Program Landing Page
CNA / Nursing Assistant
A direct-care study route through safety, dignity, mobility, hygiene, measurements, observation, and reporting.
Direct care with dignity
Nursing assistants protect comfort, function, safety, and the observations the care team depends on
CNA and nursing-assistant titles, training, testing, registry rules, supervision, and permitted tasks vary by state and care setting. The role commonly includes delegated direct care, mobility and hygiene support, measurements, observation, documentation, and timely reporting.
This page adds role-specific skills orientation while linking shared clinical concepts to their authoritative Nurse Arcade subject pages.
A repeatable care sequence
Before care
Review the assignment, gather supplies, perform hand hygiene, introduce yourself, identify the person correctly, explain the task, provide privacy, and check immediate safety needs.
During care
Use standard precautions, safe body mechanics, respectful communication, the required level of assistance, and any ordered mobility, swallowing, positioning, or device precautions.
After care
Leave the person comfortable and safe, place needed items and the call system within reach, clean equipment, perform hand hygiene, and document according to policy.
Report
Promptly communicate changes in breathing, circulation, consciousness, pain, skin, intake, output, mobility, behavior, vital signs, or anything outside the assignment.
Core skills orientation
Mobility + transfers
Confirm the care plan and assistance level; lock equipment; use gait devices and mechanical lifts only as trained; protect lines and tubes; never improvise an unsafe transfer.
Hygiene + toileting
Protect privacy and independence during bathing, oral care, grooming, dressing, toileting, perineal care, continence care, and linen changes. Observe skin, urine, stool, pain, and function.
Measurements
Use the correct equipment and technique for vital signs, weight, intake/output, and assigned specimens. Record promptly and report results outside the ordered or facility-defined range.
Skin + positioning
Reposition and offload as directed, keep skin clean and dry, reduce friction and shear, support nutrition and mobility, and report nonblanching redness, wounds, or device pressure.
Meals + swallowing safety
Verify the correct diet and precautions, position appropriately, provide assistance without rushing, track intake, and stop and report coughing, choking, wet voice, breathing change, or reduced alertness.
Communication + dignity
Address the person respectfully, support choices and independence, protect confidentiality, use calm cueing, and report new confusion, withdrawal, agitation, fear, or possible mistreatment.
Suggested Nurse Arcade route
Use the role-specific sequence above, then follow these subject links to understand the clinical meaning behind observations and precautions.
Introduction to Nursing School
Compare training routes, requirements, clinical learning, roles, and future bridge options.
Open subject →Airway, Breathing and Circulation
Recognize changes in breathing, circulation, appearance, and responsiveness that require immediate reporting.
Open subject →Infection and Inflammation
Apply hand hygiene, PPE, transmission precautions, and exposure prevention.
Open subject →Integumentary Nursing
Protect skin, recognize pressure-injury risk, and report wounds or changes promptly.
Open subject →Nutrition Nursing
Support meals, hydration, swallowing precautions, intake tracking, and respectful assistance.
Open subject →Hearing and Vision Nursing
Adapt communication and the environment for sensory changes and safety.
Open subject →Psychology and Mental Health
Use therapeutic communication and recognize behavioral or emotional changes.
Open subject →Pediatrics
Review age-aware safety and family-centered communication when relevant to the care setting.
Open subject →Delegated care has clear boundaries
This page does not replace a state-approved training program, supervised practice, competency validation, the care plan, or facility policy. Nursing assistants do not independently assess, diagnose, change the plan of care, interpret findings, or administer treatments outside their authorized role. When an assignment is unclear, unsafe, or beyond current competency, stop and ask the responsible licensed nurse.