Step One- Certified Nursing Assistant

You have probably heard of a Certified Nursing Assistant if you have contemplated becoming a nurse. While not all nurses start their careers this way, a good majority of them do. It is a great way to start to learn how hospitals work. It is also a cost-effective way to decide if you want to really purse a nursing profession before you start on a degree.



Nursing assistants play a tremendous role in the healthcare team. You may have heard the saying “Behind every good Doctor is a nurse saving his butt”... well the same holds true for a nursing assistant to a nurse. In today’s healthcare, that is often understaffed and fast-paced, the CNA’s role is ever increasing.

So what does a CNA do?

CNAs are usually responsible for some or all of the following activities with their patients:

• Getting Vital Signs and documenting them
• Getting blood sugars as scheduled (per the nurse)
• Bathing patients
• Helping patients ambulate or get out of bed
• Passing food trays (sometimes)
• Turning patients as instructed by the nurse
• Drawing Blood
• Inserting Foleys
• post-mortem care
• and so much more

As you can see from the list, becoming a certified nursing assistant is a valid way to learn how to manage your time and what to expect when it comes time for you to be the nurse.

After taking the class, you will need to take the CNA competency test and then register with your state. In some states this is through the department of health and in others it is through the board of nursing. If you are having trouble locating your state’s registry, try typing “nurse aid registry and your state” into the google search. Registry

For more information on certified nursing assistants click here. You will be taken to an outstanding and comprehensive site about CNAs.

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