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The United States is facing a serious shortage of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). As the population ages and the propensity of chronic illnesses continue to increase, this shortage will grow more severe. It is expected that, by 2020, there will be a demand for five million direct-care workers. This is an increase of 48% from the 2010 demand level. CNAs are a key part of the direct-care workforce and often serve as the first line of defense in providing care for the aging or chronically ill. They fulfill essential tasks to improve the quality of life of their patients. CNAs can be found in a range of healthcare facilities, but are most commonly employed in nursing homes.

For individuals who are looking for a career in which they are sure to be in high-demand, a career as a CNA may be a good choice. In order to become a CNA, trainees must undergo some training and pass an examination in order to receive their certification.

PCHS can help you to earn your certification and to obtain the knowledge and experience you need to succeed in a career as a CNA. Due to the high and growing demand for CNAs, obtaining a position with your certification should not pose any difficulties. In fact, you’ll likely have your choice between a range of facilities.

Take advantage of this opportunity to become a professional whose skills and knowledge will always be in high-demand. In addition to the high demand for CNAs that will benefit your career, experience as a CNA will also open many new doors for advancing your career and education. For example, some CNAs choose to pursue further education and to become registered nurses. If you are interested in becoming an RN, starting as a CNA is a great way to get some firsthand experience in the health care field.

Whatever you aspirations may be, PCHS can help you get there.

Yes, it is true. This shortage is only expected to worsen as the population ages and more individuals enter nursing homes, where the majority of STNAs work. The shortage of STNAs is a problem for healthcare providers, but can be beneficial for individuals who are seeking rewarding careers.

Due to the shortage, individuals who complete the required training to become STNAs should be able to find employment with ease. In addition, they’ll be in a favorable position to demand higher wages and better work schedules because the homes where they will work will not be able to afford to lose them.

STNA training can be completed quickly by dedicated students. As soon as their training is complete, graduates can expect to find jobs.

It is important for certified STNAs to remember the significant value that their training affords them. Every nursing home in Ohio needs STNAs to help to care for residents. STNAs provide valuable services to these residents. Without STNAs to provide these services, nursing home could not operate properly. In addition, not everybody is cut out to be an STNA. The work is difficult and intimate and only hardworking and compassionate individuals can do it properly. With all of this in mind, STNAs should expect to be paid well for their work and to be afforded opportunities to grow and thrive in their careers.

After you have completed your STNA courses with PCHS and passed your examination, you will be ready to begin your career as a professional STNA. We know beginning a new career can be intimidating. By following the tips below, however, you’ll set yourself up for a successful and rewarding career.

1. Make a Good Impression

Your first day on the job is of vital importance. This is your chance to make a good first impression on your coworkers, supervisors, and patients. By introducing yourself with a smile and a firm handshake, asking questions, taking notes, and showing that you are eager to learn and to help however you can, you will be sure to make a great impression.

2. Be Prepared

Before your first day, you should take care to learn as much as possible about your new workplace and the duties that will be expected of you. You should also make sure that all of your paperwork is in order and that you arrive a bit early to ensure you are completely prepared when your shift begins.

3. Care for Yourself

You cannot care well for others if you are not caring for yourself. Be sure you eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, get enough rest, and follow all safety precautions. In particular, be sure that you practice proper lifting protocols. It may be tempting to take short cuts, but your back will thank you for caring for it properly. Also, be sure to invest in the best shoes you can. You’ll be on your feet all day and good shoes can significantly improve your experience as an STNA.

At PCHS, you’ll get the education you need to enjoy a successful career as an STNA. By following the tips above, you’ll be sure to make a great first impression. We wish you luck and success as you begin this rewarding career!

If you’re considering working as a State Tested Nursing Assistant in the state of Ohio, you might be wondering what kind of benefits there are to this particular career path. Although you are able to change careers at any point in your life, choosing a path and paying for the education that career requires is still a big decision. However, you should know that choosing to work in the medical field as an STNA has many positives. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that come with being an STNA.

• Allows you to get experience in the medical field

Starting your medical career as an STNA is a smart choice for many reasons. The investment required to become an STNA is much smaller than that to become a nurse, in both time and money. If you are considering furthering your career in the medical field, starting out as an STNA is a great way to see if the industry is a good fit. By choosing to become an STNA first, you’ll get your feet wet and be able to see if you enjoy working in the medical field.

• Provides a challenging and stimulating work environment

When you work as an STNA, your work environment and daily duties will be anything but boring. You will most likely be working with multiple patients who have different needs and different personalities. Interacting with patients and other medical care providers will keep you on your toes and provide new challenges every day. If you are someone who prefers a very routine and predictable job, this might not be the job for you. But if you prefer to meet new challenges, working as an STNA will be right up your alley!

• Helps you find a sense of purpose

Working with patients who need your assistance and care will help give you a sense of purpose at work. Not every career provides purpose but when you know that the patients are dependent on your skill and care, it will help you find your work more rewarding as you are able to help others live a more fulfilling life. By helping patients with their medical needs, you are brightening their day and their quality of life.

• Offers job flexibility in scheduling and location

STNA’s are needed around the clock in some work environments which means that you will be able to work a non –traditional schedule if you’d like. Maybe the 9-5 doesn’t suit your personality or work with your schedule. If so, you can find work in the evenings or on weekends. In addition to multiple scheduling options, work location opportunities vary greatly ranging from hospitals to providing care for patients in their own homes.

The benefits of working as an STNA could go on and on but we’re going to stop here for now. If becoming an STNA is a career choice that you want to pursue, the next step is to enroll in classes to receive proper training. Contact PCHS today to learn more about our STNA training program! Call us at 1-614-896-6420 to get started on your journey to becoming a State Tested Nursing Assistant.

There are several successful characteristics for the nursing field. Do you have what it takes to be a STNA? Here’s what you need to know.

After you complete your classes and healthcare training you may still be wondering: Do you have what it takes to be a STNA? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many other STNA graduates worry that they aren’t ready for their exciting new career either. After all, as an STNA you will be providing care for patients in many different exciting and stressful situations. Training was one thing, but going out and living your dream can seem daunting at first. Don’t despair, you have what it takes. Your classes have given you all of the proper training you could ever need to become a successful, compassionate, and sought-after STNA. Still worried? Here’s what you need to know about the characteristics of a successful nursing career.

Drive and Passion
Your motivation when it comes to your career and training to become an STNA could make all the difference in landing you your dream job in the healthcare field. Drive and determination play a huge role in having what it takes to become an STNA.

Calm and Collected Attitude
Nursing can be stressful and time sensitive, making the need for your calm and collected attitude not only appreciated, but necessary in your career. You will be working with doctors, nurses, and patients of all different background, you will be performing uncomfortable or unappealing tasks, as well as dealing with high stress levels and emotions. Showing a professional and calm demeanor during these times makes you the right candidate.

An Empathetic Disposition
Nursing isn’t always technical. In fact, much of nursing involves the relationship you develop with your patients. Empathy is essential when you are dealing with sick patients and their families. Being in a healthcare facility can mean serious illness and serious discomfort. It won’t be unusual to run into a distraught patient. Your empathy will help you put yourself in your patient’s shoes and show them the compassion and support they need during their difficult stay.

Physical Endurance
STNA’s will be doing a lot of heavy lifting and will spend a lot of time on their feet during their careers in healthcare. This makes physical endurance an essential quality to have.

Nursing isn’t easy, and neither are the qualities involved in pursuing an STNA career. Not all of the characteristics listed come naturally to those training to become an STNA, but with the proper classes and the right motivation, you’ll be on your way to a great attitude and an exciting career in the medical field.

The medical field is demanding of your time and energy. Learn what employers look for when hiring an STNA.

If it is your dream to pursue a career in healthcare, a job as a state tested nurse’s assistant is one quick way to get you from training and classes straight into the field. Whether hiring privately, at hospitals, in nursing homes or in rehab facilities, there is no shortage of employers looking to fill STNA positions. Certainly your passion for where you work and what you do will shine through to your potential employers, but what else do they want in their potential employee? Here is what employers look for when hiring an STNA.

How To Get Hired As A STNA
While you may think holding a successful passing score from your classes is enough to get your foot in the door, there are many other qualities and attributes that your STNA employer is looking for when filling a nursing position. Here are some characteristics they are looking for:

• Successfully State Tested Employees. A no brainer; if you’re applying for a STNA position, your employer wants to know that you passed and were successfully state tested and approved.
• Good Written And Verbal Communication. As with any job in the healthcare field, your training in written and verbal communication is of the utmost importance. Not only should you be taking proper notes on your patients, you also need to be able to properly communicate with your colleagues in a clear and concise manner.
• Observation Skills. As an STNA you will be observing your patients every single day, and even the slightest change in behavior may signal an issue with your patient’s health or treatment. STNA’s do well to be detail-oriented at their jobs.
• Time Management. When working as a nurse’s assistant, there will be many patients to take care of in a small amount of time. Since you do not always work in a monitored situation, your time management and organizational skills will be a key element to your value.
• Responsibility. As with any job, your employer does not want to hire someone who will pass off shifts, or call in sick often. Remember as an STNA when you do not show up for your shift you are letting down not only your fellow nurses and colleagues, but also your patients who need your compassion, support, and training.

Are you interested in pursuing a career as an STNA? Let PCHS help get you started today by signing up for STNA classes and taking advantage of our 98% pass rate for careers in healthcare.

Working in the medical field can be hard work, and takes certain kinds of people to get the job done. So how do you know if STNA is the right career choice for you? We’re looking at what your classes don’t teach you: 6 character traits that make health care workers great at their jobs.

1. Patience

When you’re feeling physically ill, you’re not exactly a ray of sunshine to those around you. The same can be said of your ill patients. Children, sick patients and families under extreme duress may be less than a joy to be around, making your patience one of the most important qualities you can possess in the medical field. When faced with stressful situations, patience will help you perform your job with the utmost professionalism.

2. Good Communication

Whether you’re communicating with a patient or other medical professionals, working as an STNA in the medical field requires the ability to properly express yourself and your needs. This will allow both you and those around you to do your job to the highest standards.

3. Compassion

Part of achieving the best bedside manner possible includes having compassion for your patients. Showing compassion is integral to your job as a STNA. Aside from dealing with illness or injury, patient’s often suffer through stress and have a tendency to feel vulnerable in front of their doctors and nurses. Your compassionate attitude will help you relate to your patient, comfort them, and make them feel at ease.

4. Tact

Tact is another essential element to a proper bedside manner. While you may be tempted to be blunt with impatient or rude patients, this is not the way to behave as a medical professional. Patients may be dealing with life or death situations, and informing them bluntly of the worst possible scenarios is not the thing to do. With all medical information and compassion shown, use tact and never overstep your bounds as an STNA.

5. Flexibility

When it comes to your work, STNA careers require a flexible schedule. Nursing is not a 9-5 job, and both patients and your colleagues may need you to go above and beyond when it comes to scheduling. Whether you’re covering for a fellow nurse, working in unfamiliar settings, or staying longer than your shift indicates, your flexibility on the job will speak volumes about your work ethic.

6. Stress Management

Odds are you didn’t get into nursing classes thinking you were signing up for an easy job. It’s true, burn out is commonly experienced by those in health care, making stress management and work/life balance both key ingredients to working in the medical field.

Do you possess these 6 key character traits? If so, a career as an STNA may be right for you! In the Ohio area and looking to start your STNA training today? Contact PCHS today at 1.614.896.6420

Technology has been changing STNA training for decades now, whether you believe this has been for better or worse. Those who have had careers in nursing for years now have likely seen changes both big and small in their field due to emerging technology. Advances such as the Internet, social media, and smart phones have all made their mark on advancing STNA careers. So what does this mean for you and your future in nursing?

Likely you, too, will see many technological changes in the future of your career. Here are some tech changes you may encounter in the future.

Patient Education
While this can sometimes feel overwhelming, with a patient trying to overshadow your professional opinion with one they’ve read online, the future improvement of online medicine may actually improve your patient’s visit. As the Internet continues to advance and provide more stable and accurate information on patient’s symptoms and potential conditions, patients will be able to better relate their ailments and possible or preferred treatment options.

Laboratory Testing Online
One such example of technology taking life as a STNA to an advanced level is Life Labs, a Canadian laboratory testing company. This month Life Labs announced their new online portal dubbed “My Results”, in which patients will be able to check their test results online, instead of waiting for a phone call or reporting in to their doctor or nurse. Test results including cytology, histology, genetics cytology, colon cancer checks or any other specialty tests will not be shared online.

Robots
That’s right, it’s finally happening. If Home Depot can have robot helpers, so can your hospital or nursing facility. While robots are not likely to be replacing nurses or doctors any time soon, their enhanced abilities certainly offer unimaginable help in the medical field. These robots are used in the operating room, and are even used to deliver supplies, offering nurses more one-on-one time with their patients.

Online Nursing Educations
While online schooling is not entirely new to the world of STNA classes and training, it certainly continues to improve as the years go by. Online training allows future STNA workers a flexible environment to pursue a rewarding career they wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to study. Access to advanced online textbooks, video classes, and one-on-one video conferencing with professors offers more hope for the nursing shortage.

No matter how knowledgeable or accredited you may be as a professional, or how well you did during your STNA training and classes, others opinions of you can quickly falter if you’ve shown poor communication skills. Whether performed in private care, hospitals, patient’s homes, or nursing homes, exceptional healthcare service is a must for an STNA career. One of the biggest factors in how well you behave with your patient and your colleagues is communication.

Dr. Albert Mehrabian conducted many studies on the topic of nonverbal communication and found that nearly 93% of all communication is nonverbal. Be mindful on not only what and how you are saying something, but also the gestures and expressions you use while saying it. Dependent on the way you speak you may either welcome or put-off those around you.

Problems May Arise
Communication is key when it comes to sharing information between parties, which happens to be an integral part of the medical field. When you lack proper communication skills you directly affect not only your patient’s compliance, anxiety, satisfaction, and safety, but also your team’s level of performance, co-operation, efficiency, and overall job satisfaction.

Your Colleagues
Have you ever heard the saying: “One bad apple spoils the whole bunch”? This can prove true in the medical field. All it takes is one person with poor communication or team-oriented behavior to bring everybody down. Good communication promotes fluid teamwork and prevents workplace conflicts.

Bedside Manner And Patient Relationships
Good communication is key in having the best possible bedside manner, not to mention the overall relationship between you and your patients. Without proper communication you put your patient at risk. Remember that good patient communication is about more than just talking. Practice good communication by listening to your patient and acknowledging their woes, as well as sharing pertinent information with them.

Honesty
Whether speaking to your colleagues or your patients, never tell them you are going to do something if you have no intentions to do so. Be as up front as you can with your patient about their treatments.

So much of the medical field has to do with fantastic communication skills. It’s never too late or too early to begin practicing ways to be a better communicator. Doing so will benefit you immensely in your personal and professional life.