Nursing assistant is one of the most diverse careers coming and going.  One minute he or she could be registering patients and the next be drawing blood.  It’s a career that rarely dull and often hopping.  Yet, working as a nursing assistant can provide you with a great opportunity to explore the field of medicine.  You will have many opportunities to interact with a variety of other medical professionals and technicians, not to mention many opportunities to watch, listen, and learn.

Nursing assistants work hand-in-hand with doctors, nurses, and administrators, often serving a vital and essential role as liaison between doctor and patient.  As a matter of fact, no facility, hospital, clinic or practice could run efficiently without trained nursing assistants.  They are great communicators, and versatile providers of emotional and physical support to clients and patients.

Through the avenue as a nursing assistant, you will gain vital skills in care giving, grow in hands-on experience, and, as in many cases, possibly be inspired to pursue a medical degree or establish a career in an upper level field.  Needless to say, working as a nursing assistant affords you, most of all, an opportunity to gain a perspective of the world of medicine and all those it serves.

Yet, the world of medicine is vast and wide.  Contained within it is a vast array of titles, specialties, and positions.  So, use your time as a nursing assistant wisely.  Do not be afraid to ask medical professionals and technicians in other areas questions. Engage with them.  Get to know what they do, why they do it and who they serve. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore areas in the medical field that is more befitting to you and your goals.

You do not have to have a doctor’s degree to have a fulfilling career in the healthcare field. All you need is a desire to serve and to bring a compassionate and caring touch to the lives of patients, often when they need it the most.

Once you have received your STNA certification, your medical education does not end.  In fact, it is not only a State law, but Federal law, that you be provided with ongoing medical education by the hospital, clinic, nursing home, or facility that employs you.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA 87) orders nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities throughout the nation to provide regular-in-service education for nurse aides. Specifically, the law requires the facility to complete a performance review of every nurse not less than once a year.  Facilities are also required to provide at least 12 hours of in-service education per year to STNAs for the purpose of addressing identifiable needs that appear from the reviews.

Likewise, Ohio Administrative Code §3701-17-07.1 (K), follows the Federal law to the “T.”  It specifically states:

“… each long-term care facility shall provide all of the following to each nurse aide it uses:

(2) Regular performance review to assure that individuals working in the facility as nurse aides are competent to perform the nursing and nursing-related services they perform. Performance reviews shall be conducted at least ninety days after the nurse aide completes successfully the competency evaluation program conducted by the director under division (C) of section 3721.31 of the Revised Code and the applicable rules of Chapter 3701-18 of the Administrative Code or commences work in the facility and annually thereafter. The performance review shall consist, at minimum, of an evaluation of the nurse aide’s working knowledge and clinical performance and shall be conducted by the aide’s immediate supervisor or a nurse designated by the facility to conduct the performance evaluations. The facility shall maintain a written record of each performance review; and

(3) Regular in-service education, both in groups and, as necessary in specific situations, on a one-to-one basis, based on the outcome of performance reviews required by paragraph (K)(2)(a) of this rule. For the purposes of this provision, “specialty unit” means a discrete part of the nursing home that houses residents who have common specialized care needs, including, but not limited to, dementia care, hospice care, and mental health care units.

(a) Formal in-service education shall include an instructional presentation and may include skills demonstration with return demonstration and in-service training. In-service training may be provided on the unit as long as it is directed toward skills improvement, is provided by trained individuals and is documented.

(b) In-service education shall be sufficient to ensure the continuing competence of nurse aides and address areas of weakness as determined in nurse aides’ performance reviews and shall address the special needs of residents as determined by the facility staff. It also shall include, but is not limited to, training for nurse aides providing nursing and nursing-related services to residents with cognitive impairment. The in-service education for nurse aides working in specialty units shall address the special needs of the residents in the unit.

(c) The facility shall assure that each nurse aide receives at least twelve hours of formal in-service education each year and that each nurse aide who works in a specialty unit receives sufficient additional hours of training each year to meet the special needs of the residents of that specialty unit. In-service education may be obtained through web-based training programs. For purposes of this paragraph, the year within which a nurse aide must receive continuing education is calculated based on the commencement of employment."

The nitty-gritty is in-service training is necessary to maintain a valid STNA certificate, as well as ensure your continuing proficiency and expertise.  Any way you look at it, ongoing medical training is a win-win situation for you.  The continued education increases your skills as a top-notch STNA and it is afforded to you by your employer at no cost to you, as mandated by both Federal and State laws.

For the best employment opportunities, be prepared and plan ahead.

“This is a mock job interview to get them ready for entry level jobs.

Hopefully, when they apply for their dream jobs,

they will be more prepared.” ~Kathy Garibay

It is absolutely normal to be anxious and stressing about job interviews. However, if you take the time to prepare, practice and plan, prior to showing up for the interview, the interview process will go smooth and easy. Here are some tips and suggestions:

Start off right. Staffing agencies typically give a resume 30 seconds to decide whether to interview or place the candidate. It is also important to note that your appearance is crucial to a successful interview. Have you heard the old adage, “first impressions are the most lasting?” When you appear for an interview, dress conservatively and well groomed.

Ask colleagues. Acquire tips and suggestions from your colleagues regarding their interview experience. Ask them to participate in mock (practice) interviews with you. This will help you prepare for anticipated questions the interviewer may ask. Here are some topics most always asked during a job interview:

Questions about you.

Questions regarding your work history.

Questions about the subject company.

Questions regarding your future plans.

Behavior-based questions.

Do research. Take the time to research your potential employer and make a list of relevant questions to ask them. It gives the impression you are interested and serious about becoming an employee of their company. At some point, the interviewer may offer you time to ask him/her questions. Below are some questions you may want to ask the interviewer.

How long have some of your best STNAs been employed with your company?

Are there opportunities for advancement within your company for STNAs?

Why do you work for this company?

Can you explain your company’s philosophy and policies?

You can find the “perfect” job with proper planning and thorough preparation!

So, you have completed your training for STNA, passed the State test and received your license, now what? Do you have an idea of where you would like to utilize your training and skills? If not, the first step is to consider the type of employment and environment that fits your personality and goals. STNAs are afforded a wide range of environments in which to work: nursing homes, hospitals, patients’ homes, assisted living facilities and hospice organizations. Furthermore, STNAs can explore the option of working independently as contractors; basically working for themselves.

It is important to research the employers that have openings for STNAs. Put some effort into researching what kind of continuing educational benefits they offer. Do they offer their employees and staff tuition assistance to further one’s credentials in the health care field? Do they provide continuing educational classes on site? If you wish to advance in the medical field, it is most wise to know how and if the prospective employer will assist you in gaining advanced training and education. Most employers will want to have the most trained and educated health care members on staff. However, you must do the research to find the best one.

Part of that research should focus on finding a position that offers flexibility and benefits, such as:

401k contribution

Vacation Pay

Disability Insurance

Medical Insurance

Pension Plan

Flexible Work Hours

The above benefits, when collectively added to your wages, make for a substantial annual salary package. Your salary package, including benefits, is something to give thorough consideration before accepting or rejecting an offer of employment.  Quite frankly, when you add all the above benefits together, it is feasible to be presented with an annual salary package valued at approximately $40,000.00.

The crux of the whole shebang is this—a STNA career can be most rewarding, offer flexibility and many benefits. Even if you are intend to work as a STNA for only a short time, to use the position as a stepping stone to a more advanced position, such as LPN, RN, and even MD, the benefits are many. Be assured that most STNAs are seen as crucial members of the health care environment. Starting out as an STNA affords you opportunities that present advancement credentials, experience, education, and stable income.