What does a State Registered Nurse Aide do?
Assist with dressing, full and partial bed baths, bed making, catheter care, clearing an obstructed airway on a conscious adult, denture care, nail care, perineal care, measure and record vital signs, height and weight, assist with positioning, oral care, positioning and range of motion exercising, transferring a resident, hand washing, resident rights and how to identify and report abuse and neglect, restorative and rehabilitation care, meeting the needs of a resident with cognitive, social, physical, speech and hearing impairments, basic emergency procedures, and health problems related to aging or chronic health problems.
As a nurse aide you may choose to work in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, adult day care facilities, long-term care and hospice, as well as home care. Because there will always be a need for skilled nursing assistants, you can rest assured that your services will be in high demand for years to come. The nurse aide is a key part of the health care team and represents the link between the client and the registered nurse responsible for that client.
Nursing Shortage in Health Care Industry
Nursing shortage refers to a situation where the demand for nurses is greater than the supply. This is the current situation for nursing, which includes registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and State Registered Nurse Aides (SRNAs). This shortage is not limited to America alone, as the problem exists in countries all over the world.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, in their 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook states the job outlook for nursing assistants is excellent and employment is expected to grow faster than other occupations. Employment for certified nursing aides is expected to grow 19%, which is even higher than nursing in general. This result is primarily in response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population and the financial pressures on hospitals to discharge patients as soon as possible. With an enormous number of baby boomers coming into retirement age and the US population projected to grow at least 18% over two decades in the 21st century, and the population of those sixty-five and older expected to increase at three times that rate, the number of healthcare providers needed greatly increases.
As a result, new jobs will be more numerous in nursing and residential care facilities than in hospitals, and growth will be especially strong in community care facilities for the elderly. Modern medical technology will also drive demand for nursing aides, as the technology saves and extends more lives, thus increasing the need for long-term care provided by aides.
In August of 2010 ABC News presented to the public a segment on the nursing/health care shortage. ABC stated that despite the unemployment numbers there continues to be a nursing shortage in our country and some of the top hospitals are continually trying to fill that shortage, yet never seem to have enough SRNAs, LPNs or RNs coming through their doors.
Come join our SRNA course for an exciting new career in high demand. This course not only provides you a new career or may be your first step to becoming a nurse. Most nursing programs require this course as a pre-requisite to your nursing program.
