STEP Leadership: STNA certification

For my signature project, I received my STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) certification for the state of Ohio. I attended a two-week long certification course and passed my state exam. I am using this certification to apply for Patient Care Assistant (PCA) jobs in Columbus hospitals and care facilities.

Receiving my STNA emboldened my passion for the medical field. I am currently applying to medical school, and obtaining patient care skills helped me better understand what kind of profession I am aiming for. Through this course, I learned that a patient’s experience in a hospital or long-term-care facility truly dictates their progress, health, and well-being. Inadequacies in care for elders and other populations that are often taken advantage of were exposed; I learned how to avoid these shortcomings in care.

Throughout my class, we watched videos, read stories, and modeled interactions about the patient care experience. For instance, we watched a video about the difficult transitions that residents often face when moving from an independent space to a nursing home. It is essential that caregivers understand and recognize the emotional and mental tolls that occur when family members have to move to an environment with 24/7 care. These testimonials resonated with my experience when my grandma was living in a nursing home.

Further, we demonstrated patient care skills on mannequins to emulate real-life experiences. The smallest components of patient interactions truly can make or break the patient’s experience. For example, addressing your resident by an appropriate name, ensuring privacy, and listening to residents are all vital for maintaining respect. In our class, we also discussed differences in communication styles for patients with particular neurodegenerative disorders.

I also really enjoyed meeting new people and learning about my classmates’ backgrounds. Some other students were pre-health and also went to OSU, while others were changing career paths. A lot of my classmates were not born in the United States, so when we had our potluck day, I loved trying different foods. My classmates also encouraged me in my future endeavors.

In all, receiving my STNA is extremely valuable for my clinical experience. This certification will allow me to apply to a multitude of jobs that require higher certifications, and I will further be exposed to diverse healthcare environments. I am appreciative of this experience, and I hope that this qualification will help me become a better caregiver who is attuned to the patient-centered philosophy.