 |
Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) has more than 100 nursing assistants, working with patients in 13 different departments.
"Our nursing assistants are valuable members of our health care team," said Debra Parsons, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Services.
"Their daily dedication to quality patient care helps ensure the continued success of Pikeville Medical Center."
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, "Employment of nursing aids, orderlies and attendants is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations."
Mitchell Fowler, PMC Nursing Assistant, said, "Helping patients is the best part of my job. It is truly a rewarding experience when a patient tells me I have made their stay better, or I have brightened their day. To know you have that big of an impact on someone makes it all worthwhile."
Nursing assistants are fundamental to the patients in their care, and are identified by various titles, including: direct care giver, nurse aide, care assistant, hospice aid, In-home care aide, emergency department assistant and resident assistant.
These important workers have many responsibilities.
Some of their daily job duties consist of cleaning/bathing patients; helping patients use the bathroom and get dressed; turning, repositioning and transferring patients; listening to patients and acting as a liaison between the patient and nurse; measuring patients' vital signs; serving patients meals and helping them eat; and patient transportation.
Mary Ellen Smith, Senior AVP and Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, said, "Our nursing assistants are committed to giving their patients the best care possible. They are a dedicated group of caregivers who are invaluable to the exceptional care provided for our patients day after day."
Sources: http://cna-network.orghttp://bls.gov