Nursing Assistant-There are a number of routes to becoming a nurse after being a care assistant. Being a care assistant can give you experience in healthcare that will be invaluable for your nursing career. If you would like to train to become a nurse, you may be able to undergo training alongside working as a care assistant.
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.
Patient Rights Nursing Assistant 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.
Precautions Nursing Assistant 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.
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.
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.
Why Choose to Become a Nurse Assistants
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.
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.