There is a clear gap between the supply and the demand for Texas nursing jobs. Like elsewhere, Texas is suffering from a shortage of nurses, to the tune of 70,000 by 2020. The State Legislature is working on a number of bills to improve training capacity so that they can fill many of these Texas nursing jobs. Though the bulk of the nursing jobs in Texas are located in the Dallas and Houston areas, there is a clear need for nurses throughout the State.
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is an individual who assists patients with activities of daily living. Certified nursing assistants, also known as nurses aides, patient care technicians, home health aides, and orderlies, work under the direct supervision of a nurse, and are responsible for providing basic care services such as bathing, grooming, and feeding patients, as well as checking patient vital signs. CNAs also work directly with licensed nursing staff as they provide skilled nursing care to their patients. An individual becomes a CNA after completing a 6 to 12 week programs, and after passing a certification exam. Don’t think that the role of a CNA isn’t important. CNAs serve as the eyes and ears of the nursing staff, and they work in medical hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, and assisted living facilities. Working as a CNA can also serve as a career steppingstone for individuals wishing to go on into the nursing profession.