Being A Certified Nurse Aide

My second clinical day took place on September 24th, 2015 at Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, New Jersey. My preceptor Maria Brilhante, MSN, RN, allowed me to observe the morning huddle that took place with all the nurse managers that are in the hospital. The purpose of this huddle was to keep the director of nursing informed about the census on each unit. I found this processed to be very uniformed and professional because the DON was engaged. The day went on with me attending meetings on how managers could implement plans to contain cost for the hospital. Maria did her daily rounds on her patients and her nursing staff. She has a folder that contains papers on how each nurse is progressing from the time they get off orientation. Her motto to the nurses is, “You are good at what you do, so when I coach don’t take offense. I am only trying to get you to be great”. This boost their confidence which I thought to be important.

One conversation that I have had with my co-workers and boss which was certainly a debatable topic was the pay of a CNA. Certified Nursing Assistants duties and responsibilities are basically care for the elderly as they are not able to do it themselves. This includes many things that most individuals would never do. I believe that CNA’s should be paid just as much as a nurse or LVN, and not minimum pay as it is such a hard job. Its not the same as working at the mall as a sales associate or a fast food place, and most times these jobs tend to get paid more. My boss who is an RN, certainly disagreed with me as she paid so much for her education, and I honestly understand that because I am working towards my BSN, its beyond expensive. She made

I've very adaptive to new technology such as programs used for online documentation and electronic MARS. Other registered staff in my unit often comes to me for problem solving and troubleshooting with our online documentation program. I always put my patients first and I take the time to listen to my patients & families, no matter how busy my schedule may be. I work well under pressure and in a solo or team environment. I strive to become more knowledgeable in nursing in order to provide the best care I can to my clients In order to excel at my profession and passion I need to do everything I can to make myself better. As part of that, I did not stop with Bachelors, I did my masters, then I did Medical-surgical certification & I am also certified preceptor, have certification from UCF. My upbringing developed my core beliefs of community, family, loyalty, compassion and honesty. It also taught me that all things worthwhile require hard work. I love being a nurse, but recognize my yearning for more. I love nursing and have enjoyed my time as a floor nurse although my work experiences are acutely based, I have observed the direct relation between primary and acute care. As a nurse primarily working with patients, I have observed how patient miseducation, miscommunication, and

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant was the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken on. My decision to become a nursing assistant started when I was in ninth grade. My class went on a field trip to the high school and we took a tour to the Health Occupational Students of America classroom. As I walked into the room, I knew right there that it was the class for me. My instructors, Mrs. Livings, and Mrs. Jorgensen were fantastic, and never failed me as a health care

My goal since day one of high school was to join and complete the Certified Nursing Assistant license’s program. I kept my grades up all years and my attendance sharp so I would be a step ahead of other applicants. Before I knew it, I was starting senior year which meant it was time to turn in my application. The application had many questions; the normal ones like who, what, and why. I turned the application into the teacher and the wait began to see if I was accepted. Little did I know that this was the first of many anxious waits this year. Completing my goal of becoming a licensed CNA would become one of the most nerve racking process in my life.

Transitioning from nursing school to working in a hospital setting can be a challenging time for a new graduate. Due to the nursing shortage, new graduate nurses are being hired with little to no experience. This is overwhelming for new nurses, especially when they are not getting adequate support or training from the hospital. The amount of stress, pressure, and lack of training is leading to a high turnover rate for new graduate nurses. With patient acuity on the rise, new graduate nurses that are filling these vacancies in the hospitals, need to be competent nurses to provide proper and safe care to the patients.

The nature of the work is very similar for the C.N.A. and L.P.N. A C.N.A. work includes performing routine tasks under the supervision of nursing staff. They answer call bells, deliver messages, serve meals, make beds, and help patients eat, dress, and bathe. Aides also provide skin care to patients, take pulse, temperature, respiration, and blood

1. The Shortage: In the early years of 2000 the true nursing shortage had begun. With

My career commitment as a nurse has grown tremendously over the past three years; through my daily experiences as a Medical Assistant. I have devoted my time as a full time student and employee of the health care profession. Both of these occupations have helped shape me into the person I want to be for as long as time allows. Daily I witness these community role models that posses abilities such as problem solving skills, promotion and protection of an individual’s advocacy all tied in with compassion to meet the health care needs of an individual.

Nursing can be a demanding career, but the benefits far much outweigh the challenges. Most importantly, it’s the rewards it offers by allowing an opportunity to make a difference in another person’s life through the provision of care when they need it. Just as Patricia Benner theorized in her book “Novice to Expert,” nursing encompasses both educational knowledge and extensive clinical experience acquired throughout one’s career. This far, I continue to acquire knowledge and clinical knowhow which will promote proper and efficient care to patients. Since I began practicing one year ago in a long-term healthcare facility, I have interacted with patients, families, physicians and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate patient’s care which has enabled me to gain confidence in myself. While I cannot deny that it was difficult to transition from a student to a licensed nurse, I learnt to overcome these challenges and focus on my strengths. Practicing as an LPN has provided a platform to learn and gain experience even though the duties and responsibilities are limited by the scope of practice.

On November 1st, 2016 I had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Katherine M. Sawyer RN, BSN of Owosso, Michigan. Katherine, a female nurse who has worked in the nursing field for thirty-six years began her nursing career at Ingham Medical where she was a full-time staff-nurse for three years; then worked as a per-diem staff-nurse for eleven years. After working at Ingham for a total of fourteen years, Katherine obtained a position at Memorial Healthcare in Owosso where she worked as a nurse educator for fifteen years. Shortly after this she became a Basic Life Saving (BLS) instructor as her main role as a nurse educator was to provide nursing orientation and this additional role fit in perfectly. After some time she became involved in Quality Improvement for four years, and she has now switched back to the nurse educator role where she once again has the role of nursing orientation for Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Patient Care Techs (PCTs). The number of staff she teaches and orientates each month varies between one and ten individuals. She also teaches BLS and First Aid at Baker College of Owosso. Her contact information is as follows: Phone number (989) 413-1974 and e-mail address kmsawyer521@gmail.com. The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader of Sawyer’s role in the nursing profession as a nurse leader. Individuals will learn of Sawyer’s many different roles, responsibilities, and the organizational structure of Memorial

Throughout the U.S history the use of Certified Nursing Assistants has helped the system to solve many of our worldwide patients needs. Certified Nursing Assistants are used all over the world for people who are, or who may not, have the support system they may need to take care of their selves. Many Certified Nurses are also qualified to work inside of hospitals, adult care centers, nursing homes, and many more. Certified Nursing Assistants are becoming more reliable for elderly people because of the support system they have from the government.

The Certified Nursing Assistant program started this year with a new instructor, Karla Garrison RN BSN. Karla was previously one of the state board of nursing examiners and tested our students last year. After being impressed with our students and our program as well as the opportunity to make a difference Karla joined our team. Under her leadership we have transferred to a new curriculum and new text books that are more focused on meeting the Arizona state board exam requirements.

For my health care interview assignment I chose to interview Mayra Cruz, Certified Nurses Assistant. She works at Cuidado Casero Home Health and Hospice at 1617 E. Missouri Ave, El Paso, Texas. In my interview with her she described her job duties, her patients and how she interacts with others in her environment. In addition, she identified the length of time she has been in her current position, her career path that has led her to this position as well as her experience in the health care industry. Her education and what requirements were necessary for her certification. She also wonders if the education she received proper and

Yes, I previously applied during the 2016-2017 cycle. Since then, I have pursued opportunities to move into other healthcare settings so that I could learn more about patient care and diversify my hands-on experiences. To do this, I earned my Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and transitioned from working as a physical therapist aide to a new position as a phlebotomist and administrative medical assistant for a diagnostic laboratory.