The role of a certified nursing assistant is to offer assistance to nurses who work in various healthcare facilities including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and doctor’s offices and in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes where they provide basic care needs to patients. They may also work with patients in their homes.

There is a certain amount of training necessary for this type of job. Generally it takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the program to complete training. Students are required to get certification and pass an examination before graduating. The classes are usually taught by registered nurses.

As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you will be trained to document patient information such as vital signs, medications taken, and any important information regarding the patient. Documentation is very important and is key when tracking any changes that the patient may go through. As a CNA, you will often times have more patient contact than the doctors and some nurses. Having a caring and friendly personality as well as a sense of humor is beneficial for this field. Because you are dealing with sick patients, a friendly face and a caring attitude goes a long way.

Many colleges or organizations such as The Red Cross offer training programs. In addition to training, good people skills, patience and compassion are needed for this type of work. At the present time there are not any accredited online courses for credited assistant nurses so if a site claims to be accredited an inquiry about the site should be made with the National League for Nursing Accredited Commission.

Some nursing assistants may be required to help lift patients or help with physical therapy. This is especially true for those patients who are in long term care facilities or those who are in a coma or those who are paralyzed, so being physically fit and having knowledge of how to safely lift patients is a plus.