Why Are CNAs Important?

Certified Nurse’s Aides, or CNAs, are nationally celebrated this week. These valuable members of the healthcare team work alongside medical professionals every day. Today, we honor them for their hard work throughout the year. 

CNAs provide services to patients and residents when they need them most. So, in the spirit of this special week, let’s take the time to reflect on why CNAs are important.

The Second Set of Eyes

CNA’s spend a lot of one-on-one time with their patients. They provide assistance with bathing, eating, or getting out of bed. During these times, they have the opportunity to pick up on things that might otherwise go unnoticed. 

Nurse’s aides work with the nurses to identify changes in mental status or skin condition. And they can alert the nurses when patients have problems or need help. A second set of eyes on the patient elevates care and service to the next level. Good CNAs reassure patients, families, and physicians that the team is providing the best care. CNAs are always watching out for their team and their patients. That is one reason why CNAs are so important.

A Shoulder to Cry On

CNAs are compassionate, nurturing, and attentive. See what we did there? It was too easy.

Nurse’s aides play a special role in patient care by getting to know their clients. Many aides spend extra time listening to their worries. 

The CNA’s job is to provide supportive care services. And one of the ways they often do this is by offering emotional and mental support. For example, patients may be upset, frightened, or anxious. During these tough times, they can count on their CNAs to be there for a shoulder to cry on. 

A Helping Hand

Nurse aides in every setting help patients to stay clean, comfortable, and safe. They offer patients a helping hand with meal preparation, making the bed, or tidying up. All the while sharing a cheerful attitude. 

And CNAs also help doctors and nurses. For example, when units are short-staffed or overfilled, CNAs can pull the team together by maintaining many tasks that need to get done. Aides can support providers in many ways, from taking vital signs to checking blood sugars. The helping hands they provide are just another one of the reasons that CNAs deserve to be appreciated.

Putting One Foot In Front of Another

In many healthcare settings, patients are ill or experiencing a health crisis. Frequently, this condition leads to increased fall risk. In addition, physicians and nursing staff cannot stay with the patient at all times, so aide assistance is critical.  

Healthcare providers count on the safety support that CNAs can give with toileting, transferring, and activities that might otherwise be unsafe if the patient had no one there with them. Whether in the hospital or the home setting, CNAs often help patients keep going, putting one foot in front of the other. This is just one more reason why we cherish our CNAs and the support they give.

And these are just a few reasons why nurse aides are an important part of the care team. 

Aides put heart into everything they do. Whether it’s to keep patients safe, assist with needs, offer emotional support, or just help keep an eye on them. Join us in celebrating National CNA week today by recognizing an important CNA in your life!