What does CNA mean in AWARDS & MEDALS

To become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA), you must complete an approved CNA program through an accredited college or vocational school, which typically consists of both classroom instruction and clinical practice in healthcare settings. After completing the program requirements, you must then pass the state-approved competency exam to obtain certification as a CNA.

Certified Nurse Aides are responsible for providing basic patient care such as assisting with daily activities like bathing, dressing and grooming, taking vital signs such as temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure, collecting specimens for lab tests, helping patients move around safely to prevent injury, monitoring food intake and output levels by keeping accurate records of amounts ingested and excreted by patients. CNAs may also provide emotional support to patients.

CNAs can be found working in a variety of facilities including hospitals, long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living communities, home health agencies, hospices and rehabilitation centers.

CNAs assist RNs with providing direct patient care by performing routine tasks under their supervision; RNs have much more responsibility than CNAs since they manage patient cases, administer medications and treatments according to physician orders, monitor patient progress on multiple cases simultaneously and make decisions about patient care based on their assessments of each individual case.

The job outlook for certified nurse aides is expected to grow 11% between 2018-2028 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics; this growth reflects an aging population that requires more medical services as they grow older making these roles even more critical within our healthcare system today.