Tag: Job Security

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 dont prepare you for precautions you need to take. Most employers dont 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 dont 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.

Physical abuse is more dangerous than emotional abuse. Patients need to understand that it will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

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.

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 isnt 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.