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Nursing Assistants - You're Never "Just" a CNA
By Linda Leekley
Throughout your health care career, have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'm only a CNA"? If so, you're not alone. It's a common "mistake" that we all make...minimizing our importance and our contribution to the workplace.
As a nurse, I've made similar comments from time to time...saying, "Oh, I'm just a nurse. Let me ask the doctor." Statements like these show a lack of confidence. It's as if we don't respect ourselves...so how can we ask others to respect what we do?
If you ever feel a drop in your confidence or find yourself telling people that you are "just" a CNA, then consider all the skills you have learned-and continue to learn. You use these skills in your current job, but they can also help you in other jobs throughout your life. Here are a few of the skills that show your professionalism every single day:
- Meeting the personal care needs of ambulatory and bed bound clients.
- Reviewing paperwork to check for errors and to make sure it is complete.
- Serving clients meals that are nutritious and help improve their health.
- Promoting client and staff safety by following all workplace safety guidelines.
- Making suggestions to the health care team about how to better meet the needs of your clients.
- Documenting your client care accurately and promptly-and according to workplace policies.
- Completing your assignments as ordered and on schedule.
- Delivering quality client care under the supervision of a nurse or therapist.
- Ensuring client safety by using the proper equipment at all times.
- Motivating your clients to keep up with exercise plans set up by their therapists.
- Maintaining confidentiality about clients and coworkers.
- Continuing to learn new things by participating in all scheduled inservices and staff meetings.
- Prioritizing your client care so that all your client's needs are met.
- Encouraging client independence by having your clients participate in their care.
- Identifying when you need help and then asking for it.
- Utilizing all your knowledge and skills to bring a better quality of life to your clients.
- Following nursing and physician orders exactly.
- Observing your clients for problems and reporting them right away.
- Helping to teach and train new aides.
- Helping coworkers when necessary to promote teamwork in your workplace.
- Maintaining a high standard of quality in your work at all times.
The list goes on and on! As a trained nursing assistant, you have much to contribute and should be proud of your accomplishments. And, thanks for all you do...from a grateful nurse.
Linda H. Leekley BS, RN
President, Just for CNAs
At Just for CNAs, you'll find professional online inservices to keep you in the know. With more than 120 inservice topics, Just for CNAs has the solution to nearly any problem you face as a nursing assistant. Using our inservices ensures that you will learn more--and achieve more. At the Just for CNAs website, you'll also find a blog full of helpful information for busy nurse aides.
Please visit my website at http://www.justforcnas.com to try out a FREE Inservice Topic.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Leekley
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