STNA – Nursing Assistants

STNA

One of the areas of the economy that still continue to grow is within the healthcare industry. If you are seeking a challenging and rewarding career that offers substantial opportunities for growth and income, a profession as a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) can be an excellent career choice. A STNA is an integral part of patient care. Working under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN), the STNA performs a wide variety of essential duties closely associated with the patient. While a STNA is certified by the state that he or she works within, there are certain tasks that only an RN or LPN can perform.

As a STNA, plenty of training and expertise is needed to give quality care to patients, as well as assist RN’s, LPN’s and doctors. State Tested Nursing Assistants can find plenty of career opportunities at hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, etc. Usually working under an RN, the STNA assists the nurse in providing a variety of routine care to patients so that the RN can focus on specific tasks that he or she is only licensed to perform (which may include medication administration, surgery prep, nursing assessments and care plans). While the STNA may find that their job description focuses on activities for daily living which includes feeding and bathing patients, they are also essential in communicating the patients condition. State Tested Nursing Assistants are many time viewed as professionals that spend the most time around the patient and the eyes and ears of the RN or LPN.

For those interested in becoming a STNA, there are a wide variety of training and educational resources available. It should be noted that while each training program may include a variety of educational and clinical training, all STNA training regulations are mandated by the federal government and must include a minimum of 75 hours of educational courses, as well as include a minimum of 16 hours of clinical training that is supervised. Those students that complete these courses receive certification. However to maintain your certification, all State Tested Nursing Assistants must complete 12 hours of continuing education per year to stay on top of the latest trends, as well as reinforce their most vital skills.

Most schools that offer STNA courses also offer a wide variety of resources for job placement. In addition to working with local and state health care providers, many schools usually offer a representative to actively job seek for students as well.

Nursing Assistants

Becoming a nursing assistant, is becoming a part of a vital team that gives quality healthcare to variety of patients in hospitals, extended health care facilities, nursing homes and private doctor’s offices. While many sectors of the economy are either in stagnant or negative growth, there is plenty of growth in the healthcare field. In fact, it is forecasted that there will be a shortage of available nursing assistants in the coming years ensuring plenty of demand for the years to come for those that pick this specialized career choice.

Nursing assistants require training by law which is called certification. However, those state approved schools and facilities that offer educational and clinical courses for nursing assistants provide all the necessary training, usually in a convenient, short-term course. In fact, many of these schools and training centers that offer nursing assistant certification offer classrooms that mimic real life working conditions, instructors that have worked in the field for many years, financial aid availability and a strong job placement service. Other advantages of choosing this career also include the generally low cost of tuition compared to other educational routes and the relatively short time it can take to receive a nursing assistant’s certification. This is why, many that choose this career can find themselves in demand in a very short period of time.

While a nursing assistant is not legally certified to conduct certain tasks that require either an LPN or RN’s license, nursing assistants are required to have a very strong grasp of first aid and emergency procedures. Since nursing assistants work very closely with patients, they also must have a good bed side manner and must be able to remain calm in situations where many may find stressful. Other important training that nursing assistants are required to be proficient at include Code Blue and CPR.

For those that are looking for a stable, long term career, as well as would like to make a positive difference in the many patients lives that they care for, becoming a nursing assistant is a very satisfying career.

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