What does a CNA do in their job?

I'm looking into becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, but I'm not sure what their daily tasks are. Can someone explain what being a CNA involves and what I might be doing day-to-day?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) primarily assists with patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Your daily tasks could vary greatly based on where you're employed, be it in a hospital, nursing home, or a patient's home, but the overarching goal will be to provide basic care to patients and aid in activities of daily living.

In general, these are some duties you may be responsible for:

1. Basic Patient Care: This may include tasks such as bathing and feeding patients, assisting with moving or repositioning, helping them with personal hygiene, and assisting them to use the restroom.

2. Recording Patient Information: You would record and monitor the patient's vital signs like blood pressure and temperature, input food and fluid intake, and detail any changes in a patient's physical, mental, and emotional conditions.

3. Assisting with Medical Procedures: CNAs can often be asked to help with basic medical procedures. For instance, you may be asked to change bandages, clean and dress wounds, or assist with medical equipment.

4. Providing Emotional Support: This aspect of the role shouldn't be understated. In many situations, a CNA is the healthcare professional who spends the most time with the patient, and part of their role can be to provide emotional comfort and support.

5. Communication: A significant part of a CNA's role is to be a conduit of information between the patient and the nursing staff. You'd need to clearly communicate to your supervising nurse any important observations or updates on the patient's condition.

In terms of shifts, it can vary but CNAs often work in eight-hour shifts, which could be during the day, evening, or night.

The role can certainly be physically and emotionally demanding, but it can also be incredibly rewarding, with the potential for strong relationships with patients and a real, tangible impact on their quality of life.