Have you ever considered a career as a certified nursing assistant? The first step toward a career path in the healthcare industry is to understand exactly what that career will be like from day to day. Big Apple Training in White Plains, New York, offers programs on becoming a certified nursing assistant, EKG technician, home health aide, and more. They’ve broken down the average day of a certified nursing assistant to help you decide if this rewarding career is right for you.

Your experience as a certified nursing assistant will vary depending on the type and size of the facility. You may find yourself working 12-hour shifts or eight hours, and the responsibilities of these shifts can change day to day. That said, the following description should give you a good idea of the average tasks and activities of each day as a certified nursing assistant.

Your day usually starts with daily work assignments that you will review to understand the conditions and needs of your patients. Typically, the nursing assistant who was responsible for these patients in the last shift will pass on relevant information to you. After reviewing that information, it will be time to start interacting with your patients.

Throughout the day, you will be responsible for checking and recording your patients’ vital signs, assisting with meals, changing bed linens, assisting with your patients’ personal hygiene, and helping to transport patients to different areas as needed. In general, certified nursing assistants are available for ad hoc requests from the nurse responsible for each patient, which can sometimes entail tasks such as collecting bodily fluid samples or responding to calls from the patient.

The goal of certified nursing assistants is to aid in the comfort and care of their patients, and this process is both rewarding and challenging. Throughout every task, no matter how seemingly small, certified nursing assistants act with grace and compassion.

The healthcare industry is booming, and professionals with skills and experience as certified nursing assistants, phlebotomists, EKG technicians, and home health aides are always in high demand. If you feel this career path is right for you, Big Apple Training will help. Their comprehensive programs will teach you everything you need to know to succeed in the healthcare industry. To learn more about their programs, visit their website or call (914) 437-7373.