What Did Your CNA Training Teach You About Patient Falls?

As a CNA, you are a constant part of a patient’s care plan. The majority of your time is spent with the patient, caring for his or her daily needs. For this reason, it is likely that you will either directly witness a patient fall or be the first medical professional on the scene after one occurs. There are several steps that you should have learned during your CNA training that will ensure your patient’s safety:

• Call for Help - The first step is to alert the charge nurse. They have more training and will be able to help you assess the patient’s needs. If the nurse states that he or she is not available to help, find another person in charge or tell the nurse that you will stay with the patient until he or she is able to come.

• Do not move the patient - This is very important. Even the most simple falls can cause result in hidden injuries, especially in older patients. Moving a patient might make these injuries worse, and will cause the patient additional pain.

• Assist the nurse - Stay with the nurse and assist in whatever way is needed. The nurse will most likely do a neurological assessment, especially if no one witnessed the fall. You can help identify some signs of head injuries. The nurse will also check the rest of the patient’s body for signs of injuries. Provide the patient with as much privacy as possible during this kind of exam.

• After the exam - After the nurse has examined the patient, he or she will determine what action to take. You may need to help transfer the patient from the floor to the bed. The nurse will speak to the physician in charge, and the doctor will provide further instructions.

• Monitoring the patient - Although the patient may appear to be fine, the physician may request 24-48 hour monitoring . A doctor may ask you to check on the patient frequently to take vitals, see how the patient is feeling, and check for any unusual changes. Some of the changes that you may look for could include:

o   Feeling overly tired

o   Can’t be woken up

o   Headache

o   Fever

o   Changes in respiration

o   Unable to hold onto items

o   Uneven pupil size

o   Vomiting

o   Double vision

o   Dizziness

Legal Importance of Protocol Involving Patient Falls

If you don’t follow the procedures you learned during your CNA training and the protocol of your medical facility, you put your patient, your career, and even the facility you work for at risk.

Patient falls can be stressful and frightening. With the right CNA training you will be prepared for these emergencies when they occur.

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant

So you’ve made the decision to take the CNA training class to become a Certified Nursing Assistant?  Congratulation! Not only is a career as a CNA rewarding and respected part of the health care industry, but according to the Department of Labor Statistics, certified nursing assistant job opportunities are plentiful and growing at a steady pace.

Whether you are new to the work force, fresh out of high school, or looking to switch from a dead end job or unemployment to the medical field, this is an ideal position to start with. You’ll probably be surprised at the variety of work environments and education options that are available for you.

Here’s a brief overview of the role of a CNA, education options, the CNA training course itself, and a brief summary of Certified Nursing Assistant jobs.

Certified Nursing Assistant Job Overview

The CNA, also referred to as a patient care technician, is responsible for providing basic daily care and plays an essential part in meeting the day to day needs of their patients. Depending on the work environment, the duties can vary greatly, but generally include:

• Feeding or assisting during mealtime
• Changing bedding and performing light cleaning
• Assisting with grooming and dressing
• Taking and recording vital signs
• Assessing patient mood changes and daily eating habits
• Helping with bathroom duties
• Stool and urine sample collection
• Range of motion and basic physical therapy assistance
• CNAs are also expected to provide emotional support for hospital patients and nursing facility residents, since they spend more time with the patients than registered nurses or doctors.

CNA Training Opportunities

CNA training programs and requirements will differ slightly from state to state, so it’s important to contact the health care board or state board of nursing to find out the exact health care education requirements that must be met for your state. This is especially true for those considering taking a CNA training class online. Look for an accredited school that is approved by the state you plan to work in.

Other CNA training opportunities include: Red Cross CNA training, community college classes, and adult education courses. Depending on the need in your area, you may also find free CNA training offered by area nursing homes or larger hospitals in your area. Generally, free CNA training at any facility will include a contract that will tie you to employment at the facility for a certain amount of time. This can be a good thing, since you’ll have guaranteed employment once you receive your certification.

When deciding on your training, keep in mind that on-campus education offers the benefit of hands on training, access to lab facilities, and the ability to work with and learn from the instructor as well as other students. The downfall of on-campus training is the time factor involved, especially if you are working a full time job while completing your CNA training class. If you are diligent and have the self discipline required to take online courses, this type of situation will allow you the freedom to work at your own pace during hours when you are available.

Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs

There are more job opportunities for CNAs than one might think. Once you complete your training, you can find employment in the following:

• Nursing home
• Facilities for the developmentally disabled
• Hospitals and urgent care centers
• Working in the private residence of your client as a home health aide
• Adult day care centers
• Children’s hospitals
• Birthing centers

There is a great need for certified nursing assistants. If this sounds like the ideal career for you, don’t let anything stand in your way CNA training. Regardless of age, previous work experience, or financial situation, if entering the health care field is your goal, get the information you need and make it happen…and keep checking back to CNA Training Class!

Certified Nursing Assistants, or CNAs, have a world of options when it comes to what type of medical setting they wish to work in. Some choose the laid back atmosphere of an assisted living facility while others may enjoy the environment of working in a pediatrician’s office. Still others, who are able to handle a more stressful environment,  may choose to apply for work in an emergency room.

There are benefits of working as a CNA in the emergency room, that one thing is certain. And it may very well be the only thing that is certain in this environment. The biggest benefit and drawback all at the same time is the constant variety you’ll encounter. You may see a child with a cold one minute and a man with a broken arm or head trauma the next. That brings us to your first duty as an emergency room CNA: expect the unexpected.

Emergency Room CNA Duties

Your specific duties as an emergency room CNA may vary depend on where exactly you are stationed within the emergency room. You may assist in admitting patients with non-life threatening conditions by the way of documenting the complaint, taking preliminary vital signs, and asking a series of basic medical history questions.

If you are working in the emergency room triage itself, you may have a few more responsibilities. You will monitor vital signs of patients frequently and assist nurses with answering any patient call lights. If a patient requires the use of the facilities but is unable to do so alone, you will also help them to the toilet and back. It is important that you document everything you do in the patient’s chart and never attempt to complete a task for which you are not qualified.

An emergency room CNA will also be responsible for making sure each examination room is clean and ready for the next patient after one has been discharged or moved. In most instances, this will only require you to change the bed sheets and pillowcases, as well as making sure there are clean hospital gowns readily available. The maintenance staff usually handles deep cleaning of the room, although there may be times that require you to perform the duty.

Working as a CNA in the emergency room is not for the faint of heart. You will be required to stand on your feet for the vast majority of the day and shifts can be as long as 12 hours. However, you will be on the forefront of emergency medical care, usually with a very good salary as compensation. If you think this sounds like the job for you, the first step is to enroll in a CNA training course. You can find many good online schools that can help you on your way to your new career. Once you’ve completed the training, you’ll take a final exam for certification and then you’ll be ready to land that dream job and get the satisfaction from work that you crave.

Doing Your Job Effectively

Avoiding costly mistakes is one of the best things the new CNA can do. The first thing you should do in a residential facility is to find out which residents you will be working with regularly. Take the time to go over their care plans and to get to know their individual needs.

Becoming familiar with information such as allergies, likes and dislikes, dietary specifics, and other facts will help you care for the residents in a safe and confident manner.

If there is something in their care plan that you don’t understand, you’ll have time to meet with the nurse to ask questions. If the unit nurse is not available, write your questions down to go over later. If you are being mentored or trained by another CNA or staff professional, be sure to observe how they work with each resident. Observation is a key part of learning.

Priorities and Time Management for the New CNA

After you are familiar with the residents, be sure to take time at the beginning of your shift to plan out and prioritize your assignments. Prioritizing will take practice, but soon you will have developed your own personal system and be able to meet everyone’s needs.

Little things, like gathering your supplies and linens before entering a room, keeping several pairs of gloves in your pocket, and carrying a thermometer with you, are all helpful time saving tips. Investing in your own blood pressure kit instead of having to hunt one down is also helpful.

Extra Care Goes a Long Way in Keeping Residents Happy

Instead of rushing through your tasks, keep in mind that each resident needs positive interaction with their caregiver. Little things go a long way.

• Be sure to use lotion on dry skin if it is allowed.
• If a food plate gets cold, take the time to reheat it.
• Many residents will eat better if they begin with a clean mouth. Provide oral hygiene before meals.
• Meal time should be a pleasurable experience. Never force feed your residents and don’t rush through meal time. Have a conversation with them, even if they don’t respond.
• Self feeding residents sometimes have trouble keeping their plate in place. A piece of rubber shelf liner placed under their plate is a quick fix.
• A 10 inch by 10 inch square of rubber shelf liner also helps residents from slipping down into uncomfortable positions when seated on certain surfaces.
• Be the advocate. If you notice that your resident likes certain foods while refusing or spitting out others, be sure to pass this information on to the meal planners.

Tips for Peer Relations:

Here are a few quick tips to help you work well with other staff members. First, always treat others as you would like to be treated. Be gracious and helpful to those who are new and figuring things out. Offer helpful tips, but never display a superior attitude. Remember, you were the new kid on the block once.

Try not to discuss your peers with others or find fault with anyone. Instead find the good in others and offer praise.

Developing solid peer relationships will help you in the long run. When short staffed, you can buddy up with someone and take care of your workload together.

Don’t abuse your break periods or meal times. or meal breaks. Don’t carry around your cell phone at work, trying to squeeze in a text message or check your FaceBook status. You are a respected professional who has been given lives to care for. Take it seriously.

As a final note, have fun. This is your chosen career path. You may have good days and bad days, but keep a positive state of mind and remember, you are there to serve others. Everyone appreciates a positive attitude.

A certified nursing assistant trains to have the ability to assist individuals in a variety of ways. This assistance is required for those who are incapable of caring for themselves because of physical or mental conditions. A nurse assistant can assist an individual with daily maintenance in a long term care facility, nursing home, hospital or even in the home of the individual. It is recommended that you build a work history that reflects the ability to perform patient care in a variety of settings. Different settings will require the use of certain skills more often even though the duties might be the same. In addition, this working in a variety of settings will give you an idea of which environment they are most comfortable and productive in. As a certified nursing assistant becomes more familiar with the medical field, working in different settings will help him/her gain more experience in a variety of settings. This can be used a reference for deciding which areas he/she may want to specialize in later during the medical career.

Being a CNA is a job that will provide the fundamentals for nursing care. Many registered nurses begin their careers this way. In fact, many registered nurses cite their previous experience in the field as very valuable to their ability to be a good nurse. Working as a nursing aid provides a basic foundation for patient care, and this is very important for caring for people in any facility and under any specialty. Those medical professionals that begin their careers as such are more likely to have a better understanding of what is required to care for an individual basis. The foundation that is provided by working as a nursing assistant is priceless.

After obtaining the certification to work in the field, individuals should focus on increasing their skill sets. Acquiring additional certifications and obtaining more schooling will be very beneficial regardless of the path you decide to take. The development of new skills will allow you to obtain more responsibility and more pay. Many agencies also recommend that their clients continue their education; some places of employment are even willing to pay for continuing education. Many practicing CNA professionals continue working as they go to school to become practical (LPN) or registered nurses (RN’s). The foundation provided by working in the field proves to be very valuable when pursuing higher levels of education for a more advanced nursing career.

The Care-Giver

A CNA is definitely not the most glorified job in the field of nursing, no matter where they are deployed, be it a hospital, clinic, nursing home or whatever. But it is certainly one of the most vital. The daily operations carried out – the duties of a certified nursing assistant – are the basis of what drives smooth operations, and it may be a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it. The beauty of being in the front-line is that it set standards for the good well being of the patient in care.

Sick people who are helpless are in general very grateful for the smallest things, just being helped to sit comfortably, or a refreshing bed bath, feels better to some patients than any medicine in the world. Compassion and skill is what sets the CAN apart from the rest and makes them the best. It is this that helps patients enjoy a stress free recovery, or event eh last days of their lives, and being stress free, is like winning the lottery, finally you can relax! This is how important the CNA job is.

The Career

Many of the best RN’s used being a CNA as a stepping stone to enter this career, it is a fantastic entry point into a nursing career. And it doesn’t matter what job you do, having to start from the bottom rung of the ladder always stands a person in better stead in the long run. Why do you think so many big business men start their sons off in the mail-room where they start. Because it is a good life lesson and you don’t come on board with the same arrogance as a hot shot graduate might in an instant management position.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Programs

Certified Nursing Assistant Programs ensure that the trainee is ready to start working with real live patients in the shortest possible time. They are even able to teach RN graduates a thing or two about working with people when they come onto the wards for the first time after sitting in a classroom for so long.

They require a GED or High School Diploma and the completion of a 6 – 12 week CNA certification. These programs can be found online, in hospitals and at a community college. If you want to start in the “mail room” of nursing and work your way to the top, this is the way to do it. Remember all through your training, you will be salaried, by doing things this way.

CNA’s, nurse assistants, nursing aids, etc., are all charged with one primary responsibility: patient monitoring and care. Working under a licensed nurse, you are the general caregivers and assist patients in helping them with daily living activities such as bathing, eating, dressing, walking, and other procedures such as taking vital signs, intake admissions and release, other activities as well as specialized and routine care and other activities during a 24/7 shift rotation. They also give patients emotional and social support along with telling the nurse in charge about each of their assigned patients and other vital important information on a patient’s condition.

A certified nursing assistant working in a continuing care or nursing home facility must take care of the elderly or geriatric patients, as well as the disabled. Nursing home patients are there for a long time and the certified nursing assistants are their primary care giver. As a team member, you get to know your patients and develop an ongoing relationship with them in a positive and caring attitude.

The duties of a CNA in a hospital may be very different. In a hospital setting, it may involve everything from taking vital signs and recording them, to helping feed, clothe, and bathe patients, moving them between departments, and providing general monitoring and recording of their condition.

Certified nursing assistants must have to have a good bedside manner, communicate well with people and patients, act accordingly in an emergency, keen observation skills, stay calm in difficult or stressful situations and able to work with people, patients and co-workers.

A CNA must be observant and report any changes on a patient’s condition, be able to move patients and turn patients, report and to respond according to an emergency, be able have communication skills, patient and compassionate to people and to their patients.

As a certified nursing assistant you generally work a 40-hour a week, working holidays and weekends. A certified nursing assistant requires no previous experience as you are trained on the job, need a high school diploma or GED, and pass a state nursing assistant exam to become certified. A nursing assistant must complete a minimum of 75 hours state-approved training and pass a competency test and some states require a nursing assistant to be licensed.

Certified nursing assistant is not an easy field and you must be able to work with people and to give care to patients. Because nursing is such a demanding field there is a high turnaround but with experience and confidence, you find that taking care of patients in need is a very rewarding job.

The duties of a certified nursing assistant carry great responsibility, but offer great rewards as well. In terms of careers, it is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. You are a professional, in great demand, receiving good pay for your skills and services, and at the end of the day, you know you are engaged in a profession that helps others and truly makes a difference in people’s lives.

Make sure you are dressed appropriately to perform your job as a certified nursing assistant. It is required for nurse’s aides and other hospital personnel to wear scrubs. Depending on your employer you may have to wear a specific color or style but under any case scrubs are the staple for certified nursing assistants and other clinical workers in a hospital or long term care facility. Make sure to purchase enough scrubs so that you will always have a clean set to wear to work. There are many stores that offer scrubs and accessories for relatively affordable prices. Wash and press your scrubs for a neat appearance as wrinkles are unprofessional.

For those who have problems with their legs, especially when on their feet for long periods,  investing in compression hosiery to relieve calf and thigh pain from long periods of standing is highly recommended. Your footwear should be comfortable and sturdy. Open toed shoes are usually not allowed in many working environments. However, clog style nursing shoes are available and should be worn at all times with socks. Making sure that you wear the clothing that is both required and comfortable will enable you to perform you job as a certified nursing assistant with ease.

Maintaining personal hygiene really should be a part of any CNA training class, and should be something that is a goal for everyone regardless of one’s profession. Certified nursing assistants however are in the business of maintaining the daily well being of others so it is imperative that they show they are capable of maintaining their own hygiene. Take a shower or bath everyday as emitting offensive odors is not healthy nor do co-workers or your patients who share close spaces with you want to smell an unpleasant scent. Avoid wearing powerful perfumes or colognes that can make your patients nauseous or sick. Make sure to wash your hair and brush your teeth also just as you would do for the patients you care for each day. Keep you hair in a style that will make it easy to do your work. Remember you have to feed, clothe and assist patients all day you don’t want your hair to get caught on a patient’s buttons or worse end up in your patient’s food. Make sure your nails are neatly trimmed and free from dirt. Avoid wearing long nails either real or faux as they can collect germs and bacteria especially during the changing or cleaning of a patient after urination or defecation. Keep the amount of jewelry to a minimum and make sure it will not become caught on anything while handling a patient. Make yourself an example of exemplary personal hygiene each and everyday.

CNA training is intended to teach the skills needed in patient care. But taking the time to ensure that you are properly dressed and have a high level of hygiene will show that as a certified nursing assistant you are capable of maintaining the daily hygiene of a person in your care.

Make sure you are dressed appropriately to perform your job as a certified nursing assistant. It is required for nurse’s aides and other hospital personnel to wear scrubs. Depending on your employer you may have to wear a specific color or style but under any case scrubs are the staple for certified nursing assistants and other clinical workers in a hospital or long term care facility. Make sure to purchase enough scrubs so that you will always have a clean set to wear to work. There are many stores that offer scrubs and accessories for relatively affordable prices. Wash and press your scrubs for a neat appearance as wrinkles are unprofessional.

For those who have problems with their legs, especially when on their feet for long periods,  investing in compression hosiery to relieve calf and thigh pain from long periods of standing is highly recommended. Your footwear should be comfortable and sturdy. Open toed shoes are usually not allowed in many working environments. However, clog style nursing shoes are available and should be worn at all times with socks. Making sure that you wear the clothing that is both required and comfortable will enable you to perform you job as a certified nursing assistant with ease.

Maintaining personal hygiene really should be a part of any CNA training class, and should be something that is a goal for everyone regardless of one’s profession. Certified nursing assistants however are in the business of maintaining the daily well being of others so it is imperative that they show they are capable of maintaining their own hygiene. Take a shower or bath everyday as emitting offensive odors is not healthy nor do co-workers or your patients who share close spaces with you want to smell an unpleasant scent. Avoid wearing powerful perfumes or colognes that can make your patients nauseous or sick. Make sure to wash your hair and brush your teeth also just as you would do for the patients you care for each day. Keep you hair in a style that will make it easy to do your work. Remember you have to feed, clothe and assist patients all day you don’t want your hair to get caught on a patient’s buttons or worse end up in your patient’s food. Make sure your nails are neatly trimmed and free from dirt. Avoid wearing long nails either real or faux as they can collect germs and bacteria especially during the changing or cleaning of a patient after urination or defecation. Keep the amount of jewelry to a minimum and make sure it will not become caught on anything while handling a patient. Make yourself an example of exemplary personal hygiene each and everyday.

CNA training is intended to teach the skills needed in patient care. But taking the time to ensure that you are properly dressed and have a high level of hygiene will show that as a certified nursing assistant you are capable of maintaining the daily hygiene of a person in your care.

Bedsores can occur for a variety of reasons. For patients that have little or no mobility bedsores occur from prolonged pressure on a particular area. Because of the pressure the affected area is deprived of oxygen and the tissue and muscle of that area begin to deteriorate.

Other factors that cause bedsores are repeated friction on a particular body part and incontinence and improper cleaning of the area. There are particular people who are more at risk for developing bedsores. People who are diabetic and have circulatory problems are at an increased risk since their circulation is already compromised.

People who are paralyzed and cannot feel pain in particular are at a higher risk for bedsores because they cannot feel the discomfort that is usually associated with this condition. It is the responsibility of certified nursing assistants to prevent and treat bedsores promptly.

Preventing bedsores should be the goal of a certified nursing assistant. Bedsores are very painful and can be difficult to treat depending on the patient’s condition so prevention is the key. Nursing assistants are trained to prevent bedsores by providing around the clock attention to their patients. One of the first methods to preventing a bedsore is to rotate the patient on a regular basis. For patients that are immobile this is particularly important and this should be a team effort by all CNAs assigned to take care of a patient on all shifts.

Rotation ensures that all areas of the body are receiving proper circulation and that pressure doesn’t build on one area of the body for too long. Placing a sheet beneath the patient that can be grasped on both ends can assist in the rotation. Another method for preventing bedsores is to reduce moisture on the skin. Patients should not be allowed to lie in their waste. This is unacceptable and inhumane and certified nursing assistants should be diligent in changing their patients on a regular schedule. Improper cleanliness can result in the breakdown of a patient’s skin. Use of ointments such as petroleum jelly or A&D ointment can aide in preventing bedsores.  When drying a patient after changing blot the area with a dry cloth instead of rubbing as this may cause irritation. Other methods of preventing bedsores include using medical pads to reduce friction from movement and providing the patient with adequate nutrients is helpful.

Given that bedsores are preventable, it is disturbing when so many patients suffer the results of improper maintenance and care. It is the job of the certified nursing assistant to monitor a patient’s skin care each day and make sure that any changes are noted to a nurse so that proper treatment can be initiated.