pca nurse 2024-2025
pca nurse 2024-2025
PCA stands for Patient Care Assistant, which is also sometimes known as a Nursing Assistant (NA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), or Nursing Aide. A PCA nurse is a healthcare professional who provides basic patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). PCAs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies.
The role of a PCA nurse involves a range of responsibilities, including:
- Assisting with activities of daily living: PCAs help patients with basic tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Monitoring vital signs: PCAs monitor and record patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate.
- Mobility assistance: PCAs help patients move around and transfer from beds to chairs or wheelchairs.
- Providing basic nursing care: PCAs assist with basic medical care tasks such as changing dressings, collecting specimens, and administering medications.
- Assisting with patient safety: PCAs help ensure patient safety by preventing falls, keeping rooms clean and organized, and monitoring patients for signs of distress.
To become a PCA nurse, an individual typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent, and must complete a state-approved training program. The training program includes both classroom instruction and clinical practice, and covers topics such as basic patient care, infection control, and patient safety. Once the training is completed, a certification exam must be passed to become a certified PCA nurse.
In summary, a PCA nurse is a healthcare professional who provides basic patient care under the supervision of an RN or LPN. They play an important role in ensuring patient comfort and safety, and are trained to provide high-quality, compassionate care to their patients.
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