Border Art Residency

A Registered Nursing Assistant is also known as a Nursing Aide. Their work involves close contact with patients and carrying out routine activities needed by the patient or to assist the patient in carrying out those activities. Most Nursing Assistants work in hospitals or nursing home facilities. Some work in psychiatric hospitals.

Some of the things that a Registered Nursing Assistant does are as follows: help patients to feed, bathe, and groom themselves; respond when nurses are called; make beds; take patient’s temperature and other vital signs; monitor patients both physically and emotionally. They may have to empty bed pans or change dirty linens. At times their patients can be confused or uncooperative. Occasionally they help with general care of the facility. This might mean moving equipment and supplies around, reorganizing, etc. Or they may help other medical professionals with certain procedures. Perhaps they would be used to calm a patient whom they are close to before and during a particular procedure. Many times the Nursing Assistant has more contact and a closer relationship with the patient than other people have. These close relationships can make for a very rewarding job. Often times Nursing Assistants work with patients who need long term care.

According to Federal law, you must have at least 75 hours of State approved training and pass a formal evaluation in order to become a Registered Nursing Assistant. Some states may have other requirements as well. Qualities that a Nursing Assistant should possess are good communication skills, patience, dependability, and a desire to help people. You can get Nursing Assistant training at a community college, a vocational school, or at a high school or nursing home facility. Courses of study would include nutrition, physiology, infection control, personal care, and body mechanics. The more a registered nurse can do, the higher the average registered nurse salary will be. Experience level and schooling is a big variable in the average income for nurses.

Physically the Registered Nursing Assistant should be in very good health. The job may be taxing on the stamina. Since they sometimes will have to lift and move patients, they should be properly trained in how to do so safely for both their own health and that of the patient. There is also a chance of exposure to disease or infection so the Nursing Assistant should be aware of and practice normal precautionary measures.

There are not many opportunities for advancement in this field; however, students who are considering a job in healthcare will often work in this profession in order to decide whether to pursue their career of choice. Registered Nursing Assistants may become medical assistants or move into Nursing as a career. There will however continue to plenty of jobs available for Registered Nursing Assistants. As a matter of fact, there are expected to be numerous more jobs in this profession. This particular career is one that you will always be able to find work in once you have done it.