One of the most important responsibilities of a nursing assistant is the assisting of patients with their daily living. Many elderly, recuperating, sick, or convalescent individuals are physically or mentally challenged in some way. This can make even the most simple of everyday tasks quite challenging, and in some cases, impossible.

Nursing assistants are extremely valuable in helping with patient ADL, or Activities of Daily Living. Nursing assistants who work in this capacity are usually supervised by registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.

Nursing Assistant Training Skills

Nursing Assistants are expected to be able to perform specific patient centric duties that involve daily activities. They are also expected to be knowledgeable in the following skills which are important in assessing and caring for patients:

Hand washing - Nursing assistants are trained right from the start on the proper washing of a patients hands. This basic, but very important step, is the best way to insure that any existing germs are not carelessly spread.

Ambulation - These are a series of techniques to help patients regain mobility and ambulatory functions. The nursing assistant will assist the patient in walking, as well as in the use of any device necessary to aid walking. This includes the use of walkers and canes.

Bedpan Use and Measurement - Should a patient be unable to perform bathroom functions independently, the nursing assistant will help patients perform the necessary functions such as urination and defecation. Aside from the proper techniques in this regard, the nursing assistant is also versed in the use of devices that assist these patients, be they immobile or incontinent.

And, as per doctors orders, the nurse assistant will facilitate the collection and measurement of stool and urine output. This is noted, logged, and compared against healthy levels for the doctors review.

Grooming and Hygiene - A patients oral hygiene is also a concern for nursing assistants. They should be able to help groom and care for the patients overall appearance. This will help prevent, or detect tooth decay, diseased gums, bed sores, infections and other hygiene related illnesses.

The nursing assistant should be trained in the skill of maintaining a patient's oral hygiene. Patient dentures should be cleaned and taken care of regularly. Ideally, the patient's teeth are cleaned after every meal to prevent the occurrence of dental problems and halitosis. The gums should not be neglected as well.

Feeding - Be it by spoon or by gastric tube, nurses have to be skilled at feeding their patients. While this is a necessity, nursing assistants should also allow the patient a certain degree of autonomy. They should assist in feeding only if the patient is unable to do so themselves.

Bed making - This is another basic yet important skill. The nursing assistant should be able to help arrange the bed and change the bedding regularly. They should learn the proper technique of making a bed and should be able to do so even when the patient is occupying the bed.

Proper bed maintenance is important in helping the patient avoid bed sores and other afflictions brought about by decreased mobility. Nursing assistants should also be able to give full baths to patients whether they are on the bed or not.

Vital signs - Basic nursing assistant training should involve the measurement and recording of patient vital signs. This is probably one of the most important skills that no nursing assistant should be without. They should be able to use the sphygmomanometer and the stethoscope adeptly and expertly. They should also train in the proper logging of patient data.