Many aspects of senior living are related to nursing. Whether it’s coordinating care or delivering it. Nursing is a pillar of most senior living. Nurses complete assessments, manage medications, and offer advocacy. Nursing assistants in senior living provide direct care to residents. It’s a vital part of senior living. Plus, it supports resident happiness.
Who are nursing assistants in senior living?
Like many professions, nursing assistants can take on many names and forms. In senior living, this is usually certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and resident assistants (RAs).
Certified Nursing Assistants
Until 2024, CNAs were known as state tested nursing assistants (STNAs). Becoming a CNA requires specific training and testing. In Ohio, this is overseen by the Department of Health’s Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP).
Through NATCEP, a minimum of 75 training hours are required to become a CNA. This includes classroom education, skills training, and field experience. After completing training, there’s a state evaluation. It must be passed to earn the certification. CNAs are also required to complete 12 hours of additional training each year to maintain their certification in Ohio.
Resident Assistants
Unlike CNAs, resident assistants typically do not have specialized training. Instead, RAs receive on the job training. At The Ohio Masonic Communities, a RA must have a high school diploma or GED. Also, they must complete CPR and first aid training.
What do nursing assistants in senior living do?
Nursing assistants can perform a wide variety of tasks in senior living. But, they mostly focus on personal care tasks. These tasks are related to activities of daily living (ADLs). It can include helping a resident bathe, get dressed, and use the bathroom. It can also include things like assisting with meals or walking.
Certified Nursing Assistants versus Resident Assistants
When it comes to caring for residents, CNAs and RAs perform many of the same duties. Because of their training, a CNA can do some things a RA can’t. For example, a CNA can check vitals.
The Human Element
There’s a lot to being a nursing assistant in senior living. It’s more than helping a resident with their daily activities or providing personal care. It’s about relationships. Nursing assistants spend the most time with each resident. Every day they spend time one-on-one with residents. They’re doing more than providing care. They’re also talking to them. They hear their life stories, talk about their families, and ask about their days. Nursing assistants in senior living form relationships and bonds with their residents.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Nursing assistants don’t do it all alone. It takes a team effort to provide great care to residents. In senior living, nursing assistants work together as a team to make sure each resident gets the care they need and deserve. This may mean helping each other out so that every resident gets what they need when they need it.
Nurses often supervise nursing assistants. They create care plans that outline what types of assistance a resident may need and how often. For example, a care plan may specify that a resident needs help showering three times a week. Nurses work with nursing assistants to assign who will perform which tasks or help each resident.
Nursing assistants also work within interdisciplinary teams. In senior living, they may collaborate with nurses, therapists, dietary teams, and life enrichment, among others. Collaborating across teams like this ensures better continuity of care. It provides a more holistic experience for residents.
National Nursing Assistants Week
Every year, the second full week of June is celebrated as National Nursing Assistants Week. This week is a chance to recognize nursing assistants for the work they do all year.
Nursing Assistants in Senior Living at The Ohio Masonic Communities
The Ohio Masonic Communities is grateful for the Certified Nursing Assistants and Resident Assistants on our team. Every day they go above and beyond to give our residents the best. Nursing assistants are an important part of living our mission to serve as the trusted partner to help our communities thrive. It doesn’t happen without dedicated and compassionate nursing assistants.
We also want to make sure our teams have the benefits and tools they need. That’s why we offer $5,000 per year in tuition assistance. The process is simple and we pay the school up front before classes even begin. We also work with Hondros College of Nursing so our employees receive a discount on tuition when pursuing a nursing degree. Plus, as a nonprofit, employees of The Ohio Masonic Communities can be eligible for student loan forgiveness under Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
Do you want to be a senior living nursing assistant? Check out our current job opportunities at Browning Masonic Community, Springfield Masonic Community, and Western Reserve Masonic Community!
Ready to learn more about the role nursing assistants play at The Ohio Masonic Communities or how you can be a nurse with us? We’d love to hear from you! Give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here. You can also browse our current job openings here. We have three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio.