CNAs provide direct patient care, both medical and non-medical. They are typically supervised by registered nurses and often assist LPN nurses in a hospital setting. A CNA's work duties may include:
- Taking vital signs
- Help with some medical procedures
- Assist patients entering or leaving their beds
- Assist patients walking
- Tidy patient's rooms
- Answer call lights
- Make beds
- Deliver messages
- Monitoring patients and reporting changes
- Collecting samples for testing
- Provide patient hygiene
- Feeding patients
- Monitoring food and liquid input/output
CNAs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient facilities, long term care facilities, clinics and in home care. CNAs are often given patient duties that are undesirable to other hospital staff. Home health nurses aides typically work independently with little direct supervision.
