Become a Nurse Assistant

If you enjoy helping other people, a career in the medical field might be for
you. The field is always in demand of qualified compassionate individuals who
are willing to put forth their best efforts to help others. A Nurse Assistant
is an entry level position that will allow you the opportunity to help others
and gain experience in the medical field.

Since Nurse Assistants are needed throughout the Nation, you will be able to
secure employment opportunities most anywhere. Job security is very high in
most areas of the medical field. The training programs to earn your certificate
all vary depending on state regulations. However, most can be completed in four
to six weeks on average. The cost of such programs is very low.

If you need assistance with the cost of the course, many programs offer
scholarships or financial aid. In addition, many community agencies such as
Human Services will assist you with the cost of completing such a training
course. Some employers in the medical field will agree to either pay for your
Nurse Assistant training or reimburse you upon successful completion of the
program.

Most Nurse Assistant programs start every six to eight weeks. It will depend on
the length of the course and the interest in your particular area. This is
different than most certificate programs where you have to wait until a full
semester ends before you can enroll. Sometimes that can mean a three or four
month waiting period.

During your Nurse Assistant training, you will attend a classroom learning
environment as well as receive hands on training. The hands on training
requires you to complete a certain number of hours, called clinicals, working
at a medical facility with actual patients. All of your work will be overseen
by trained professionals who with assist you with the proper procedures and
medical understanding.

The combination of classroom learning and clinicals will result in you being
well prepared to enter the job market as a Nursing Assistant. Often, the
medical site that oversees the clinicals will offer employment to those
students who are learning well, following procedures for their facility, and
who have a positive attitude.

Working as a Nurse Assistant can be very exciting and rewarding for the right
person. The work is challenging and you may find yourself over extended at
times. Things in a medical setting will change all the time, so the job
definitely isn't predictable. There are so many variables including the
patients, then number of patients, other staff, and the medical needs of the
patients that you work day with never be predictable.

While being a Nurse Assistant is an entry level position, it is also a very
important position. You will be responsible for many daily living tasks for
each patient. These tasks include bathing, grooming feeding, and checking their
vital signs. You will also be responsible for assisting with medical equipment
and moving patients as needed. The exact requirements of the position will vary
depending on the facility you work for. Becoming a Nurse Assistant generally
does not take very long. You will continue to learn about your role as a Nurse
Assistant once you secure employment. You will be exposed to medical
information and procedures by the rest of the staff. This information will be 
very valuable. Many people choose to use the role of Nursing Assistance as a 
foundation to continue their education and become a Nurse or to explore other 
types of employment in the medical field.

Why Choose to Become a Nurse Assistant?

With so many possible careers to choose from, why choose to become a Nurse
Assistant? It is a very exciting career that offers you the chance to work with
people and to work in the medical profession. You will be able to work at a
variety of medical facilities all over the Nation. Nurse assistants are in high
demand, so securing employment is often very easy.

Being a Nurse Assistant is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys helping
other people. There is a lot of pride in this profession, and it is
understandable. After all, at the end of the day, how many of us can truly say
we spent our day helping others on the road to being about to help themselves.
It is a rewarding career.

A Nurse Assistant is a great bridge between the patients and the Nursing staff.
In addition to taking great care in providing all patients with quality
assistance with basic needs, a Nurse Assistance is able to offer patients and
their families emotional support. The Nursing staff depends on the Nurse
Assistants to properly report vital signs for all patients, to check on the
patients regularly, assistance with setting up medical equipment, and to help
move patients when necessary.

While some people view a Nurse Assistant as lower level staff, the Nurses in
any medical facility appreciate and understand just how vital nursing
Assistants are for them to be able to provide a high level of care. With
shortages of medial staff in most all facilities, Nurse Assistants take care of
many important issues that allow the Nursing staff to focus on larger issues
that need to be addressed.

For those of you who do not enjoy the same routine day after day, being a Nurse
Assistant offers you a job where things change daily. While the basic
fundamentals of what you need to accomplish remain the same, what takes place
on any given day will never be predictable.

Being a Nurse Assistant is not a position that just anyone is willing or able
to do. It takes a special type of person to be able to complete their tasks
with compassion, dedication, and patience on a daily basis. It also takes a
passionate desire to help others. You need to have excellent communication
skills. You will be required to communicate with the patients, their families,
and numerous other medical staff members.

Since Nurse Assistants help patients with their basic needs including bathing,
eating, and getting dressed; the patients sometimes display their feelings of
resentment and anger at needing such assistance towards the Nursing Assistants.
This sometimes exposes Nursing Assistants to physical and emotional abuse.

It is important that you understand this can happen, and take steps to reduce
the risk and the effects of such occurrences. All medical facilities have
procedures in place for dealing with such issues. It is important that you take
the time to make yourself familiar with such polices and procedures. Choosing to
become a Nurse Assistant is a decision to be a dedicated and helpful member of
society on a daily basis. Throughout your career in this type of position, you
will touch the lives of many forever. It is your responsibility to ensure that
every patient in your care feels like they were important to you and not just
another face for you to see throughout your day.

Being a Nursing Assistant can lead to a Career as a Nurse

A Nursing Assistant certificate allows you the opportunity to secure employment
at entry level in the medical field. This position requires compassion and
dedication to assisting others. It also requires a high level of effective
communication as well as attention for detail. Most people entering the Nursing
Assistant profession find it to be a rewarding and challenging career. However,
many choose to use it as a building block for becoming a Nurse.

The program for becoming a Nursing Assistant is very fast compared with the
time it takes to earn a degree in Nursing. Therefore, many see it as a logic
choice to gain experience in the medical field. It is an excellent idea for
those that aren't sure if Nursing is for them. It is better to spend four to
twelve weeks in training to find out then to spend two or more years working on
a Nursing degree.

There are individuals who must maintain employment while pursuing their
education degree for financial reasons. For individuals in this position,
completing the Nursing Assistant program offers them a way to secure employment
that is related to what they are going to school for.

Others choose to advance their career once they have been working as a Nurse
Assistant because they see many of the tasks Nurses are responsible for. It is
a level of responsibility they wish to acquire. Since they work so closely with
the Nursing staff, it is a perfect opportunity to explore more of what takes
place. Others have a sincere desire to further their education, but for a
variety of reasons have not been able to.

There is a significant pay difference between working as a Nursing Assistant
and having a degree as a Nurse. The dollar amount varies based on location, but
on average the difference is $4 to $9 per hour more. It doesn't take long at all
for the overall income difference to be seen. Nursing assistants often decide
that they want to work in the medical field, but definitely want to be paid
more for their work. Of course, the level of responsibility differs greatly
between a Nursing Assistant and a Nurse.

Working at a medical facility as a Nursing Assistant can work to your advantage
when you decide to pursue a degree in Nursing. It might help you get into the
program if there is more interest in the program than enrollment opportunities.

Due to the continuous demand for qualified trained professionals in the area of
Nursing, most medical facilities will support you in your efforts to further
your education. They will often adjust your work schedule to accommodate you
whenever possible.

Tuition assistance programs are offered by many employers in the medical field.
They work in a variety of ways. Some will cover a percentage of your tuition;
others will pay up to a particular dollar amount. Often, you will be required
to agree to work for them for a particular length of time or have to reimburse
them for any tuition paid on your behalf. Others won't pay anything while you
are attending school, but will offer tuition reimbursement upon completion of
your Nursing degree.

Another advantage of working as a Nursing Assistant prior to obtaining your
degree in Nursing is you will have an edge over other recent graduates. You
will have work experience to offer in combination with your degree while many
others will only have their degree.

Employers like to maintain their quality employees. If you are able to show
outstanding work ethic as a Nursing Assistance, it is very likely they will
offer you a position as a Nurse upon your completion of your degree. This often
depends on the job openings at the medical facility you work for.

Your certificate and work experience as a Nurse Assistant can help make career
opportunities appear. It may peak your interest in returning to school to work
on your Nursing degree for a variety of reasons. It can help you be accepted to
a Nursing program, as well as help you secure employment after completing your
Nursing degree.

Duties of a Nursing Assistant

Most of us are familiar with Nursing Assistants, but we don't really know all
that is required for them to complete their work efficiently and of the best
quality. Time restraints can often make it difficult to decide to do a job
better or to get more done. Thus, having an outstanding work ethic is of the
utmost importance.

Nursing Assistants must also have excellent communication skills. They are
required to have interactions with patients, family members, Nurses, and a
variety of other medical professionals. It is imperative that they are able to
effectively reply and communication that needs to take place with these various
types of individuals.

It is widely known that Nursing Assistants provide basic are for patients
including feeding, bathing, and dressing. However, this is just the tip of the
iceberg when you take a look at all the various duties involved in being an
effective Nurse Assistant. While the specific duties will vary according to the
medical facility you work for, there are some that are found in most every one.

Bathing is generally either a shower or a bed bath depending on the level of
care the patient requires. Personal hygiene including combing hair, brushing
teeth, applying makeup, cleaning dentures all needs to be done for each
individual patient. Shaving is also to be taken into consideration, and
completed as needed.

Taking patients vital signs are a daily requirement of Nursing Assistants.
Taking vital signs includes temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood
pressure. This information that is recorded on the patients chart, and reviewed
by the Nursing staff and other medical professionals.

For patients requiring assistance with eating, the routine can take 20-60
minutes depending on the abilities of the patient and how much food they
consume. The Nursing Assistant needs to document the type of food and drink
consumed and the quantities of each on the patient's chart. Some patients will
need to take vitamins and other nutritional supplements, also the duty of the
Nursing Assistant to administer.

It is also the duty of the Nursing Assistant in many medical facilities to be
responsible for getting those who can feed themselves ready to be taken to the
dining area. This may just be having their grooming done or helping to lift
them into a wheelchair and take them to the dining area.

Nursing assistants will need to change any bedding or other soiled materials if
found on the patient. This is a case by case basis and will vary each day. While
interacting with the patient, you will need to document their behaviors. It is
important that you notify the Nurse on duty if you see any changes that are
unexpected or not generally seen. You will be trained in what to look for.

Keeping a sharp eye for details will assist any Nursing Assistant with
successfully performing all duties. Caring for people changes because their
needs change as well as those you are caring for changes. How quickly you are
caring for new patients depends on the type of medical facility you work for.

In addition to performing all of these essential duties, Nursing Assistants are
responsible for providing emotional support to patients and their families. This
can be helping patients feel comfortable with their surroundings, hanging a
photo on the wall for them, or helping them compose a letter. Family members
may want you to certain things for a patient such as braid their hair daily or
keep their fingernails short.

Performing all the duties of a Nursing Assistant takes practice, dedication,
organization, and a sincere desire to help others. It can be an exhausting
effort on some days, and often a job no one thanks them for doing. However, for
those who enjoy what they do and take pride in it, we need to stop and see all
that they do in a days work. They provide valuable services to patients and the
medical profession.

Work as a Nursing Assistant Offers Opportunity to Explore Medical Field

Employment as a Nursing Assistant offers you a unique opportunity to explore
many avenues of the medical field. You will primarily be working with the
patients, their families, and the Nursing staff. However, it is not uncommon
that you will have interactions with many other areas including physicians,
X-Ray, surgery, specialists, and emergency staff.

Since you will be working with so many types of individuals, having quality
communication skills is a vital quality to have for being an effective Nursing
Assistant. You will be responsible for meeting the basic needs of your patients
including feedings, bathing, and dressing. They level of care with vary
depending on the individual needs of the patient. In addition, you will be
providing them and their family with emotional support.

Your position will involve working closely with the Nursing staff on a daily
basis. This will be the medical professionals you deal with the most. From
providing vitals for all patients to offering assistance with whatever comes
up, the nursing staff needs to know they can rely on you. This means showing up
as scheduled, completing your tasks to the best of your ability, paying
attention to detail, and being willing to work as part of a time.

Depending on the type of medical facility you work in, physicians of the
patients may be stopping in to check on them. They often as questions of the
Nursing Assistant. For some, this is intimidating. If a physician is asking you
for information on a patient, take it as a compliment. Physicians often
recognize Nursing Assistants as having more one on one interactions with the
patients. Therefore, things that you observe can help them with treating the
patient.

For example, a doctor may prescribe a new medication. You will be able to let
the physician know if the appetite of the patient has changed as well as if the
patient's level of being coherent has changed.

Working in the medical profession, you will be exposed to a variety of other
staff from different medical fields. This is because of the changes in the
needs of your patients. You may be asked to take patients to X-Rays or to help
get them prepared to be moved to the surgery unit. There will be an array of
specialists checking on patients, again based on the individual needs of those
you are serving.

Working with emergency staff is very important. Their interactions can make all
the different in some situations. It is vital that you are trained on when
emergency staff should be called. You need to have detailed information of
where to call, who to call, and what information to give them. This should all
be secured prior to any event actually happening.

In this type of situation, you will need to work with emergency staff to
provide information. Anything you can tell them about the events that occurred
as well as the events before the incident took place can be of importance.

The role of a Nursing Assistant is one of many hats. You will have the
opportunity to provide quality care for patients as well as be exposed to many
other arenas of the medical field. The more you are able to effectively
communicate with these other professionals, the better service you will be
providing to those in your care.

The Pay Scale for Nursing Assistants

Nursing Assistants are a valuable part of our medical facility staff. They
offer ongoing care to patients at level most other staff don't have the time
to. They tend to basic needs of bathing, feeding, and dressing. They also
provide emotional support to the patient and the family. Nursing Assistants are
expected to help other medical staff at a moments notice with a variety of tasks
including setting up medical equipment and getting patients ready to be taken
for X-rays and surgery.

Most people entering the Nursing Assistant field don't do it for the pay. They
do it out of a desire to be of assistance to others in need as well as a desire
to work in the medical field. Since medical facilities rank Nursing Assistant as
an entry level position, they pay is very low compared to others, especially
nurses. This can lead to some Nursing Assistants feeling angry, upset, and
unappreciated.
The median expected salary for a Nursing Assistant in the United States is
$24,383. On average, that is approximately $2,000 per month. That amount varies
by experience and job location. As you can see, it does pay more than minimum
wage and often employees in this field are able to secure health insurance and
retirement plans.

However, when you compare that to the median salary of a Licensed Practical
Nurse, which is $43,333, you can see a huge different. While it is understood
that the Licensed Practical Nurse position holds more responsibility and well
as requires more schooling and training, we can also see why some Nursing
Assistants feel that they aren't earning enough. It is also common that the
better a Nursing Assistant is paid, the more pride they take in offering
quality services to all patients.

Many health care facilities understand this, and work hard to keep Nursing
Assistants content. They try to give raises as they can for performance as well
as the length of time on the job. They understand that Nursing Assistants are
vital to the overall balance of the Nursing staff. They also realize finding
qualified employees is hard enough without having to continually interview and
train new staff. Since Nursing Assistant jobs are plentiful, they can lose
their good employees to other facilities who offer better pay.

Due to the pay difference, some individuals choose to go to school directly
into a degree program and skip the Nursing Assistant certificate program all
together. For those wanting to ease in the doorway of the medical profession
and those who need the income while in school, the Nursing Assistant program is
still very valuable to them in terms of having an income and being in a learning
environment of the medical field.

The pay scale difference can often result in issues arising between Nursing
Assistants and the Nursing staff. On one side, you have Nursing staff feeling
that they have a degree and shouldn't have to participate in particular tasks.
Others just are overwhelmed by time restraints, and therefore keep their job
segregated from that of the Nursing Assistants. On the other side you have
Nursing Assistants who feel their tasks are harder and they aren't getting paid
nearly as much as the Nursing staff. This can lead to them developing feelings
of resentment towards the Nursing staff. This being said, it is important for
administration to help both the Nursing staff and Nursing Assistants interact
and appreciate each other.

Seeing that pay difference as well as wanting to participate in more advances
areas with the patients has lead many Nursing Assistants back into training to
earn a degree as a Licensed Practice Nurse, a Registered Nurse, or another
specified area in the medical field.

Medical facilities and the government agree that when medical staff is short,
the patients are the ones who suffer the most. It is no different in the area
of Nursing Assistant. If they positions aren't filled, the patients may not get
all of their needs met daily. For example, some nursing homes only bathe the
patients every other day because of short staff issues.

The government is trying to find funding to help increase the rate of pay for
Nursing Assistants. However, they feel that they pay isn't the only issue. It
is believed that healthcare facilities need to start showing Nursing Assistants
more respect, appreciation, and recognition for their hard work. This profession
has one of the highest turn over rates do to demanding work conditions, feelings
of being under valued, and lower pay than most feel they are worth. The result
is healthcare facility patients feeling the burden in part because of the pay
scale for Nursing Assistants.

Nursing Assistant Licensing Requirements

For those interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, obtaining your
certification as a Nursing Assistance can be exactly what you are looking for.
While the specifications for licensing vary by state, all programs have basic
elements. First, you must be able to pass a background check. This is for the
safety of all patients and other staff. Some states only look at felony
convictions, while others look for reckless behaviors including harassment,
domestic violence, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Most programs
also require a GED or High School diploma.

Nursing Assistant programs are generally run by healthcare facilities and local
colleges. Contact any such facility for a listing of up coming classes in your
area. Generally, the courses run from four weeks to twelve weeks in length. You
will be required to complete a set amount of hours of classroom time as well as
a set amount of hours of clinicals. These clinicals are hands on practice that
takes place at a medical facility. You will not be paid for your hours worked
during this training program. Federal law requires a minimum of 75 hours in any
program, all of which must be supervised by a qualified Registered Nurse.

Upon completing all of your classroom hours and clinical training, you will
then be required to take a Certified Nursing Assistant exam. This exam is held
periodically throughout each state. Some agencies will allow you to secure
employment as a Nursing Assistant during that period of time between completing
the program and your scheduled exam. Often, verification of program completion
and verification that you are registered to take the test are sufficient.

This comprehensive exam is made up of two parts, written and clinical. The
written part of the test is said to be mainly common sense. The clinical
portion will require you to perform a number of techniques that you will be
using in your job. You Nursing Assistant program instructor will inform you of
items you should be well skilled in for the exam. In addition, forming your own
study group and taking online practice tests can help you feel confident as the
date of the test arrives.

The Nursing Assistant licensing requirements are designed to ensure everyone
obtaining a certification from the program is properly trained in policies and
procedures. Precautions are taken for the safety of the patients, their
families, and other medical staff members. It is important to understand that
the program will only help you to learn the basics of the job. The specific job
requirements will depend on the facility you are working for. You will receive
either orientation or on the job training at each medical facility you begin
employment with in the area of Nursing Assistant.

With the demand for Nursing Assistants very high right now, it is an excellent
career to pursue. The demand is anticipated to continue growing, with the
biggest demands being in facilities caring for the elderly. This is the result
of people living longer on average.

If you have any questions about the Nursing Assistant licensing requirements in
your state, contact your state Medical Board by phone or online. The interest
also provides you will additional information on licensing, classes, and career
development in the area of Nursing Assistant.

Nursing Assistant College Options

Now what you have decided to start looking into a career as a nursing assistant
you will want to consider your options for obtaining the education you need to
go into your newly chosen field.

There are many options to consider when deciding to go into nursing assisting
as a career choice. Many city and state level colleges will offer programs to
help you start as a Nursing assistant however one of the more popular methods
for obtaining a nursing assistant certification is through a vocational or
career training school.

Some of the more popular Nursing training schools are St. Augustine Educational
Services which can be found at http://nursingassistant.us, Concorde career
colleges which can be found at www.Concorde.edu, and also another very popular
school is Bryman college at www.Go2BrymanCollege.com

While you can expect to make good money as a Nursing assistant, some of the
schooling to get you started will be an expense that you need to seriously
consider and plan for.

During the research that we did when writing this article we found that on
average Nursing assistant school vocational colleges ranged between $2500 and
$6,000 to give you the certification that you need to get started right away. A
few schools have all expenses included however others do have material fees of
up to $2500 which will want to be considered when making your choice an
educational institution.

A few schools such as American career colleges www.americancareer.info offer
not only Nursing assistant educations but also dental assistant,
pharmaceutical, x-ray, and nursing educations all under one roof. One of these
type schools might be a great choice for you if you're not 100% sure that a
career as a Nursing assistant is your final destination. By going to a college
or career center that offers multiple medical field positions you will be
putting yourself in a great position to see exactly what all of your options
are when considering a career in the health industry.

A school such as this also would be a great place to continue your education
after receiving your certification a Nursing assistant, to possibly move up to
a carrer as a RN or even possibly continue your education in the future to
become a doctor.

Starting now and an industry that is growing as rapidly as the health care
industry is in today's world is a great way to insure you will have the skills
necessary to maintain an excellent career in the health field.

With the skills you are about to learn as a nursing assistant you'll find jobs
are not hard to find if you are skilled and professional at your newfound craft.

There's a great sense of self-satisfaction to be had in knowing that you're
doing something that helps other people and improves the quality of life for
many.

One area to consider if you like children is to specialize in medical practices
that cater specifically to children. Specialized practices like this are a great
way to carve yourself into a niche area of the market that is always guaranteed
to be highly profitable and busy.

Working with children can be one of the most rewarding parts of a nursing
career and I highly recommend it as a specialty area for anyone considering a
career in dentistry that also has a fondness of children.

So whether you're deciding to go into nursing assistant career college as just
a stepping stone for a career as a Nurse or doctor, or if working as a Nursing
assistant is to be your final destination I want to say congratulations on your
choice to look into the Nursing assistant field and may have much success in
your endeavors.

Prepare for the Certified Nursing Assistant Exam

Pursing a certificate as a Nursing Assistant is a very exciting adventure. The
curriculum generally lasts from four to twelve weeks depending on the
requirements in your state. Federal regulations require a minimum of seventy
five hours of training. You Nursing Assistant course will be composed of
classroom training, practicing what you learned on mannequins and each other,
and clinicals that involve working with actual clients in a medical facility
under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

Upon completing your certification, you will be required to take the Certified
Nursing Assistant Exam. Most states require you to sign up for the test within
ninety days of completing all course work. Your program is set up to
specifically teach you the fundamentals you will need on the job as well as to
pass the exam. It is your responsibility to ask for clarification of any areas
you are unsure of prior to taking the Nursing Assistant exam.

While the Certified Nursing Assistant Exam requirements will vary from state to
state, most are very similar in structure and content. The test is made up of
two parts -- written and clinical. The written portion of the test will contain
questions about basic concepts and procedures. Your course textbooks and class
notes are excellent studying resources.

The clinical portion of the exam requires you to demonstrate anywhere from
three to five Nursing Assistant skills you should have mastered during your
program. You will need to perform these skills for a state examiner who will be
watching your every move. These skills involve hand washing, privacy, dignity,
providing a bed pan, re-positioning a patient in their bed, grooming, taking a
patient's temperature, and completing a linen change with the occupant still in
the bed.

While hand washing, privacy, and dignity may all seem like common sense areas
to many of us, they are very important. Since most communicable diseases can be
eliminated by proper hand washing, this skill is absolutely necessary. Providing
all patients with privacy and dignity are the cornerstone of any area of the
medical profession. They are relevant to the many duties of Nursing Assistants.

Most people are very nervous about this portion of the test, but practicing
correct processed during your program and on your own will help you be
prepared. Forming study groups with classmates is an excellent way to practice
for both the written and clinical portions of the test. There are also study
guides available and online practice tests.

The state examiner understands that exams are stressful and make people
nervous. They will be watching to see how you react under stress and pressure
because these skills are also important for Nursing Assistants to acquire.

Passing your Nursing Assistant exam is very important. Some employers will hire
you once you have completed the program, but you must provide verification that
you also passed your state exam within a specified timeframe to maintain that
employment. Most states will allow you to find out right after the exam if you
have passed or not. You will have the opportunity to retest if you don't pass
the first time. There are rules regarding how many times you can take the test,
the length of time between each testing, and the cost to retest. These things
all vary by state guidelines.

Precautions Nursing Assistants Should Take

Being a Nursing Assistant is a very rewarding career for those who choose to
enter the medical field with a thirst for knowledge and a dedication to helping
others. Your Nursing Assistant course, clinicals, and trainings often don't
prepare you for precautions you need to take. Most employers don't either.
Therefore it is the responsibility of every Nursing Assistant to learn about
them on their own.

One of the hardest parts of being a Nursing Assistant is taking direction from
many other staff on the medical team. They are to report directly to the
Nursing staff. It is not uncommon for each Nurse to have a slightly different
way they want things to be done. This makes the job of the Nursing Assistant
even more challenging. You need to be willing to stand up for yourself and the
other Nursing Assistants.

If this type of issue is ongoing in the medical facility you work at, go to the
charge Nurse. Explain why the changes among the Nursing staff are confusing and
counter productive. Most charge Nurses will look into the situation, and help
put policies, procedures, and trainings into place so that all staff knows
exactly how something needs to be done.

Nursing Assistants are often required to life patients while bathing, dressing,
or even getting them ready to go eat. It is important that you are properly
trained in this procedure, or you can injury your back or other body parts. You
also run the risk of causing injury to the patient. Since medical facilities are
often short staffed, Nursing Assistants try to lift patients alone when they
know they are to have a partner assist them. This is dangerous to your health,
to your patient, and to your job security. Never cut corners on such practices
no matter how much time they save you.

Communicable diseases are very important to avoid as a Nursing Assistance. You
will likely be trained in communicable diseases both in your Nursing Assistant
training and your employment orientation. However, it is important to remember
that most communicable diseases are spread through bodily fluids. No matter how
tight your time schedule is, if you find a patient has soiled their clothing or
bed, make sure you use rubber gloves, clean the area properly including using a
disinfectant, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This will help
reduce you risk of infection from communicable diseases.

Many patients who require the care of a Nursing Assistant don't want it. This
can lead to a variety of feelings including depression, being upset, anger, and
hatred. Often, this mix of feelings gets released onto the Nursing Assistant.
You may find yourself receiving verbal abuse and sometimes physical abuse from
patients as a result. It is very important that you deal with this type of
situation immediately. For verbal abuse, tell the patient you understand they
are upset but that you are there to help them with: then proceed to tell them
what you will be assisting with. Leave the room if they continue to be in that
state of mind. Report the incident according to your employer's policies.

Physical abuse is more dangerous than emotional abuse. Patients need to
understand that it will not be tolerated under any circumstances. If you have
to defend yourself, yell for help or call out a code word according to your
employer's policies. It is vital that you report any incident of physical abuse
immediately to your supervisor. Document the incident including what took place,
the type of physical abuse, and any self defense holds or moves you did to
protect yourself. This becomes important if the patient later claims you abused
them.

Avoiding burnout is another key area for Nursing Assistants to be aware of.
This is the result of continually feeling overwhelmed by your job duties. The
medical field ranks number one in the area of job burnout. It is important that
you pay attention to burnout and these other precautions. This will enable you
to further enjoy your employment as a Nursing Assistant.

Patient Rights Nursing Assistants Need to be Aware of

Nursing assistants take great care in providing patients with the best possible
care. They assist with meeting their basic needs on whatever level that
particular patient needs. Nursing assistants often have to make informed
decisions for the patients they care for. However, it is very important for all
Nursing Assistants to be aware of rights of all patients. Nursing assistants
need to familiarize themselves with these rights and respect them.

Patients have the right to be fully informed at the time of admission and
throughout their stay in the facility. As the Nursing Assistant, you may be
asked questions by patients that you are not qualified to answer. Acknowledge
this with the patient, let them know who can answer their question, and
document the information in their chart. Most information given to patients and
their family will come directly from the doctor or the charge Nurse.

All patients have the right to refuse treatment. This can be difficult for
Nursing Assistants as they really want to be as helpful to the patient as
possible. However, if they do not want your assistance you can't force them.
You must report this to your supervisor as well as document the information in
the patient's chart.

If a patient is not happy with the care they are receiving, they have the right
to inquire about grievance procedures and file a complaint. If a patient voices
a complaint to you, provide them with the information to file a formal
complaint. The policies and procedures for doing so will vary be medical
facility.

Patients shall not encounter physical or mental abuse from anyone while staying
in a medical facility. This includes chemical and physical restraints. Any such
incidents shall be reported by the Nursing Assistant immediately to the
supervisor, and often the local police department.

It is the duty of all Nursing Assistants to provide each patient with
confidentiality and dignity. They should be treated with respect and privacy in
regards to their personal information. Keeping anything you find out in the
medical setting confined to other professionals who must know the situation is
the best advice.

Patients have the right to participate in the religion of their choice. They
are allowed to have visitors from the Church as well as private visitors as
long as it does not interfere with medical advice. The Nursing Assistant must
learn to work the needs of the patient around such visits.

Providing quality care to individuals is a very rewarding challenge to Nursing
Assistants. Keep in mind that each patient has their own personality, desires,
and needs. They want these to continue being met even while they are in a
medical facility. This allows them to maintain a routine and sense of normalcy.
The longer you care for a patient, the better you will understand how to best
care for them.

It is difficult to balance the medical needs of a patient with their own
personal desires. However, it is possible to provide both by respecting the
patient's rights. This will ensure that they understand and denied requests are
done purely in the best interest of their well being. Nursing Assistants are
often considered an ally by patients. They help reduce any issues between the
patient and Nursing staff as well as the patient and physician.

Patient Abuse by Nursing Assistants

We have all heard horror stories of patient abuse by Nursing Assistants. This
takes shape in many forms including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional
abuse, and theft. Most medical facilities Nationwide are taking precautions
against such abuse occurring, including completing background checks. In some
states, you can't work as a Nursing Assistant if you have any charges relating
to domestic violence, harassment, or drunk driving because it is possible such
behaviors can escalate in the work environment.

Many organizations complain that Nursing Assistants aren't properly looked into
because the demand is so great in the industry. As a result, some employers are
lowering the background check expectations. However, many states are holding
the employer responsible when such abuse occurs, so this will likely help to
curb that process.

Sexual abuse charges by Nursing Assistants are taken very seriously. Such
sexual abuse reports include allegations of inappropriate touching and sexual
intercourse. It is most commonly found to take place with male Nursing
Assistants with those they are responsible for bathing. It is the
responsibility of Nurses to routinely make a surprise visit into the area where
a Nursing Assistant is alone with a patient. This will help convey the message
that their endeavors may be interrupted and caught.

Physical abuse by Nursing Assistants is often hard to prove unless it has been
witnessed or bruises appear. Often this type of abuse is conducted by Nursing
Assistants who are not satisfied with their job. They are easily upset,
frustrated, and overwhelmed. Some abuse their patients as a method of teaching
them that they think some of their behaviors are inappropriate. For example,
some patients have reported being hit for soiling their clothes and bedding.
This often goes unreported in elderly populations as they become very afraid.

Verbal abuse is one of the most common types of abuse by Nursing Assistants. It
can be simple teasing, belittling, or threats. Often this type of behavior stems
out of control issues and the desire to have a more important job.

Theft is the number one reported type of abuse by Nursing Assistants. In can
include cash, food, jewelry, and even dietary supplements. In medical
facilities, such theft can be hard to prove who did it because the patient
comes into contact with so many individuals who work in the facility.

While most Nursing Assistants do their job with as much energy and work ethic
as humanly possible, there are those who give the entire profession a bad name.
It is sad when you think about it -- when is the last time a Nursing Assistant
who did a good job made National headlines? Yet let one fall out of line, and
you will hear it on the TV, radio, and the internet continuously.

The Nursing Assistant profession can be very difficult. It takes a very
particular type of individual to be able to meet the requirements. Employers
have a responsibility to protect all the patients. This requires money and time
to be spent on extensive background checks and training. It also requires
workshops and ongoing training for all staff members. Everyone should know
signs of abuse to be watching for and how to report them. Abuse by Nursing
Assistants will be prosecuted by law. Anyone going into the profession needs to
be made very aware of that.

Nursing Assistant Relationships with Other Staff

To be an effective Nursing Assistant, you must have excellent communication
skills. You will be communicating throughout your daily activities with
patients, their family and friends, and an array of medical staff. You will
work directly with the Nursing staff. This will be a very important area to
develop strong relationships in. You will also be communicating with
physicians, X-Ray technicians, lab staff, surgery units, and emergency
services. Therefore, it is very important that you continually work on your
communication style and effectiveness. Your job will be much easier if you are
able to establish good relationships with other staff members.

As a Nursing Assistant, you will be overseen by the Nursing staff. They will
depend on your to report accurate information on patient charts. You need to be
sure you are documenting what they ate and how much, their vital signs, and any
changes you notice. If you think something requires immediate attention from a
Nurse, then you need to be able to communicate that message effectively. You
also need to feel comfortable going to the Nursing staff for assistance and
questions as the need arises.

Since Nursing Assistants have far more one on one interactions with patients,
other staff often depends on their observations to assist them. It is very
common for Nurses and Doctors to ask the Nursing Assistant about sudden changes
in a patient's behavior. Therefore, paying attention to detail is very
important. You will want to pay attention to your instincts that something is
wrong and report it immediately to the proper staff member.

In the ideal working environment, Nursing Assistants are valued for their
contributions to the medical field. They are respected by the other staff and
informed of changes and important decisions. However, in many medical
facilities, Nursing Assistants are frustrated because they feel they aren't in
the loop. The often complain of being left in the dark as to what is taking
place among other staff members. The biggest complaint is with the Nurses.

Nursing Assistants claim that when they have tried to explain patient
information to Nursing staff, they are dismissed as if they aren't credible
because they don't have the education to determine such information. They also
feel that they report all changes to the medical staff, yet no one is reporting
changes to them about the patient such as new medications or a new diet. This
can be very frustrating for Nursing Assistants. This kind of issue can lead to
a divided work staff who aren't working together in the best interest of the
patients.

There are five ways employers can work with staff to eliminate such issues.
Enforcing these goals will allow medical staff to develop better relationships
on an ongoing basis, providing better care for patients. It often helps with
the moral of the staff as well. Everyone should get a brief overview of what
the other medical staff is responsible to do. Too often one group of people
feel they do more than another because they just aren't aware of everything
that particular job description entails. This will help staff members value the
work of others more. Asking Nursing Assistants for their input and opinion often
builds relationships with other staff because they feel part of the overall care
process for patients. Recognize the talents of each other and your abilities.
This will help balance out strengths and weaknesses, enabling all staff to
provide better quality care to patients. It is important to be supportive of
other medical staff, not just those with the same title as you. Nurturing new
staff is also very important. They need to feel as if they are part of the team
from the minute they enter the door on their first day of work.

The relationships Nursing Assistants develop with other staff are very
important. This starts will realizing your own communication style, and
improving your communication skills. It may also require you to address issues
with administration to develop ways for communications among the medical staff
to improve. Be ready to offer ideas to make it happen when you approach
administration. With the overall goal being to provide excellent care for all
patients, communication that works well for everyone is a great place to start.

Nursing Assistant Background Checks

In today's society, background checks are conducted by most employers to help
safeguard against theft as well as to help secure the safety of the people they
serve and the other staff members. Anyone wanting to be a Nursing Assistant
should expect a very thorough background check to be conducted prior to being
hired at any medical facility. In many instances, a background check will have
to be completed prior to acceptance in a Nursing Assistance program. It
generally depends on the state requirements.

The level of clearance you must pass on a background check varies by agency and
state. In some states, only crimes involving violence will ban you from
employment as a Nursing Assistant. In others, any felony will result in not
being hired. There are a few states that push it even further. If you have any
history of domestic violence, harassment, drunk driving, misdemeanors, or
felonies, you can't work in the medical profession. While some may think this
is extreme, statistics show theft and abuse committed by Nursing Assistants is
done by those who have some criminal record prior to being hired by the agency
where the abuse or theft took place.

If you are not familiar with a background check, it can include many things.
Some employers simply check your criminal history. Others go to great lengths
to find out information about you. They will check the education information on
your resume, verify all past employment, and call all your references. There are
a select few employers who will conduct a credit rating as well. This is because
up to 40% of all resumes given to employers contain some kind of false
information.

Investigating a person's motor vehicle record has also become popular. The one
area that an employer can't look into is your medical history. However, many
medical facilities require Nursing Assistants to pass a physical exam prior to
hiring.

An employer will need to discuss the types of background checks they will
conduct prior to doing so. Often, you will need to sign consent from allowing
them to obtain such information. In most cases, an employer will not be
conducting a background check unless they are ready to offer you the job. It is
not uncommon for them to offer the position, but clarify that it is contingent
on the background check coming back clear.

This being told, Nursing Assistants need to be up front about their background.
While it is difficult to secure employment in the field with a criminal history,
it is possible depending on the circumstances. If you lie about your work
experience, it is quite possible you will get caught. Since the demand is so
high for Nursing Assistants, you can still get the job if you don't have much
work experience. Employers are often looking for someone who is honest and
willing to work. Show them both, and they will offer to train you.

If your background check comes back with information that negatively reflects
your chances of being hired, the company has to provide you with the
information they received as well as the name of the company they obtained the
information from. If they information is incorrect, it is very important that
you contact your local agency relating to the reported information. In
addition, remember that getting into trouble with the law, the Department of
Motor Vehicles, or financially might result in you losing your position as a
Nursing Assistant. You will want to review the policies for the agency you are
accepting employment with.

Nurse Assistants and Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases are those that can be transferred from one individual to
another. These include the common cold, tuberculosis, the flu, and HIV, herpes,
measles, chicken pox, lice, and strep throat. Are of these are highly
contagious. For those who already have medical issues, their immune system has
a hard time fighting off anything else, so they are very susceptible.

Communicable diseases spread by human waste including saliva, stools, urine,
blood, and other bodily fluids. Airborne droplets from the nose and mouth are
also a common transmitter.

Since communicable diseases often spread like wildfire if not properly
contained, it is everyone's responsibility to do all they can to maintain their
own health. Washing your hands often is a very good place to start. Most germs
can't survive soap and water. Nursing Assistants are encouraged to wash their
hands more than most people because they are in constant contact with other
people.

As a Nurse Assistant, it is your responsibility to immediately notify your
supervisor if you develop the symptoms of any communicable disease. They can
then determine a course of action. It may be recommended that you don't come to 
work until the communicable disease has run its course. Depending on the disease, 
you might be able to continue working with a respirator to prevent passing it to 
anyone else. In some cases, it may need to be reported to the health department.

Some communicable diseases can be cured with antibiotics such as strep throat.
Others including the common cold will have to run their course. You can do your
part by remembering to wash your hands, taking your vitamins, being current on
all immunizations, and getting an annual flu shot.

Learning about these types of diseases is an important part of the Nursing
Assistant program. Most medical facilities train all new employees in the area
of communicable diseases. There is also ongoing training. While preventing the
spread of communicable diseases is important in any work environment, it is
especially important in a medical setting.

Each medical agency will have different processes and procedures for handling
the spread of communicable diseases. Make sure you are well trained in
identifying them, noticing the onset, and knowing how to handle each type of
situation. Epidemics of communicable diseases require emergency procedures to
take place. It is very important that you agency trains all employees in that
area as well.

Nursing Assistances come into contact with bodily fluids of patients on a
regular basis, and this is the most common method that they are infected with
communicable diseases. You should always use rubber gloves when doing tasks
such as changing soiled bedding and clothing and empting bedpans. The use of a
sterile disinfectant while cleaning is important as well. If you do get bodily
fluids on you, immediately was the area with soap and water, then report the
incident. Your report needs to include what took place and what bodily fluids
you came into contact with.

Communicable diseases are an area many people don't know much about. It is
important that Nursing Assistants do some research on their own to make sure
they fully understand the health risks involved with coming into contact with
communicable diseases. While it is very rare, there have been reports of
Nursing Assistants being infected with HIV and other potentially deadly
diseases.

Nurse Assistant Training

Nurse Assistants play a vital role in our healthcare facilities. They provide
patients with assistance in regard to their basic needs including bathing,
feeding, and dressing them. The level of assistance depends on the individual
needs of each patient. They also are an invaluable resource for the Nursing
staff.

Becoming a Nurse Assistant requires completion of a certificate program. Such
programs are available at several medical facilities and college campuses. The
programs can be completed in as little as four weeks. Others run as long as
twelve weeks. It depends on the curriculum, the requirements of the state the
program is taking place in, and how many hours per day the course is conducted.

All Nurse Assistance courses will teach you the basic fundamentals of taking
care of those under your care in a safe and professional manner. Your work will
be supervised by licensed Nurses both during your training and regular
employment. The training program will teach you to care for both the physical
and psychological needs of each patient. Since you must successfully pass the
Certified Nursing Assistant exam, the course will help you prepare for the
information on that exam.

During the Nurse Assistant course, you will be involved in learning textbook
materials as well as hands on training. The textbook material cover all the
terminology and information you need to lay a solid foundation to build on.
This information will also cover items that are likely to be found on the
Certified Nursing Assistant exam. You will also learn ways to improve your
communication skills. Communication is key to being a great Nurse Assistant.
You will need to be effective at communicating with patients, their family, and
the other medical staff.

The hands on portion of the training will give you the opportunity to practice
the concepts you are learning in the classroom. Most training programs have
special medical maniquins that you work with. You will practice proper bathing
and lifting on them. You may also practice taking their vital signs as some are
designed for that purpose.

The majority of Nurse Assistant programs work with in conjunction with the
medical facilities in the area. This often means a large portion of your hands
on training will take place as such a facility. This portion of the curriculum
is called clinicals. During this process, you will tend to real patients with
the close supervision of licensed medical staff. You will begin applying your
knowledge in this setting.

Clinicals can be intimidating to some students. However, they are designed to
give you the best opportunity to fully understand and learn your role as a
Nurse Assistant. Generally, these clinicals are conducted with a very small
group of students. Your class will be broke up into groups of at least two but
no more than six. They take place in the actual medical facility. It is
important to understand that you will not be paid for the work you do during
these clinical hours of training.

During clinicals, the Nursing staff is fully aware of your inexperience. They
will attempt to explain what is taking place as it happens to improve your
ability to look for key factors in a medical setting. It is very important that
if you do not fully understand something, that you discuss it with those
training you. They are there for that purpose during the training portions of
the Nurse Assistant program.

Completing your Nurse Assistant training at a medical facility not only gives
you hands on experience, it may lead to a job offer at the end of your training
program. Many medical facilities that host the clinical training are watching
out for students who show potential. They are looking for punctuality,
attendance, attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and a positive
attitude.

On advantage of accepting a job offer at the facility you completed your
clinical training at is that you will know their policies and procedures. It is
important to keep in mind that every facility has variations of how you were
training. The basics will be the same, but you will need to be willing to
adjust to what is expected at the particular facility you accept employment
with. Keeping that in mind, you will want to ask questions of that nature
during job interviews if a complete job description is not given to you.

Home Health Employment with a Nursing Assistant Certification

Many individuals who are certified as a Nursing Assistant become frustrated
with the medical facility environment. The often have to work as scheduled
including holidays, deal with internal issues among staff, want more pay for
the work they are doing, and don't feel appreciated.

Home health care offers a great alternative to Nursing Assistants who want more
freedom as well as the opportunity to get to know those they are caring for on a
more personal level. Home health care is exactly that, offering basic assistance
to those who need it in the privacy and comfort of their own home. Nursing
Assistants will be performing many of the same tasks including feeding,
bathing, and dressing the patients.

Most Nursing Assistants interested in working for home health seek employment
with a home health agency. These agencies contract with the patient or their
family to offer them services to be able to remain in their home rather than an
assisted living facility. However, Nursing Assistants need to be aware home
health care agencies generally offer additional services that they will be
required to perform including paying bills, running errands, picking up
medications, and taking the patient to scheduled appointments. In addition,
there may be cooking and light housekeeping involved.

Many Nursing Assistants love home health care because it allows them to develop
a schedule that works for them and they get to know their patients. Home health
care generally allows you to make your own schedule. It will be reviewed by
your supervisor as well as checked with the patients. Every effort is made to
accommodate all involved. It is very likely you can customize the schedule
around holidays and other events, giving you those days off.

Getting to know your patients while doing home health care is a perk you don't
often get in a medical facility. You sometimes can if you work in a long term
care facility, but even then time is often limited and Nursing Assistants have
to run to complete the workload they are given. Getting to know the patients in
home health care can make the job more enjoyable.

Since home health care takes place in a person's home with very little
supervision, the background check is more intense than what is done to work in
a medical facility. This is for the complete protection of the patients. You
will have complete access to their home as well as be interacting with them one
on one. Therefore any time of issue on your background check can keep you from
being employed in home health care.

Be prepared for a references and past employers to be contacted. Home health
care agencies will be looking for more than the length of employment and your
skills. They will want to find out if you are organized, motivated, and able to
work on your own without constant supervision. They will be investigating your
promptness as well as how often you call off work, as well as the reasons why.

This is because home health care agencies don't have the volume of staff to
cover your patients if you show up late or don't show up at all. This can
result in patients needs going unmet and them becoming upset. That could result
in patients choosing to end their contract with that home health care agency.

Nursing Assistants are more likely to earn more at a home health agency than in
a medical facility. On average $2.25 more per hour. They are also more likely to
be treated respectfully by their employer and co-workers. They want employees to
be happy as this will help keep them as quality employees. Patients do not like
for their assistant to continually change. They don't like having that many new
people in and out of their home. The home health care agency has to properly
balance keeping the employees and the patients happy.

Before accepting any employment with a home health care agency, take the time
to research them with the Better Business Bureau and state Medical Board. You
do not want to involve yourself with any agency that does not participate in
proper procedures for care of their patients. It is important to report any
such issues immediately.

Helping Nursing Assistants with Dying and Death

Nursing Assistants are a unique group of individuals who are dedicated to
providing patients with the best possible care. They work hard to make sure
their basic needs are met. They often go the extra mile to provide patients and
their families comfort. They are trained to work hard, multi-task, and assist
Nurses with any type of emergency that arises on any given day. However, their
goal is to help others feel better. Dealing with the harsh reality of dying and
death can be very difficult for Nursing Assistants to deal with, especially for
those new to the profession.

Dealing with the issue of dying and death is relevant in any field of the
medical profession. It is even more common if you are working in a critical
care of elderly care facility. This issue should be taken into careful
consideration before a Nursing Assistant accepts a position in such a facility.

Since all people view death differently, a Nursing Assistant will be exposed to
many things going on during this time, both with the patient and with their
family members. For those who are very religious, praying and possibly figures
from their Church will be present. Others are afraid to die, and fight for
every last breath trying to hold on. Respecting the wishes of the patient and
the family is very important during dying and death.

There are those Nursing Assistants who are upset when they have to deal with
dying and death. They feel this is not what they signed up for. They want to
help people. However, Nursing Assistants can be a great source of comfort and
compassion for patients and their families during those precious last hours. Do
all you can to keep the patient comfortable. Often, their mouths become very
dry. Even if they don't appear coherent, attempt to give them ongoing sips of
water or ice chips. The lips may begin to crack, apply Chap Stick or Vaseline
to prevent soreness.

Caring for dying patients requires you to remember details about them before
they became so ill. For example, if a patient asked to be turned often because
of soreness, continue to rotate how they are laying. Pay attention to their
body temperature and adjust bedding, air conditioning, and heating as needed. A
person will often become cold in the hours before death, so it is important to
keep them as comfortable as possible.

Some signs of death Nursing Assistants should be familiar with include the loss
of muscle tone, the slowing of circulation, changes in breathing, and blurred
vision. It is important that the Nursing Assistant document such changes in the
patient's chart and immediately notify the charge Nurse of the situation.

While a patient is dying, the Nursing Assistant can help make the process
easier for the patient. Adequate pain medications should be administered as
needed to reduce the pain. Play the music the patient enjoys. Consider reading
them a favorite book or Bible passages. Sometimes they will need extra comfort
including someone to hold their hand. A Nursing Assistant can assume this role.
Often, Nursing Assistants can rely on each other to help make the situation
easier. Many employers also offer counseling services if you feel they are
necessary after dealing with dying and death of one of your patients. It is
often easy to become attached to patients you care for on a regular basis. Your
employer is well aware of this, and will want to help you feel better in your
role as a Nursing Assistant.

Counseling for Nursing Assistants

The day to day activities of a Nursing Assistant can be rewarding and draining.
Most of us only know that they offer assistance with feeding, dressing, and
bathing patients. However, they do so much more. They develop ongoing
relationships with the patients as they have more one on one time with them
than any other medical staff. They also provide comfort to the patient and
their family. They do all they can from reading to them, helping them write
letters, and holding their hand as they move from life to death.

Experiencing the negative activities that occur in the Nursing Assistant
profession can really take a toll on an individual. It is especially hard when
someone they have been caring for takes a turn for the work, becomes terminally
ill, or dies. They still have to go on with their other patients, but they can
be left feeling empty and at a loss.

Many medical facilities are aware of this issue. With being compassionate comes
true feelings of friendship and loss. Counseling is a good way to help Nursing
Assistants deal with the events that take place in the working environment.
This counseling can be conducted through the employer or at the expense of the
Nursing Assistant from an outside resource.

Counseling services offered on site to Nursing Assistants is generally offered
free of charge, as long as the information being discussed is work related. The
employer may have several paid counselors that only provide services to
employees. Others use their counselors to provide services to their employees,
patients, and the family and friends of patients. You will need to look into
how it is set up at your place of employment for specific details.

These counseling sessions can be ongoing or set up only when a Nursing
Assistant feels the need to do so. It is important to understand that the
information you discuss with the counselor at your worksite will not be shared
with your employer. Too often, Nursing Assistants avoid this type of support
and help because they are afraid their boss is going to get a transcript of the
entire session. All counseling sessions are held in strict confidentiality. They
only time anything is reported is if the counselor feels you are in danger of
hurting yourself or others.

Since counseling is important in the medical profession, you may be able to
encourage administration at your place of employment to set up services for
employees. While they may argue that it is costly and not in the budget, be
prepared to discuss the benefits to the overall effectiveness of the staff.
Employees with good mental health will do a better job. They will also choose
to continue employment longer than staff that needs counseling but does not
receive it.

If your employer does not offer counseling services, it is important that you
look into an outside resource for such services. The Nursing Assistant field
can be draining and emotional. A key to staying on top of the game is to take
care of yourself. This means both on a physical and emotional level. In
reality, you aren't going to be effectively caring for patients if you haven't
been taking care of your own needs. Counseling services can be expensive, but
most health insurance plans cover them. If yours doesn't or you don't have
health insurance, check in your area for discount programs and sliding scale
fees.

Counseling services for Nursing Assistants is a vital key to staying
compassionate and interested in your work. If you let the dark side of the
profession consume you, then you will no longer be contributing to the well
being of the patients you care for. Being a Nursing Assistant is a great
opportunity to care for others and give something of yourself to society.
However, it can't be stressed enough that you must take the opportunity and
time to properly meet your own needs. This is one of the biggest reasons so
many people in the medical field suffer from burnout. They simply do not take
their own needs into consideration at the level they should.

Consumer Complaints about Nursing Assistants

Most Nursing Assistants work very hard to ensure the safety of patients as well
as provide them with quality care. However, consumer complaints happen often,
resulting in the profession not getting a fair look. Too often the focus is on
the negative that takes place during interactions with Nursing Assistants than
reporting good staff to the proper people.

One of the biggest complaints about Nursing Assistants by consumers is that
they are too rushed. They often have to hurry through bathing and dressing
because they have too many demands on their time in a given shift. This often
results in patients getting cared for, but quickly and robotically. The
personal touch is often smothered in an effort to get it all done.

For patients, simple requests are on of the few perks they have in a medical
facility. It also allows they to still exercise some control over their
decisions. This is very important to someone who no longer is able to be at
home or do basic tasks for themselves without assistance. These requests can be
as simple as helping them from the bed to a chair or bringing them a pen and
paper to write a letter. It is easy for Nursing Assistants to get side tracked
or forget. However, since these simply requests are important to the patient,
it is very important that Nursing Assistants follow through with them. Carrying
a pen and notepad to jot down requests is a great way to remember them.

Patients don't like to be kept waiting. It is very hard to adjust to. They may
forget they are not the only patient. Nursing Assistants do the best they can
to stay on schedule. However, working short staffed and medical emergencies can
quickly put them behind schedule. Nursing Assistants have to prioritize, so
sometimes helping someone who has fallen is more important than giving the
patient a shower on time. Since confidentiality is so important, the Nursing
Assistant can't tell the patient why they are running late.

Never discuss a patient with another staff member or family member in a manner
that makes the patient feel as if they are not in the room. Speak with them in
mind. It is important to carefully choose your words, even when you think they
are asleep or in a coma. Many patients have filed complaints regarding
conversations they overheard while Nursing Assistants thought they were
sleeping or unresponsive.

One huge area of controversy is that many consumers are uneasy with who quickly
a Nursing Assistant can obtain a license. They do not feel there is adequate
training time to do an effective job. Federal guidelines require all Nursing
Assistant programs to have a minimum of 75 hours of training. The actual amount
will depend on the program coordinator and the state requirements for a
particular program. However, it is often debated that to be certified as a
manicurist, it takes over 1000 hours of training, but so little to become a
Nursing Assistant.

Medical facilities and program developers defend the hours required to earn a
certificate as a Nursing Assistant. They feel the training builds on an
individuals basic concepts of feeding, bathing, and dressing individuals. It is
routine tasks we have all done at some point in our lives. They also stress that
the clinical hours are hands on training in a medical facility with close
observation. This type of training is more effective than just classroom
curriculums of other programs. In addition, Nursing Assistants are closely
supervised by Nursing staff on a regular basis.

Nursing Assistants work hard to do an effective job of meeting the needs of
consumers. Complaints will continue to be file as long as Nursing Assistants
maintain such high workloads. With the demand of this field continuing to grow,
it is not likely that the workloads will get anything but larger over time.

Confidentiality is a Must for Nursing Assistants

Nursing Assistants are exposed to a wide variety of events taking place in the
medical field. It is crucial that they are aware of the importance of
maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of their job.

Nursing Assistants are well trained in the policies and procedures of the
facility. While it is important to follow them, it is not recommended to
discuss them outside of the facility. For example, you don't want to provide
others with confidential information regarding evacuation and other emergency
procedures. Doing so many compromise the safety of the patients and staff
during a natural disaster or violent attack.

Patients requiring care in a medical facility are to have their privacy
protected. This means you do not discuss their care or other personal
information with any other person except staff they have an interest in the
care of that patient. Confidentiality becomes an issue when you know someone in
the facility or someone asks you why someone else in there.

All patients have the right to their privacy being maintained. Compromising
this information is a direct violation of every medical practice. Providing
such information can result in termination of your job, and in some cases, the
loss of your Nursing Assistant Certification.

Communicable diseases can surface in medical facilities. It is important that
you follow the policies and procedures set in place by the particular facility
your work with. However, do not release information regarding such diseases to
anyone. This could result in a panic over the possibility of an epidemic, and
lead to patients wanting to leave the facility against medical advice.

The proper medical staff will release information on communicable diseases to
the proper agencies. Often this includes the area health department. They can
then help the medical facility incorporate a plan of action to remedy the
solution. The decision might be made to share the information with the area
newspapers in an effort to allow them to protect themselves and to seek medical
attention if they display the symptoms of a communicable disease that requires
treatment.

Confidentiality also includes other medical staff. Nursing Assistants should
not be disclosing any information they overhear among other staff in regards to
a patient. Likewise, they should not disclose any information that they hear
about the private interactions of staff. Often referred to as gossip, this
violation of confidentiality can result in poor working relationships. The
result is often a stressful work environment and patients not receiving the
best care because lines of communication are not open.

To protect yourself, it is important that you clearly understand the basics of
confidentiality and why it is so important in the Nursing Assistant profession.
Make sure you are fully aware of the specific policies and procedures in place
for the facility you work for prior to accepting employment. In addition, it is
the responsibility of the Nursing Assistant to report any violations of the
confidentiality policies and procedures to the proper person. Not doing so
makes you as much a part of the violation as those who committed it.

While it is human nature to talk and discuss things in common, make sure the
information you are sharing in regards to your work are being shared with those
who need to know the information. It can be humiliating enough for individuals
who need to be in a medical facility without worrying about who is going to
find out about what took place while they were in care.

Disadvantages of Being a Nursing Assistant

Being a Nursing Assistant can be a very rewarding career for those who are
compassionate, hardworking, and who enjoy helping others. They are a necessary
part of the medical field. Often, their work goes unappreciated by others in
the medical profession. There are disadvantages to being a Nursing Assistant
that can lead to someone no longer enjoying their job. The Nursing Assistant
profession has one of the highest turn over rates in the medical field.

Most people who become certified as a Nursing Assistant don't do it for the
pay. They are interested as a way of helping others and working with other
medical professionals. The low cost of the program as well as the short amount
of time it takes to complete it are also big motivators to enroll in such a
program.

We all like to feel appreciated, both professionally and personally. Nursing
Assistants who don't feel respected and appreciated by the other medical staff
quickly come to dislike their job. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and
resentment. In some cases, it can result in not performing duties to the best
of your ability. In others, it can result in simply not performing the duties
you don't enjoy doing.

While Nursing Assistants help keep things running smooth for everyone including
patients, families, and other medical staff, they are often not paid very well.
This type of position is considered entry level. The starting pay is generally
a few dollars above minimum wage, but when compared to the earnings of Nursing
staff, the pay is still considered to be very low.

Being a Nursing Assistant exposes you to a wide variety of patients. Meeting
their needs including feeding, bathing, and dressing can often be difficult.
Nursing Assistants are also required to be able to assist the Nursing staff
with anything that arises during their shift. Nursing Assistants often find
themselves running short on time to complete everything on the agenda for a
given day.

One of the most difficult things for Nursing Assistants to deal with is the
behaviors of patients. While most appreciate the help being offered, others
become very angry and mean towards the Nursing Assistant. The risk of both
physical and emotional abuse is very high in this profession. This can
definitely take a toll of anyone.

As with any area of the medical field, Nursing Assistants are exposed to death
and dying. There are times when feelings of hopelessness are felt by the
Nursing Assistant as they see patients that they aren't able to help as much as
they would like to. While they understand that is part of the medical
profession, it can still be very difficult to take.

Even the most dedicated and responsible Nursing Assistants can start to feel
burnout in association with their job. This is when your job becomes so
overwhelming that you lose interest in it, as well as other activities. It can
be the result of working too many hours, working short staff, or a combination
of other factors. Watch for the warning signs.

The decision to pursue employment as a Nursing Assistant lead to a wonderful
career for you. However, it is important that you are fully aware of the
disadvantages of the career choice as well. This way you can make an informed
decision. You will need to ask yourself if the advantages outweigh the
disadvantages. It will also help you prepare for signs of such disadvantages
that you can overcome.

For example, you can obtain counseling services if you are experiencing
negative feelings related to the death of a patient or other such issue. You
can prepare yourself for issues that arise with other staff, and know where in
your facility to go with that information for a solution. You can also prepare
yourself to avoid burnout with the job, and take the necessary steps if you
start to feel that way.

Burnout as a Nursing Assistant

Those who decide to pursue a career in the medical field as a Nursing Assistant
set out to show compassion and help others. Their hearts are in the right place,
but they may soon find their minds and bodies suffering from burnout. This is
the result of continually feeling like you can't meet your work requirements.
Soon you find you are completely drained and exhausted due to feeling
overwhelmed. Often, the result is losing the motivation that lead you to take
on that role in the first place.

The role of a Nursing Assistant is a demanding one. One of the biggest
complaints from them is that they have too much to do, and not enough time to
get it all done. Burnout is dangerous because it affects individuals
emotionally, physically, and mentally. It is tough to see bright, compassionate
Nursing Assistants leave the medical field because they have come to resent the
role they have taken on. It no longer serves a purpose for them. What was once
a positive experience has become a nightmare.

The stress of burnout on a Nursing Assistant can lead to problems with their
health as well as lead to depression. Often, they either quit their job or they
are fired. This leads to financial difficulties and many times issues in their
relationships. Nursing Assistants report burnout in their profession is common
because they are overworked, unappreciated, confused about work expectations
and priorities, worry about job security, they are overwhelmed by the number of
responsibilities, and they do not feel their pay is sufficient for the amount of
duties that they are required to perform on an ongoing basis.

It is important that Nursing Assistants understand burnout, and the havoc it
can reap in their professional and personal life. Understanding what burnout
is, why it happens, and the signs of it can help Nursing Assistants deal with
the situation before it spirals out of control. The first step in avoiding
burnout is to take care of yourself physically and emotionally.

Signs you are experiencing job burnout or soon will be include no longer
finding enjoyment in areas of your job you once really liked, becoming cynical
or bitter about your job, and you are starting to experience problems in
relationships with co-workers, friends or family as a result of the conflicts
of your job.

Other important signs to watch for are looking for excuses to not go to work,
calling off or asking to go home early on a regular basis, becoming easily
annoyed with co-workers, envious of those who do enjoy their work, and not
caring if you do a good job or not. It is likely you will start to experience
physical and emotional exhaustion.

Being a Nursing Assistant can be stressful. However, stress and burnout are
different. They are often confused because they signs and symptoms of the two
are very similar. The defining factor is stress comes and goes, so the signs
and symptoms do as well. With burnout, the feeling doesn't go away, so the
signs and symptoms linger ongoing.

As a Nursing Assistant, you can't eliminate stress, but you can help control
and reduce the effects of it. It is important to get plenty of rest and take
care of yourself. Since most of us stretch ourselves too thin with too many
commitments, see if there are areas you can cut back in. If you have solutions
to issues at work, write them down. Ask to meet with your supervisor. Explain
the problems, then offer solutions. This will show that you are interested in
resolving the issues rather than just complaining.

It is very important to take time for yourself. Relax with a warm bath or read
a good book. Too often we take care of everyone else's needs at work and at
home, leaving nothing of ourselves for us! Since the healthcare profession is
the top contender for employees suffering from burnout, Nursing Assistants need
to really take head of this advice and put it to good use early on in their
career. This will help ensure they continue to enjoy their work, offering
patients the best possible care.

Ways to Show Appreciation to Nursing Assistants

Nursing Assistants work very hard to offer a contribution to the medical field.
They work hard to help patients meet their basic needs. They also offer comfort
and support. They work one on one with patients, getting to know them better
than the other medical staff. They use this knowledge to make things easier for
the patient as well as to help the other staff do what is best for the patient.
In addition, they work with Nursing staff, often assisting with anything that
comes up at a moments notice.

While most Nursing Assistants are happy in their role, they often do feel like
they are taken for granted. The do so much behind the scenes that often the
patients and the employer don't realize all that they contribute to the overall
goals of the medical facility and the medical profession as a whole. There are
several things patients, staff, and employers can do to recognize the efforts
of Nursing Assistants.

Many patients and their family choose to send a simply thank you note or letter
to the Nursing Assistant. Often, this heartfelt thank you is more than
sufficient. It can often help a Nursing Assistant stay motivated, knowing what
they do really does make a difference for many people. A simple gift of candy,
flowers, or a gift card can also be a great token of appreciation for someone
who offered so much during your time of need.

Many Nursing Assistants do not feel appreciated by other medical staff,
especially the Nursing staff they work directly under. Too often Nursing staff
only point of what a Nursing Assistant didn't do. This needs to be addressed,
and verbal appreciation needs to be expressed towards the efforts of Nursing
Assistants. Another great way to show appreciation is to ask Nursing Assistants
for their input regarding patient care and include them in discussions about how
to handle particular patient issues. This will definitely make them feel
appreciated and valued.

Employers need to work hard to make Nursing Assistants feel appreciated as
well. With them being is such high demand, they need to work hard to keep those
quality workers they already have. In addition, their attitude towards the issue
will often set the tone for other medical staff.

Employers can extend appreciation to individual Nursing Assistants or the
profession as a whole in employment newsletters. These are often well read
materials that pertain to the medical facility and can be distributed monthly
or every pay day along with your check. If your facility participates in
Medical Appreciate Week, then it is imperative that the Nursing Assistants feel
honored during that time as well. Some employers offer raises to Nursing
Assistants based on their performance as a bonus to recognize their efforts.

It is important to understand that Nursing Assistants don't enter the
profession looking for recognition. They sincerely want to help others the best
way they can. However, being over worked and under appreciated it a mix that
leads to stress, burnout, and often leaving the profession. Medical facilities
need to take the opportunity to inform other staff of all the duties Nursing
Assistants perform. Other staff and the facility need to work hard to make them
feel as important as any other staff member. Too often, the mentality is that
they are entry level workers with less education. This misconception will lead
to a continued shortage of Nursing Assistants to help patients and other staff.
That being said, it is definitely to the advantage of the staff and facility to
make sure Nursing Assistants feel welcome, appreciated, and an intricate part
of the team.

Support Groups for Nursing Assistants

Working as a Nursing Assistant can be very fulfilling. It is a great feeling to
know you spent your day helping others. However, with this job comes a great
deal of stress and frustration at times. This is due to short staffing so there
is too much to get done, issues with other medical staff, and dealing with
terminally ill patients or those who have died while in your care. All of this
can start to take a toll on a Nursing Assistant, both physically and mentally.
As a result, many Nursing Assistants suffer from burnout. They no longer find
joy in the profession they were once passionate about.

To help you manage the stress and other factors that your job as a Nursing
Assistant brings, support groups are a great way to discuss how you are
feeling, both the good and the bad. It is a way to create relationships and
receive support from others in the same profession. You will also have the
ability to provide support to others in the group.

There are many ways Nursing Assistants set up support groups. It is very easy
to put up a flier at work and ask those who are interested to come to a
meeting. Make sure your flier addresses the group is only for Nursing
Assistants. Many employers will support this effort, and offer you a meeting
place. Make sure you discuss your reasons for wanting to establish a support
group to administration prior to advertising.

Some groups meet weekly while others meet every other week. You can have
established topics for each meeting or just allow members to bring to the table
what ever they want. Make sure to set up ground rules for respect as well as
prevent the meetings from becoming nothing but complaint sessions. The purpose
of the support group is to help you stay positive, not generate the negative.

If your group of co-workers is very small, you might decide to set up a Nursing
Assistant support group in your community, inviting Nursing Assistants from all
medical facilities to meet together. You can select a central location such as
the library. Often Churches will allow groups to gather in their facilities
when not in use. You can also choose to rotate the medical facility that will
host each meeting.

Online support groups for Nursing Assistants have become very popular. They
allow you a level on animosity that face to face meetings do not. Also, your
group will consist of people from all over the Nation, not just in your area.
This can lead to learning new ways that work well for others that you can apply
to your work environment. Online support groups for Nursing Assistants are free
to join. They also don't require an effort being put into reminders for
meetings, or securing places to meet.

One such online support group called Nursing Assistant Central .com has
thousands of members. They invite individuals thinking of entering the Nursing
Assistant program, those who are in the program, recent certificate holders,
and those employed as a Nursing Assistant. There are message boards and chat
rooms to discuss hundreds of topics. There is even a section where individuals
can post questions related to their job. This site offers support and relieve
to individuals in the Nursing Assistant field everyday.

It is important for Nursing Assistants to be aware of the dangers of stress and
burnout in their profession. Having a reliable support system in place is a
great way to offset the effects of stress and burnout. While our families and
friends are often supportive of our career choice, they don't understand the
depth of some of the challenging issues that happen for Nursing Assistants in
their job. Having a support group made up of your peers allows you a resource
that is walking in the same shoes. If you are hesitant, give a meeting or two a
try. You just might find it is exactly what you need to help you keep that level
of enthusiasm for your job at its best.

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