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Duties of a Certified Nursing Assistant

Updated: Jul 7

A certified nursing assistant wears many hats. Learn about the different tasks you’ll perform.



What does a Certified Nursing Assistant do?


The most critical care that CNAs provide is to help patients with basic living activities that they cannot currently do for themselves without assistance.

Some of the things that you will help with include:


  • Bathe and dress patients

  • Serve meals and help patients eat

  • Take vital signs

  • Turn or reposition patients who are bedridden

  • Collect information about conditions and treatment plans from caregivers, nurses and doctors

  • Provide and empty bedpans

  • Lift patients into beds, wheelchairs, exam tables, etc.

  • Answer patient calls

  • Examine patients for bruises, blood in urine or other injuries/wounds

  • Clean and sanitize patient areas

  • Change bed sheets and restock rooms with necessary supplies


Certified Nursing Assistant Skills and Qualifications


Multi-tasking, Medical Teamwork, Bedside Manner, Infection Control, Nursing Skills, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Creating a Safe, Effective Environment, Informing Others, Judgment, Pain Management, Acute/Critical Care.


CNA Aptitudes


To better understand how to become a CNA, let’s first take a look at some essential personal traits that all CNAs must have. First and foremost, your profession as a CNA will be centered on one universal concept. Providing the best care possible to your patient. The characteristics of Care, Compassion and Empathy are foundational to the ultimate success of this concept.


  • Care – As a healthcare professional, your ultimate goal is to provide impeccable care to your patients to the full extent of your training regardless of condition or setting. Listening to your patient’s needs plays an enormous factor in this category. When you take the time to listen to patients, you can better understand and address their needs and concerns.

 

  • Compassion – Compassion is defined as the feelings you have toward a person, who is   suffering or grieving in some way. While you may not completely grasp all the details of their condition, it doesn’t matter. Just do your best to apply this compassion into your care plan.

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  • Empathy – This trait is similar to compassion, but it takes this human feeling one step further; it requires a higher degree of understanding your patient’s needs and concerns. Perhaps the best way to exhibit empathy to your patients is to try to imagine yourself in their shoes. For example, what would you want your CNA to do if you were sick, scared and in pain?

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