Certified Nursing Assistant

By providing routine patient care, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)  play a vital role in health care delivery. Working under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, they answer patient call lights, serve meals, and check blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and breathing.  Assistants visit with patients while helping them change position, walk, bathe, and eat. They generally have a great deal of patient contact and are important in developing patient relationships that foster trust. Those who work in nursing homes are called geriatric assistants. Some patients are discharged from hospitals needing additional home care. Nursing assistants also called home health aides, allow these people to recover at home rather than in hospitals or nursing homes. They assist with medications, change linens, and teach family members to care for the patient during recovery.

Places of Employment
Hospitals

High School/General Preparation
High School diploma desirable

Special Education/Training
None

Schools
Central Oregon Community College
www.cocc.edu/admit/shells/tech/nursing.html
www.cocc.edu

Columbia Gorge Community College
www.cgcc.cc.or.us/n&e/nursing/nursing.htm
www.cgcc.cc.or.us

Linn-Benton Community College
www.lbcc.cc.or.us/programs
www.lbcc.cc.or.us

Rogue Community College
www2.roguecc.edu/alliedhealth/practical_nursing/home.htm
www.roguecc.edu

Southwestern Oregon Community College
www.southwestern.cc.or.us/academics/course_descript/nursing.html
www.southwestern.cc.or.us

Umpqua Community College
www.umpqua.cc.or.us/health/pnur.htm
www.umpqua.cc.or.us

Licensure, Certification, Registration
Oregon State Board of Nursing
www.osbn.state.or.us

Professional Organization
American Association of Medical Assistants
www.aama-ntl.org