Brief descriptions of required coursework
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is responsible for providing essential healthcare services to patients, usually working alongside a registered nurse. This professional can also be referred to as a nurse’s aide, patient care assistant, or simply nursing assistant.
Nursing assistants provide basic care and help with activities of daily living. They typically do the following:
- Clean and bathe residents
- Help patients use the toilet and dress
- Turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs
- Listen to and record patients’ health concerns and report that information to nurses
- Measure patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
- Serve meals and help patients eat