电竞赚钱网址登录在线

Making the Most of Learning Time Outside the Classroom

Students preparing to embark on a CNA career have valuable resources available to help learn more about potential workplaces, build strong networks of peers and professionals, join professional organizations and know what to expect from a CNA career. Learn about gaining CNA experience while still in school, discover useful student resources, and get tips on building a resume, networking and navigating that first CNA job upon graduation.

Exploring Certified Nurse Assisting

Workplaces to Explore

CNAs provide care to patients and facility residents in different settings, and with each setting may come different responsibilities and expectations. Common CNA workplaces include:

Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities are regulated by Medicare and generally hire often, so it's common for CNAs to start out here. CNAs in skilled nursing facilities can expect to care for multiple patients at once and should be prepared to get through large volumes of work rather quickly.

Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are similar to skilled nursing facilities, except they aren't regulated by Medicare and are therefore not required to provide nursing services. However, nurses and CNAs often work in these settings to provide custodial care and assistance to residents.

Assisted Living Facilities
Residents of assisted living facilities often need limited help with certain activities. Unlike residents and patients in other CNA work settings, residents in assisted living facilities can do many activities on their own, making for a less intensive care-based environment with the opportunity to develop strong relationships with residents.

Hospitals
Hospital work is highly sought by CNAs for scheduling reasons, having the support of highly trained staff and the employee benefits that hospitals typically provide. These positions usually aren't easy to get, but a good way to get a foot in the door is by volunteering at a local hospital and expressing interest in working there as a CNA.

Home Health Aide Agencies
Home health CNA positions are also popular among professionals. Rather than provide care for many patients at a time, home health CNAs provide one-on-one care to patients, usually in that patient's home.

Career Exploration Resources

Students can gain hands-on experience and knowledge while still in school with internships and job shadowing. The chart below details some of these work experience options commonly available to CNA students, with more information on how to obtain each type of position.

Job Shadow

WHAT IT ENTAILS

Students follow professional CNAs through a typical work shift, mostly observing but occasionally helping with basic tasks. Students may be able to shadow multiple professionals to get a fuller view of CNA job duties.

BENEFITS

• See exactly what CNA professionals do on a daily basis
• Learn about different, related care positions and how they interact with CNA care
• Observing different professionals provides insight into various opportunities, techniques and professional interests

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. Talk to a school career counselor, CNA instructor or program director to learn about facilities that welcome job shadowing

OR

1.  Search for local health care facilities
2.  Reach out to facilities directly, explaining you are a student looking for a job shadow assignment

EXAMPLE

Mosaic Life Care  in Missouri offers students the opportunity to earn observation hours through their job shadowing program.

Florida Hospital  offers job shadowing and observation along with internship, career and education opportunities

Internship

WHAT IT ENTAILS

Students learn how to perform the job duties and carry out the responsibilities of a professional CNA. A combination of observational and hands-on learning gives students a feel for the actual work CNAs do in clinics, hospitals and other health facilities.

BENEFITS

• Gain real-world professional experience while still in school
• Gain practical skills that directly apply to future careers and look good on resumes
• May provide college credit or monetary compensation
• Build a professional network

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. Contact local hospitals and clinics and ask about internship opportunities for students

OR

1. Talk to a school career counselor or ask an instructor or program director about local internships

EXAMPLE

MedStar St. Mary's Hospital  in Maryland offers paid and unpaid internships to high school and college students interested in becoming CNAs.

Many hospital systems around the nation, including United Hospitals in Wisconsin offer  Student Nurse Intern Opportunities  for those interested in working and training as a nurse.

Volunteer

WHAT IT ENTAILS

Volunteers provide a great deal of help in health care facilities, performing a range of tasks from clerical work to basic patient care. While volunteers aren't able to perform full CNA duties, students can test the waters and make observations in various settings to see if CNA work will suit them.

BENEFITS

• Low-pressure opportunity to get familiar with the field and job duties
• Give to the community while gaining resume-building skills
• Generally requires little prior knowledge or experience
• Meet and connect with medical professionals, students and other volunteers

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. Call or visit local health care facilities and inquire about volunteer opportunities
2. Get all required vaccinations
3. Complete orientation and training

EXAMPLE

Students can volunteer in a number of different settings at  Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center  to experience many different care aide areas.

Students can help  UC San Diego  health care workers provide the best care they can by volunteering in a variety of ways.

Mentorship

WHAT IT ENTAILS

Through mentorships, prospective CNAs work with nurses earning advanced degrees or full time nursing professionals to gain insight into the health care field and get advice on CNA education.

BENEFITS

• Get personal advice from a CNA who has been in similar circumstances
• Have a solid support system to keep motivated and confident
• Establish personal relationships and become an active part of a nursing community

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. Search online for CNA mentorship programs in your area
2. Reach out and ask about how to get involved

OR

1. Talk to an instructor or education program director to connect you with mentorship opportunities

OR

1. See if any clubs, organizations or professional and student associations offer mentorship programs

EXAMPLE

The  Canadian Nurses Association  offers online mentoring, so CNA students can get guidance without being restricted by location.

Penn State  connects nursing students with mentoring alumni who work in related fields.

Questions to Ask

At the Interview

CNA students can ease some of the stress of interviewing for work experience opportunities by making sure they are well-prepared for their interviews. The lists below offer examples of the questions CNA students should be prepared for.

• Collapse All
• Expand All

Why are you interested in becoming a CNA?

If people are willing to take the time to help train students and familiarize them with the field, they'll want to make sure that their time and effort is well-spent. Students who don't show enthusiasm for CAN work can expect an equally lackluster response from interviewers.

Could you describe your education/training up to this point?

Care facilities will likely want to gauge potential CNA volunteers' and interns' knowledge and experience so they can determine whether they can carry out the tasks and responsibilities the position requires.

How do you feel about helping provide personal care, particularly to patients of the opposite sex?

Personal care is an important part of being a CNA, and while an interviewer might not expect students to have extensive experience administering it, they will want to know if a potential intern or volunteer is comfortable with a variety of types of patients and is willing to learn.

Some patients may refuse your help or become aggressive. How would you react to a situation like this?

Interviewers want to see how students will handle difficult situations. Questions like these provide students a good opportunity to answer with an example of how they acted in a similar situation, such as with a stubborn or irate customer.

Do you have any questions for me?

Students looking for CNA internships, mentorships, job shadows or volunteer opportunities should always come into the interview prepared with questions for the interviewee. A solid list of questions can be one of the best student resources for those seeking work experience while in school. Some suggestions are listed below:

Questions to ask the Interviewee:

• What are the CNA-to-patient and nurse-to-patient ratios?
• As a volunteer/intern/mentee, how would my roles and responsibilities as a caregiver progress?
• Who would I get to work with? Would I work with multiple nurses or just one?
• How often are employment opportunities made available to interns/volunteers?

On the Job

While completing an internship, job shadow, mentorship or volunteer program, CNA students should not only ask questions of those guiding them, but they should also perform self-checks to see if they are getting the information and experience they want from their work opportunity. Here are some questions CNA students will want to get answered during their time at an internship, job shadow or mentorship:

• Collapse All
• Expand All

What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of being a CNA?

If students want a candid, realistic look at the profession, they should be open about asking about the pros and cons of being a CNA. Remember, this is an opportunity to determine whether CNA work is a good fit.

What are the dynamics between CNAs, nurses, doctors and other staff members like?

Either by observing or asking, it's helpful to note how different professionals interact with one another. Is there mutual respect, or does a clear hierarchy seem to be in place?

What are some of the biggest challenges you've had to overcome as a CNA?

The personal experiences of a veteran CNA can be invaluable student resources. Whether it's struggling with attachment to patients or handling the workload, CNA students can know that they aren't alone and learn how to cope with the early challenges of CNA work.

How does what I've learned here compare with what I've learned in school?

Students may find that the skills, behaviors and techniques learned while working or observing in a health care facility support and enhance what they've learned in school. Sometimes, they'll find that the facility is in conflict with their educational experience. By noting which facilities have practices they are and aren't comfortable with, CNA students can narrow their job search in the future.

What other training opportunities are available for future CNAs?

Asking someone at the facility or finding about additional training can help CNA students continue their learning experience and display genuine interest in the field and potential careers to facility staff members.

CNA Student Networking Resources

• Join student groups and local associationsStarting with small organizations for medical students and professionals is an excellent way to get to know members of the local medical community. Not only can this reveal job opportunities, but it's often easy to find career-specific groups at the local level. This means CNA students can join associations specifically for CNAs as well as other groups in related career fields, thus broadening their networks.
• Volunteer or intern in a setting that interests youVolunteer and internship opportunities are great for gaining professional experience and academic credit, but CNAs can take these experiences further in a few ways. Students should aim to volunteer or intern in places they can actually see themselves working. If the facility is hiring near the end of the internship or volunteer period, students may end up with the ideal job right away. Interns and volunteers should also go beyond performing tasks to build their networks.
• Attend CNA and nursing conferencesGoing to conferences hosted by professional associations, academic institutions or health care facilities not only gives CNA students the opportunity to keep up with current issues in the care aide field but also allows them to meet professionals and students. Often, the same people will attend different conferences, which can result in more familiarity and opportunities to strike up conversation.
• Use social mediaSocial media site like  LinkedIn  are popular networking tools for professionals in many fields, but CNAs can also use nursing-specific social networking sites to gain professional questions and learn more about the field. Websites like  Nurses Lounge  and  NursingNetwork  can help CNAs connect with one another and other medical professionals, find jobs and showcase their experience.

Clubs & Organizations for CNA Students

CNA-affiliated clubs and organizations are excellent student resources that allow CNAs and students to connect with peers and professionals, learn about education and career opportunities and engage in an ongoing dialogue about the profession.

CNA students can begin their search within their institutions and local communities, or they can look into national nursing organizations and associations like these:

American Nurses Association: Student Nurses

The ANA offers special benefits and tools for student members, including discounted membership, access to journals and publications and information about conferences and events.

National Association of Heath Care Assistants

This organization strives for the continued improvement of CNA performance by providing support and advocacy resources, like peer coaching, assistance transitioning to a new state and continuing education opportunities.

National Network of Career Nursing Assistants

Members of this organization have the opportunity to participate in projects, education and training programs, and professional and legislative discussions.

National Student Nurses' Association

This association is comprised of and run by nursing students in degree programs of all levels with the goal of providing mentorship opportunities to nursing students. The organization also hosts many conferences and conventions for students.

CNA Student Certification Prep: Study Resources

In order to practice as a CNA, students must pass a state certification exam. Get complete information on CNA certification  here . There are many study resources for CNA students that can help them tackle the written and practical portions of the exam. Practicing with mock personal health scenarios and understanding empathy-gauging multiple choice questions can take some pressure away from CNA exam stress.

CNA Exam Cram

This comprehensive website provides tons of information, guides and tools in various formats to help students prepare for their CNA exams and beyond.

CNA Training Help

This student resource provides study guides, practice exams and test-taking tips for CNAs.

The Official CNA Study Guide

The official must-have study book for prospective CNAs breaks down all portions of the test, contains practice exams and study guides and has tips from industry professionals.

After Earning a CNA Degree: What's Next?

Completing a CNA program can be both exciting and intimidating. On one hand, it means a huge accomplishment has been made; on the other, graduates have to figure out what comes next. These tips can help CNA graduates land a job, connect with other professionals and advance their careers.

• Collapse All
• Expand All

Building a Resume & Interviewing

• Showcase CNA experiences simply Detailing relevant experience on a resume is important, but CNAs should keep their resumes short and simple. Recruiters will look for work experience but often rely more on the interview process to feel out good CNA candidates.
• Practice good bedside manner While this is sound advice for any interview, being friendly, empathetic and easy to talk to is vital for CNAs, because it will be a major part of their day-to-day work. Interviewers want to see how a potential employee might act around patients and will assess the interviewee's communication skills, also known as bedside manner.
• Include relevant certificates Bringing a hard copy of your resume to the interview is generally a good idea, but CNAs should also bring proof of CPR certification, vaccinations and any continuing education credits they have earned that are pertinent to the job.
• Be prepared to answer situational care questions Getting an idea for how a prospective CNA will treat patients and residents will include sometimes difficult situational care questions. When asked “What would you do if…” or something similar, remember that empathy and patient safety are top priorities. CNA candidates should aim to back up their answers by explaining how they handled a similar situation in real life.

Tips & Advice for Your First Job

• Take notes on the job A CNA's first job can be overwhelming, especially at first. Policies, especially those specific to patient care information and how to best answers questions can take time to remember. Jotting these things down in a notebook not only gives new CNAs something to reference but also can help them remember information more quickly.
• Get to know your patients Understanding patient or resident care needs and idiosyncrasies comes with time, but CNAs can prepare themselves and, as a result, relieve some of the stress of caring for multiple people at once by taking the time to read and review their patients' information. By familiarizing themselves with specifics, like who prefers showers over baths or who needs assistance with prosthetics, new CNAs can provide care with more confidence.
• Watch others New CNAs often try to complete their work “by the book,” which isn't a bad thing. However, by observing seasoned coworkers, new CNAs can learn tricks that increase efficiency. If any activity looks questionable, though, new CNAs should ask about it before doing it themselves.
• Stay fit This tip might seem odd at first, but being a CNA can be an extremely physical job. Not only can the work be fast-paced, it also often requires the strength to lift and steady patients. By staying on top of their health, CNAs can navigate through their rounds more easily and, hopefully, still have some energy at the end of the day.

Joining a Professional Organization

• Start with local CNA groups While national organizations for CNAs and nursing professionals can be excellent student resources, budding CNAs may want to start by joining smaller local associations. Student, alumni and local professional groups provide CNAs the chance to meet people in their own communities who have similar goals and interests, find job opportunities in their area and attend events and conferences without having to travel far.
• Branch out beyond CNA specifics New CNAs might be tempted to only join organizations specific to CNAs and other health aides, but if associations for other medical professionals don't have credential and experience restrictions, CNAs should consider joining some of those, too. By doing so, CNAs add variety and depth to their professional networks and can learn about other related professions they might want to pursue in the future.
• Go to CNA events Organizations and associations typically provide their members with resources that can be accessed online, but the best way to get to know other professionals and engage in discussions about the current CNA climate is by attending organization conferences, conventions and community activities.
• Consider presenting or running for a position New CNAs should not be discouraged from being active participants in their organizations. Putting together presentations to be given at association conventions or even running for office within the organization can increase a CNAs exposure, boost confidence and engage other members in discussions they might not otherwise have.

Continuing Education

• If you're not satisfied, say so While many care facilities offer continuing education through in-services, these sessions may not be as full of information as a new CNA would hope. If CNAs feel they aren't getting helpful information from their facility's training, the should address this with a superior. If nothing can be done, CNAs might want to earn their continuing education units (CEUs) outside of the care facility.
• Be receptive Medical findings and care techniques change and advance all the time. If your textbook or mentor said one thing, and your new training says something else works better, be open and willing to try new methods, even if the old way seems to have been working for you.
• Consider nursing advancement Since CNAs have to earn CEUs anyway, they might want to do so while getting more advanced information and training that can help them branch out into different medical areas, like nursing. After earning a nursing credential, CNAs can still continue their CNA work if they choose, but the additional education increases job opportunities if they outgrow their positions.
• Keep records No matter how long a person has been a CNA, it's extremely important that he or she keep record of all CEUs earned. Many employers require these records before hire. New CNAs should keep a digital or physical file of all their CEUs as soon as they begin taking them.

There are plenty of tips and resources available to CNAs looking to progress through their careers.

Additional Resources for CNA Students

Caring.com: CNAs are Important Too

This online support group for CNAs provides professionals a forum for asking questions, getting and giving advice, connecting with one another and expressing concerns and frustrations.

Just for Nursing Assistants

This advocacy group and support community works to honor and promote the work done by CNAs and build a community of professionals. Find stories and interviews about and by CNAs.

Nursing Assistant Resources on the Web

This blog and information resource provides personal insights into the CNA profession, like CNA basics, job interview dos and don'ts, dealing with doubts and understanding credentials.

PHI National: National Clearinghouse on the Direct Care Workforce

This online national library is an excellent resource for materials related to direct care work.