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Certified Nursing Assistant Career Interview
Amy Harrison is the staffing coordinator for certified nurse assistants at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Iowa, and she has spoken on Capital Hill on behalf of residents and front-line caregivers as a part of the Steering Commission of the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA).
Certified Nursing Assistant Career Path
While working at a retirement community, Amy realized that she wanted to become a certified nurse assistant after watching other certified nursing assistants in action.
“I started as an activity director, and I really wanted to be more hands-on,” she explains. “I really just wanted to help take care of our residents. From the first day, I had a great respect for the certified nurse assistants and wanted to work right along with them.”
Certified Nursing Assistant Experiences
“I began my career at Methodist Manor Retirement Community,” says Amy. “I received my Activity’s Directors License in 2005 and became a certified nurse assistant in 2005 also.”
“In 2006, I went back to school and received my Restorative Aide Certificate, and in 2007, I received my Certified Medical Aide license.”
“Now, I am currently working toward become a registered nurse.”
While going through her certified nursing assistant training, Amy learned all of the skills that a certified nurse assistant needs to know, but it wasn’t until she entered the field that the “real” training came.
“Once I was on the floor and working with the team, it became real to me,” she recalls. “That’s when I really saw the relationships between a certified nurse assistant and the residents.”
Certified Nursing Assistant Degree Programs
All certified nurse assistants must go through a 75-hour training course that is offered by many care facilities. Some states require additional steps to become licensed, such as passing written and skills tests.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Description
Amy is the staffing coordinator at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake, Iowa.
“I am responsible for doing the certified nursing assistant schedule,” she explains. “I interview and hire all certified nurse assistants; I am the leader of our Mentoring Program, which involves training the new employees; and I am responsible for all of the medical purchasing on campus.”
“I am also a member of the National Steering Commission at the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA), and I am the president of the NAHCA Iowa chapter of the Stirring Committee.”
“Do not let all of this fool you,” Amy adds. “I worked on the floor for five years before I fell into this.”
Certified Nursing Assistant Daily Routine
“Everything you do for yourself before you go to work, we are doing for our residents,” says Amy.
Amy and the other certified nurse assistants help their patients shower, dress, comb their hair, brush their teeth, eat, use the restroom, and everything else.
“We hold the hands of our frightened friends when they receive bad news at the doctor’s office, give them hugs, share laughter, and help their family members who are grieving,” Amy explains.
Certified Nursing Assistant: Steps to Success
A successful certified nurse assistant needs to be patient, compassionate, respectful, have a sense of humor, and have a sense of self-worth,
“If you don’t think highly of yourself, you’re probably not going to feel like taking care of anyone else,” says Amy. “You need to be dependable, a team player, and take pride in your career.”
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Opportunities
Although it is easier to become a certified nurse assistant than most other healthcare fields, it’s isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
“To be recognized as a professional certified nursing assistant, it is very hard work,” Amy explains. “You have to sell your skills every day, be the best of the best, and lead the rest. Not everyone can do that.”
Certified Nursing Assistant Favorite Aspect
Amy had the chance to advocate the importance of certified nurse assistants and their work in Washington D.C., and that is one of the highlights of her career.
“I loved letting my nation’s elderly know that they have a voice and that I will make sure that they are heard,” says Amy.
“And of course, I love the hugs!” she adds.
Certified Nursing Assistant’s Future Ambitions
Amy hopes to teach certified nurse assistant classes to impart the knowledge that she has gained.
“I want them to understand the impact that they have on people before they even leave the classroom,” Amy explains. “I want them to know how important their profession is and what it is going to take for them to succeed on the floor.”
In order to teach classes, a certified nurse assistant needs to be a registered nurse, which is why Amy is working toward becoming an RN.
Advice for Prospective Certified Nursing Assistants
“This is a profession, not a job,” says Amy. “You must act like a professional or no one will ever take us seriously. The work that certified nurse assistants do is very important and it impacts lives every day!”
“This is one of the only careers that one person can truly make a difference,” Amy continues, “but when we work as a team, we can change the world.”
