A Day in the Life of a CNA: Is It Right for You

When you love caring for others and making a difference in their lives, becoming a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) can be immensely rewarding. A CNA provides crucial hands-on care for patients and is essential in operating nursing homes and other health care facilities. As such, CNAs are highly in demand across Wisconsin and are the preferred career path in the health care industry. But what does being a CNA entail? What does a day in the life of a CNA look like?

Our career navigators at WisCaregiver Careers can answer all of your questions and help you decide whether becoming a CNA is right for you. Here is a sneak peek at the day in the life of a CNA.

The Life of a CNA: A Closer Look

CNAs work every day to give their patients the best care they can. Therefore, CNAs can work in virtually all health care facilities, including nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. A CNA’s daily duties revolve around providing basic care for patients. While the specific responsibilities depend on where you’re working, some of the tasks you may handle include:

• Assisting patients with their daily activities, such as eating, and personal hygiene
• Taking vital signs and monitoring the patient’s health
• Providing companionship and friendship
• Coding medical conditions in software

CNAs work as a channel between patients, nurses, and doctors. Therefore, you’ll facilitate patient care while demonstrating compassion and comforting the elderly and frail.

Qualities and Skills for Success

As a CNA, you’ll spend a fair amount of time with a patient, and sometimes may be required to go the extra mile to provide extra care services. Therefore, you’ll need to demonstrate various qualities and skills for a successful CNA. Some of the essential qualities of a CNA include:

• Communication skills: CNAs communicate with nurses, doctors, families, and patients daily. Therefore, you’ll need strong communication skills to relay accurate information and meet each person’s unique needs. You’ll be required to offer clear instructions to your patients and provide detailed information to other health care members.
• Compassion and empathy: These vital qualities allow you to provide constant attention and care that benefits your patients. You’ll put yourself in their shoes and emotionally connect with them to foster the much-needed care.
• Patience: Working with distressed patients can be emotionally and physically demanding. Some elderly patients may be scared or suspicious of their environment. Therefore, remaining calm while supporting and encouraging them can make a difference in their healing.
• Attention to detail: CNAs are responsible for monitoring patients and should be the first to see when a patient is in distress, uncomfortable, or worsening. Therefore, they need to pay very close attention to their patients to observe and report anything different or unusual that others have yet to notice. Noticing even small changes, such as new bruises, could be a lifesaver.
• Flexibility: For a CNA, every day is different— some days are smooth, while others can be demanding. Therefore, you’ll need emotional stability and the ability to adapt to perform your tasks effectively while tackling your career path’s unique challenges and encounters.

If you find joy and satisfaction in helping the elderly and frail, becoming a CNA is the right career choice. You’ll find that taking care of people and giving back to the community makes every day more meaningful.

Rewards and Advantages of a CNA Career

Working closely with patients and making a big difference in their lives can be greatly rewarding. Register today at WisCaregiver Careers to kickstart your CNA career. Here are the benefits of enrolling in our CNA program:

• Free on-the-job training and mentorship
• Job placement opportunities
• Get paid on the job
• Choose an employer of your choice
• Get free nurse aide education and testing
• Earn a $500 retention bonus

When you register with our CNA program, you’ll first get employed by a participating nursing home that pays for your CNA training and testing. Once certified, you’ll receive a $500 bonus after working full-time or part-time for six months.

Register with WisCaregiver Careers: Launch Your Health Care Career

There’s a sense of fulfillment when working as a CNA. You’re directly responsible for the patient’s well-being and daily needs and are crucial to their recovery and rehabilitation. Therefore, becoming a CNA allows you to build relationships as you set yourself up for a career in the health care field.

Enrolling in WisCaregiver Careers and getting certified as a nursing aide is a great way to begin this rewarding career. We provide a free CNA program that will not only give you the training you need, but also offers rewarding opportunities. Contact us today to learn how you can launch a career in health care today!