STNA Jobs

Answer 1

A rewarding career as an state licenced nursing assistant, or STNA, holds many opportunities for growth and employment within the diverse health and human services field. An STNA works directly with patients under the guidance of a registered nurse or a licenced practical nurse. The various duties involved in the STNA job description include physically and/or verbally assist the patient with tasks such as feeding, bathing, cleaning, and other hygiene tasks associated with the care of the individual.

Other nursing duties such as medication administration through delegation under a registered nurse, as well as preparing a patient for surgery. These responsibilities are attention-specific, in that an STNA must be able to follow instruction and take direction accurately due to the vital nature of the nursing duties.

Training and educational requirements for a career as an STNA consists of completing 75 hours of educational coursework which is required by federal law. Additionally, clinical training in this field must consist of at least 16 hours in order to successfully complete the training requirements. Once this training is completed, the individual will receive federal certification as an STNA. Continuing educational courses related to the STNA field must also be attended in order to keep the certification active.

There are a variety of positions in the healthcare industry which utilize the skills of STNA’s to provide direct care to patients. Group homes, supported living organizations, nursing home facilities, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers currently employ STNA’s to care for patients and clients.

The average salary for an STNA is approximately $25,000 per year. In contrast, a registered nurse has an earning potential of $43,000 to $45,000 per year. This is a rather large discrepancy, mainly due to the fact that the type of work performed by both positions is relatively comparable.

An STNA career choice is a wonderful opportunity for individuals who are eager to work in the healthcare field. The intrinsic awards that go along with this employment position are rarely found in any other field of work. The direct care involved brings about a sense of accomplishment for many in this field.