The characteristics of a CNA are compassion, good communication skills, hardworking, kindness, and patience. Those planning to make a career in this field should possess these qualities.
Certified nursing assistants work under the guidance and supervision of RN (Registered Nurse). They are responsible for providing assistance to the patients. They spend more time with the patients than the doctors or other nurses. They need to make sure that the patients hygiene is maintained, they monitor the vital signs of the patients, collect samples of urine, faces, and blood to be send for laboratory test, transfer the patient from bed to wheel chair, prevent bed sores, etc. The CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) should have a compassionate approach towards the patients. If they are just working to earn money and do not treat their patients with compassion and care, then they can never be successful in their career. The nursing-career aspirants need to have the in-built characteristics of a CNA.
The vital characteristics of a CNA are as follows:
Compassion: The nursing aide need to serve the ailing, dying, injured, and aging patients. They need to have a compassionate approach towards the patients. The patients need to bear pain. At times they feel frustrated and lonely. Therefore, it is vital for the certified nurse aide to have an empathetic approach towards their patients.
Communication skills: The nursing aide needs to communicate with the patient on daily basis. They should be able to easily communicate with the patient. The patient should feel at ease to talk with the patient. They are already dealing with stress due to ill-health, communication problem should not add to their troubles. The nursing aide also needs to interact with the doctors, senior nurses, and the patients family members. The certified nursing aides job profile demands good communication as well as listening skills.
Hardworking: The certified nurse aide needs to help the patients in their daily tasks such as taking bath, combing hair, changing cloths, cutting nails etc. If they are working with bed-ridden patients, then they need to make sure that the patients do not suffer from bedsores. The patient needs to be shifted every few hours. To work as certified nurse assistant you need physical strength and stamina. The nursing aide also need to work for long hours or double shift. Therefore, if you plan to work in this field you should be hardworking.
Kindness: The nursing assistant are appointed to assist and take care of the patients. Therefore, kindness is a characteristics that they need to possess. You need to treat the patients with respect. You should be passionate about your job and ready to answer the patients query and help them.
Patience: The patients can be irritated, frustrated, stressed, and lonely because of the pain that they are bearing. The nursing aide need to have patience to deal with them. You cannot ill-treat or be rude to them.
The nursing-career aspirants, who desire to make a career in the nursing field should make sure that they possess the above mentioned characteristics to become a successful nursing aide.
