The Role of CNAs in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) offer support to healthcare staff members and patients, playing an essential role in various medical settings. In these entry-level positions, CNAs perform basic medical care tasks and carry out other important duties. 

CNAs work in a wide range of places, such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and more. From assisting with daily activities and administrative work to performing medical tasks, they are integral to healthcare teams.

Career Opportunities 

Due to their skill set, CNAs are in high demand. With many career opportunities available, it is important to consider how responsibilities can vary across workplaces.

Common healthcare settings for CNAs include:

• Assisted living/retirement communities: Residents in these communities often do not require nonstop care, and CNAs may monitor for health conditions, perform housekeeping duties, and help with routine tasks.

• Clinics: Urgent care clinics employ them to support nurses and physicians. This can include duties like taking vital signs, preparing rooms, or providing basic care.

• Government facilities: CNAs can work in places such as military hospitals, state health agencies, or Veterans Affairs community living centers.

• Home healthcare: Some CNAs provide care in patients' homes, preparing meals, helping with bathing, or cleaning.

• Hospice: They can provide assistance to hospice physicians and nurses in caring for patients with terminal illnesses and offering comfort to families. 

• Hospitals: In hospitals, CNAs help registered nurses (RNs) with medical duties and more.

• Nursing homes: They are responsible for tasks such as daily activities support, vital sign monitoring, etc.

• Private practice: CNAs can work at offices with standard business hours, preparing exam rooms, recording medical history, and contributing to medical care.

• Schools: They can provide first aid, administer medications, and call guardians when necessary.

• Various locations (traveling nurses): Traveling CNAs enjoy flexibility as they visit patients at home and travel as needed.

CNAs in Hospitals

CNAs are commonly found in hospitals. In these environments, they work alongside nurses and doctors, learning from their expertise while assisting with various tasks throughout the hospital.

They may perform necessary administrative duties, such as taking phone calls, entering data, and monitoring patients. They also communicate with professionals to discuss patient care, regularly consulting with nurses, doctors, or physical therapists.

CNAs transport patients from their rooms to various areas of the hospital and assist with routine activities. This can include support with bathing, eating, and other activities.

Additionally, CNAs are in charge of checking the vital signs of patients, including heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. In some cases, they may perform emergency interventions such as CPR.

CNAs in Nursing Homes

In nursing homes, CNAs care for residents and help them with day-to-day functions. They are primarily responsible for maintaining the comfort, safety, and hygiene of patients who are elderly or chronically ill.

They serve meals to patients, which might also include monitoring their nutrition and appetite. Additionally, they respond to patient calls, as patients may require their help at various times during the day or at night.

Performing inspections and cleaning is sometimes necessary in nursing homes. This ensures that safety measures and legal procedures are followed. 

Further, CNAs in nursing homes assist patients with daily tasks and monitor their vital signs. They may also offer support for medical procedures to professionals. 

Important Distinctions

There are several notable differences between the roles of CNAs in these two healthcare settings. One of the most significant distinctions concerns the patients that they see each day.

In nursing homes, CNAs care for the same patients every day, but in hospitals, they see a wide variety of patients. Most patients in nursing homes are elderly, while the age range of hospital patients varies on a case-by-case basis.

Another major difference is patient relationships. In a nursing home, the staff is able to spend more time with their patients, often leading to the development of closer relationships over time. On the other hand, hospital patients usually stay for a temporary period of time until they are cleared to return home.

Scheduling is another area of distinction. Nursing home CNA shifts are typically 8 hours, whereas hospital shifts are typically 12 hours, although schedules can vary.

The CNA Program at the College of Eastern Idaho

The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI)’s CNA program is the perfect chance for students to kickstart their healthcare career. In this program, you can learn patient care basics through hands-on experience.

You will learn skills surrounding medical terminology, vital signs, patient transportation, communication skills, and more while working with professionals in your field. The CNA program helps you learn how to provide support to doctors and nurses while gaining clinical experience at the same time.

Help from Idaho Healthcare Institute 

At the Idaho Healthcare Institute (IHI), we understand how hard it can be to face financial obstacles in the pursuit of your medical career. Our partnership with the CEI allows us to create opportunities so that nursing students can thrive through their program.

We are currently offering scholarship opportunities for CNA students. Applications must be submitted by the final dates listed for each session.

CNA Program Assistance

At IHI, we are passionate about supporting students through their nursing programs. Wherever you might be on the road to becoming a CNA, we want to help make that journey as smooth as possible.

If you want to learn more about our available resources and scholarship opportunities, contact us today so we can answer any questions you have.