What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a person who assists patients with healthcare needs and cares for a patient who is ill or recovering from a surgery or disease. CNA’s duties are assigned by a registered professional nurse. They provide service on activities of daily living, bedside care, including basic nursing procedures under the supervision of a registered nurse.

CNAs often have a better understanding of the residents’ needs and requirements than the additional nursing staff. Many will develop ongoing relationships with the patients as they have more one-on-one time with them than any other in the medical staff.

During the course of a shift, they are required to maintain records of all their residents, which are referred to by the nursing staff. They have to be sure to document the correct information, which includes the vital signs and any changes they observe in their condition. It is a CNA’s duty to inform the medical staff if the resident under their observation needs more urgent care.