Working Basics after Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Healthcare is a wonderful career to be working in. The benefits of having a stable job, earning a lot of money and working with professionals is nothing compared to the job satisfaction of working with a patient by ensuring they return to their optimal level of health. As a newly hired nursing assistant, you will definitely experience a lot of stress by entering the workplace. Work related challenges are an entirely different dimension for entry level professionals like certified nursing assistants because of the realities they oftentimes missed during their training.

The most common problems nursing assistants are often faced with are work-related aches and pains. During their certified nursing assistant training, they were offered techniques and guides on how to avoid straining their back. Though these are basics, people often forget how important it is to apply them on their daily lives.

Proper body mechanics is the key to avoiding all the unnecessary strains on the muscles. Perhaps the most important thing to remember for proper body mechanics is keeping your back straight at all times. When your back is properly aligned with the rest of your body, the necessary strength required for lifting naturally lessens. Some, who have survived their certified nursing assistant training, also seem to forget about balance when carrying or lifting heavy people. When the person you are lifting is quite heavy, remember to keep your center of gravity low and to bend at the knees and hips. You can do this by keeping your feet apart in order to maintain a wide base of support. It’s also helpful to put one foot ahead of the other so you can have a good grip as you are lifting a patient. Think of how sumo wrestlers always seem to bend at their knees and spread their feet slightly apart before attacking an opponent. They’re always managing to maintain their balance, right? The stance seems awkward at first, but as soon as you apply this positioning, you will notice that the fluidity of your movement increases with use.

When lifting or turning heavy patients, it’s always good to remember the basic principles of balance and proper body alignment even after certified nursing assistant training. In order to avoid undue back strain, it is better to use arm and leg muscles when performing a task. Task might be the same as for registered nurses but may vary at any time as well.

It is always a good idea to exercise before entering the workplace. In addition to warming up your muscles to avoid stress, exercise also help you to raise your endorphin levels, elevating your mood for the entire day. Some basic stretching exercises focusing on the legs and arms will make your muscles nimble and alert for a day of lifting and carrying.

If the work gets too tough for you though, always try to call for help. Though body mechanics lessens the stresses your body will go through, it wont help you once something is already strained or sprained beyond its’ limit. After working, make sure to indulge in some serious ‘me’ time to de-stress. Go out and enjoy a good movie with your loved one or friends. More than anything else, it’s not a good idea to go to work when you are stressed as it jeopardizes how you function in the workplace.