One of the most important responsibilities you will have as a nursing assistant is to ensure that your patients’ rights are respected – meaning that there is an ethical code of conduct that you must follow, in order to treat patients correctly, fairly, and ethically, according to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.

Your patient has a right to:

Quality of Life. Patients have a right to the best care available – dignity, choice, and independence are important factors.

Services and activities to maintain a high-level of wellness. Patients should receive the correct care and that care should keep them as healthy as possible every day. Health should not decline as a result of the care they receive.

Be fully informed regarding rights and services. They must be told what care and services are available and the cost for each. They must be aware of their legal rights and those rights have to be explained in a clear fashion that can be easily understood.

The right to participate in their own care. Patients have the right to participate in planning their treatment, care, and discharge. They may refuse medication, treatment, and restraints, and they must be advised of changes to their medication, plus they have the right to review their medical history.

The right to make independent choices. Patients can make choices about their doctors, care, and treatment, as well as personal choices.

The right to privacy and confidentiality. Patients have to expect privacy with their care, knowing that their information will be kept confidential.

The right to dignity, respect, and freedom. Patients must be respected and treated with dignity, and cannot be abused in any way.

The right to security of possessions. Patients’ possessions must be secure at all times and cannot be taken or used by anyone without their permission.

Rights during transfers and discharges. Patients have a right to stay in a facility until a transfer or discharge is needed. That transfer, then, ust be made safely and with the patient’s knowledge.

The right to complain. Patients may complain without fear of punishment.

The right to visits. Patients have a right to visits from family, doctors, groups, and others.

You made it through Nursing Assistant classes and you may have landed a job as a nursing assistant at a health facility. Next up – the State exam to receive your certification. While taking tests may not be your strong suit, the nursing assistant exam is easier if you know what to expect.

First, be aware that the test consists of two parts – a written exam and a clinical exam. The written part of the test is based upon common sense. For the clinical exam, you may be asked to bring a person with you to act as a ‘patient’ so you can demonstrate your clinical skills.

The written part of the test is based upon much of the information you learned during training. Therefore, your class handouts or books will provide all the information you might need for your State exam. Review that paperwork, your notes and any portions of the book that presented the most problems for you in class. This type of review may prove less stressful for many people. There are also several practice tests available online.

While some individuals may sweat over the written exam, many others may become nervous about the clinical part of the exam – someone will be looking over your shoulder the entire time, watching your every move. But, you can keep in mind that the State examiner has seen many nervous students before. If you know your clinical skills, you’ll fly right through this portion of the test.

You will probably be asked to demonstrate three to five Nursing Assistant skills such as hand washing, privacy policies, a nod toward dignity (such as remembering to knock before entering a patient’s room) and safety standards.