While being a CNA is both challenging and rewarding, it is important for the CNA to become aware of patient rights. CNA training will educate CNA on these rights.

2. Introduction Although not having work experience or possessing a high school diploma may still allow one to become a nursing assistant or nursing aide, obtaining CNA training and taking the certification exam to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) will enable you to not only learn and practice the duties of a CNA, but CNA training will also ensure that you are aware of patient rights which will help you avoid being the source of patient complaints.

3. CNA Jobs CNA usually work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities that house the sick, elderly, and other infirm individuals that need daily assistance from others. If you are the right individual for this job, CNA training will greatly benefit you to become of great service to others and fulfill your duties in this challenging but rewarding career. There is always a need for CNAs, so if you wish to make a positive change in your life, this may be the career for you.

4. CNA Training CNA training is offered at some high schools, community colleges, Red Cross chapters across the nation, medical facilities, etc. The federal guidelines for CNA training state that a minimum of 75 hours be spent on CNA training. The training can usually be completed in about four to six weeks before taking the state exam. Upon passing the exam, the CNA will be included in the state registry for nursing assistants.

5. CNA Duties CNAs fulfill various functions such as taking vitals, helping with patient feeding, make patient beds, helping with patient grooming needs, bathing patients, helping patients get into beds or get out of beds, escorting patients to examination or operating rooms, escorting patients to lounges, setting up medical equipment, answering patient calls, etc. The duties required vary from one facility to facility. CNA training will enable a nursing assistant to learn how to perform the above duties and many others properly. While CNAs usually spend more time with patients than other medical and healthcare personnel in meeting the basic needs of the patients, CNAs still need to be aware that patients have rights that must be respected. Familiarizing themselves with patient rights is the best way to avoid patient complaints.

6. Patient Rights 1. Full Disclosure Patients need to be kept informed about any information relating to their treatment or stay or other information relating to the patient from the time of admittance throughout the duration of their stay. Of course patients will have questions for the CNA that they may not be able to answer. The proper procedure then is to document the patient's questions on the patient's chart for the doctor, nurse or other medical personnel to answer for the patient or family. 2. Treatment Patients have the right to refuse the treatment that is recommended for them. Although it may make the job of treating them difficult, no patient can be forced to accept treatment. All the CNA has to do is report this refusal to his or her supervisor and document it on the patient's chart.

7. Patient Rights cont. 3. Complaints Patients have the right to complain about the treatment or care that they are receiving. The CNA needs to be aware of the procedures for filing a complaint at the facility that they work at which vary from one place to another and convey this information on the procedures for complaints to the patient who wishes to report their grievances. 4. Abuse CNA training will cover the fact that patients should not be mentally or physically abused which may also include the use of physical or chemical restraints used on patients. Any abuse that is noted by the CNA needs to be reported to the CNA's supervisor and sometimes even the police.

8. Patient Rights cont. 5. Human Dignity It may be hard for many patients to have their basic needs taken care of by another and it is the duty of every CNA to ensure that any help provided to patients still allows the patient to maintain their dignity, self respect and sense of privacy. All information pertaining to the patient should be kept confidential and only disclosed to those individuals that are required to have the information. The motto of "treat others as you would want to be treated" applies here. 6. Religion Patients are allowed to practice any religion of their choosing and can have visitors of any religion that the patient designates. If the visitors do not interfere with medical advice, patient desires should be upheld in all instances.

9. Conclusion These are only a few of the patient rights that will be covered in CNA training that every nursing assistant should consider taking in order to become a better nursing assistant in addition to protecting themselves and the patient. For additional information on CNA training, patient rights and other aspects of certified nursing assistants, visit http://cnatrainingclass411.com/ for more information on this thriving and rewarding career.