Older teens can work in nursing homes. However, you must be 18 years old (due to liability) to work in a facility. Otherwise, you can ask about the volunteer jobs that are available. Sometimes teens can work as dietary aides (cleaning dishes, etc.). They may also be employed to stock supplies or perform cleaning. Teen volunteers normally have to be at least 15 years old. If you are keenly interested in working as a certified nursing assistant and eventually as a nurse, then you will enjoy this type of environment. However, again, you need to be at least 18 years old to work in a paid position. The topics covered in this article include the following: The Importance of A CNA Designation Working as A CNA CNA Training and Testing Working as A Volunteer The Importance of A CNA Designation That is because residents in nursing facilities are provided with professional caregiver services. The use of caregivers is included in the cost of a patient’s care. So, in order to be paid, you generally need to obtain a certified nursing assistant designation or CNA. This type of license will help you assist elderly people who are frail, or have specialized physical or medical conditions or disabilities. Therefore, nursing home residents need the assistance of a professional who can assist them and knows what to do. If you are not medically trained, you can advertise to be a companion for an elderly person. As mentioned, gaining volunteer experience can help you obtain the necessary training or work, for instance, as a CNA, when you are older. What the Statistics Reveal By 2050, the population of older people will double from the 2012 population of about 84 million. Therefore, the need for nursing home employees will also be in great demand. As a result, if you enjoy caring for the elderly, you can make inroads in this field if you are interested in nursing home work. If you are setting your sights to work as a certified nursing assistant or nurse then, you can prepare now for working in a nursing home. Working in a nursing facility is special as you are considered a collective member of the healthcare team. Because the patients are long-term residents, you get to know them and their conditions during their care. An Important Member of the Healthcare Team Whether you work as a certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, or registered nurse, you hold an important position in the interdisciplinary team. This team is also comprised of occupational therapists, speech therapy workers, social workers and case management workers. Working as a nursing assistant enables you to develop a specific skillset – skills that are different than what are used in clinics or hospitals. These kinds of skills permit you to fully concentrate on resident care. Rehabilitation, therapy, and hospice skills differentiate nursing assistants and nurses from caregivers in more traditional settings. Caregivers in nursing facilities also have more involvement in the case management of residents. Special Communication Skills In a nursing home, it is important to deliver care with dignity, respect, and compassion. You also must be cognizant of various forms of communication. For instance, if a resident cannot see, hear, or talk, it makes them especially vulnerable. Therefore, you need to develop nonverbal communication skills. In a nursing facility, caregivers get to know patients better – a bond that develops as the result of long-term care. As a result, one-on-one care is emphasized more in these settings. If you plan to work as a nurse one day then, working in a nursing home also enables you to sharpen any skills in pharmacology. However, your skills are also more concentrated when working as a health care provider. That is because, medically, a nursing home represents a low-intensity environment. Working as A CNA You can initially gain working experience in a nursing home by working as a CNA. CNAs are responsible for basic care services, such as grooming, feeding, and bathing patients. They assist nurses with medical devices, and check a patient’s vital signs. CNA Qualifications CNAs provide important emotional and social support, and supply vital information on each patient’s conditions to nurses. You need to possess a high school diploma or GED as well as completion of a six-to-twelve week CNA certificate program. The median salary annually for this type of work is around $25,000 per year. When you are a CNA in a nursing home, you are on the front lines with respect to patient care and daily operations. Your skills and compassion in the area of patient care lessens the stress of the people who are sick or cannot care for themselves. CNAs are also referred to as nurse’s aides and patient care technicians. They work under the supervision of a nurse practitioner to assist patients with daily living tasks. Because CNAs work one-on-one with patients, they can develop close bonds with them. No two days, working as a CNA, are exactly alike. The responsibilities that you perform depend on the time of your work shift and the kind of nursing facility. Good Organizational Skills are Required As a CNA in a nursing home, you need to be well-organized. That is because you typically manage multiple patients at one time. For example, while breakfast is being served, you may be asked to change bedsheets. Being a CNA goes beyond providing support to patients. You also need to help the RNs in a nursing facility. Not only will you maintain charts or provide reports for the next shift, you will also be asked to gather needed medical supplies, admit new patients, and prepare patient rooms. According to surveys and research, about 85 percent of CNAs said they interacted face-to-face with patients and 50 percent noted they spent time walking throughout the day. Because you have regular patient interaction, you need to be cooperative, reliable, and able to cope with stressful situations on a routine basis. Projections for Growth CNAs are usually paid on an hourly basis, so you may be able to pick up additional hours. If you want to work in a nursing home as a CNA, the predicted rate of growth for the job is excellent. Employment is projected to increase by 17%. The national average is 7%. CNA Training and Testing Programs that train CNAs are featured at medical facilities, trade schools and community colleges. Before you enroll in a program then, make sure it is approved by the nursing board in your state. Once you complete the CNA curriculum, you will need to prepare for and take the state exam. Aspiring CNA candidates are expected to answer questions about patient rights, legal and ethical behavior, daily living activities, and working as a member of the health care team. Sample Test Questions on the CNA Licensure Test You can find test preparation materials online for the CNA examination. Some of the sample questions include the following: How should a nursing assistant obtain the most precise weight for a patient? With whom can you share a patient’s personal information? What are the best methods to use to show a patient you are listening to them? CNA Coursework Classroom instruction for a CNA includes: Basic nursing skills Nutrition Physiology and anatomy Infection control CNA-to-RN Bridge Programs Students also gain hands-on clinical experience. You can take your experience as a CNA and continue your education as a registered nurse. Some schools offer CNA-to-RN bridge programs. These programs allow students to complete schooling in under two years. Continuing Education To earn a CNA licensure and designation, you need to pass the state competency exam. The exam features a multiple choice section and test-takers are expected to show specific skills in a clinical-type setting. In order to maintain your licensure, you should complete 48 hours of continuing education every two years. Many nursing homes cover the cost of CNA classes for their employees. Working as A Volunteer To apply as a volunteer in a nursing home, again, you need to be at least 15 years old. You also need to love being around older people. One of the main purposes for volunteers is to engage the residents. Therefore, if you like to play bridge, for instance, you may be asked to establish the card game or take part in the home’s resident activities. If you can steer a wheelchair, too, you may be needed to transport nursing home residents to various areas in the home. Are you committed to the idea of working as a caregiver? Then, working in a nursing home in a paid position is possible. You will like work in a nursing facility, especially if you are interested in working as a CNA. Some nursing homes even pay for your training. This is a good place to begin if you are currently 18 years old or older.
Working at a nursing home can be a great opportunity for older teens. However, it’s important to note that you must be at least 18 years old to work in a paid position due to liability concerns. If you’re not yet 18, there may be volunteer opportunities available such as working as a dietary aide or performing cleaning and stocking tasks. Typically, teen volunteers need to be at least 15 years old.
If you have a strong interest in pursuing a career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or nurse, working in a nursing home can be a valuable experience. However, it’s important to obtain the necessary certification and training before working in this role. The article covers topics such as the importance of a CNA designation, what it’s like to work as a CNA, and the training and testing required to become certified. Additionally, volunteering can provide valuable experience and skills that can be useful in pursuing a career in healthcare.
The Importance of A CNA Designation
The Significance of Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant
Professional caregiver services are an essential part of nursing homes, and they are included in the cost of a patient’s care. In order to provide such services, you typically need to have a certified nursing assistant (CNA) designation. This credential enables you to assist elderly individuals who are frail or have specific medical conditions or disabilities.
Due to their vulnerability, nursing home residents require professional assistance from individuals who are trained in their care. If you are not medically qualified, you can offer to be an elderly person’s companion. You can also gain experience through volunteer work, which can help you acquire the necessary training and eventually secure a job as a CNA or in another healthcare-related field.
Statistics on Nursing Home Employment
According to projections, the population of older individuals will double from the 2012 figure of around 84 million by 2050. As a result, there will be a high demand for nursing home staff. If you have a passion for caring for seniors, you can explore a career in this field.
Preparing for a Career in Nursing Home Work
If you have an interest in becoming a CNA or a nurse, now is the time to start preparing for a future in nursing homes. Working in these facilities is unique because it allows you to become an important member of the healthcare team and develop strong relationships with long-term residents.
A Vital Role in the Interdisciplinary Team
Whether you work as a certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, or registered nurse, your position on the interdisciplinary team is essential. This team is made up of various healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, speech therapists, social workers, and case managers.
Working as a nursing assistant requires a specific skillset that differs from that of clinics or hospitals. These skills allow you to concentrate fully on resident care, including rehabilitation, therapy, and hospice skills that differentiate nursing assistants and nurses from caregivers in more traditional settings. Additionally, caregivers in nursing facilities are often more involved in the case management of residents.
Effective Communication Skills in Nursing Homes
The provision of care with dignity, respect, and compassion is vital in nursing homes. Communication is a crucial component of delivering quality care, and in nursing homes, you must be aware of different forms of communication. This is particularly important when caring for vulnerable residents who may have visual, hearing, or speech impairments, requiring the development of nonverbal communication skills.
In nursing homes, caregivers build a strong bond with residents as they receive long-term care. As a result, the focus is on providing one-on-one care. Working in a nursing home can also help you enhance your pharmacology skills, which is beneficial if you plan to become a nurse in the future. Additionally, working in this setting allows for concentrated skills development, as nursing homes provide a low-intensity environment for medical care.
Exploring the Field of Nursing as a CNA
If you’re interested in gaining experience in the nursing field, starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a great way to begin. CNAs are responsible for providing basic care services such as grooming, feeding, and bathing patients, as well as assisting nurses with medical devices and checking vital signs.
Qualifications for Becoming a CNA
As a CNA, you play an important role in providing emotional and social support, as well as crucial information on patients’ conditions to nurses. To become a CNA, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED, as well as completion of a six-to-twelve week CNA certificate program. The median annual salary for this position is approximately $25,000.
As a CNA in a nursing home, you are at the forefront of patient care and daily operations. Your skills and compassion in patient care can alleviate the stress of those who are ill or unable to care for themselves. CNAs may also be referred to as nurse’s aides or patient care technicians, and work under the supervision of a nurse practitioner to assist patients with their daily living tasks.
Because CNAs work directly with patients, they can form close bonds with them. Working as a CNA is never the same each day, and the responsibilities you undertake may vary depending on your work shift and the type of nursing facility you work in.
Essential Organizational Skills for CNAs in Nursing Homes
As a CNA in a nursing home, strong organizational skills are crucial as you often manage multiple patients simultaneously. For example, while serving breakfast, you may need to change bedsheets or attend to other patient needs.
Apart from providing support to patients, CNAs are also required to assist RNs in nursing facilities. This includes maintaining charts, preparing patient rooms, admitting new patients, and ensuring the availability of necessary medical supplies. Since CNAs interact with patients regularly, they need to be cooperative, reliable, and capable of handling stressful situations on a routine basis.
Projected Growth in CNA Employment
CNAs are typically paid on an hourly basis, providing opportunities to pick up additional hours. Employment opportunities in nursing homes for CNAs are predicted to grow rapidly, with a projected growth rate of 17%, which is higher than the national average of 7%.
CNA Training and Testing
CNA training programs are offered at medical facilities, trade schools, and community colleges. When considering a program, ensure that it is approved by the nursing board in your state. After completing the CNA curriculum, you will need to prepare for and pass the state exam. The CNA licensure test covers topics such as patient rights, legal and ethical behavior, daily living activities, and working as a member of the healthcare team.
Sample Questions on the CNA Licensure Test
You can find test preparation materials online for the CNA examination. Some sample questions that may be asked include:
- What is the most accurate method for a nursing assistant to obtain a patient’s weight?
- With whom can you share a patient’s personal information?
- What are the best ways to demonstrate to a patient that you are listening to them?
CNA Coursework
Classroom instruction for CNAs typically covers basic nursing skills, nutrition, physiology and anatomy, and infection control. In addition to classroom instruction, students also gain hands-on clinical experience.
CNA-to-RN Bridge Programs
For those interested in advancing their careers, some schools offer CNA-to-RN bridge programs. These programs allow students to use their experience as a CNA and continue their education as a registered nurse. With a bridge program, students can complete their schooling in under two years.
Continuing Education
To obtain and maintain a CNA licensure, passing a state competency exam is required. The exam includes a multiple-choice section and clinical skills testing. Additionally, it is important to complete 48 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain your licensure. Many nursing homes cover the cost of CNA classes for their employees.
Working as A Volunteer
Volunteering in a nursing home can be a fulfilling experience if you are at least 15 years old and enjoy spending time with older individuals. One of the primary responsibilities of volunteers is to engage with the residents, which may involve activities like playing games or assisting with transportation.
If you have a passion for caregiving, you may consider pursuing a paid position in a nursing home, particularly as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Some nursing homes even offer paid training for CNAs. This can be an excellent career option for individuals who are 18 years old or older and are interested in working in a nursing facility.
