Hats off to Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs)! 

June 13-19 is National CNA Week, a time to honor the dedicated professionals who play an important role in caring for our clients. Most of our team of more than 225 Cambridge Caregivers are CNAs. (Others are LPNs, RNs and EMTs.)

CNAs may work in many different settings: hospitals, skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, as well as home care agencies like Cambridge Caregivers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 1.4 million CNAs work in the United States. To earn a CNA Certification in Texas, applicants must meet specific requirements set by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHSC), including passing a state-approved competency exam that assesses both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Some call CNAs the “heartbeat of healthcare” because they work so hard. Although a CNA is not a nurse, they work very closely with nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers. They are the “frontline heroes” who provide daily care for elders and people with disabilities. The job can be physically demanding. CNAs are often called on to lift and move patients, stand for long periods, and perform repetitive tasks. One study in the National Library of Medicine reports the median distance walked by CNAs on 10-hour nursing shift is three miles.

CNAs are the compassionate people who our clients depend on for comfort, dignity, and reassurance during vulnerable moments. They play a key role in keeping clients safe, by ensuring proper hygiene, assisting with mobility and adhering to infection control protocols.

National CNA Week has been observed for seven days in June since 1977. This week, join us in celebrating and thanking our CNAs for all they do!