The healthcare sector relies on support professionals who provide foundational patient services. These entry-level caregivers are on the frontline, performing daily tasks that maintain patient comfort and safety. Their work makes them a fundamental part of any care team. This role often serves as a starting point for those looking to build a career in nursing and other clinical fields.
Defining the STNA Role in Healthcare
STNA stands for State Tested Nursing Assistant, a professional title most commonly used in Ohio. In most other states, this role is referred to as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), but the duties remain the same. The designation signifies that the individual has successfully completed state-specific training and passed a competency evaluation required by the state’s department of health. STNAs work under the supervision of licensed nursing staff, such as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs), providing direct care to patients and residents.
Primary Responsibilities and Daily Duties
The primary function of the State Tested Nursing Assistant involves helping patients with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), which are the routine personal care tasks people perform every day. This support includes assisting patients with bathing, dressing, grooming, and oral hygiene. STNAs are also responsible for assisting with mobility, which involves safely transferring patients between a bed and a wheelchair, or helping them ambulate using a cane or walker.
Daily duties also encompass monitoring and documenting basic health indicators. The STNA regularly takes and records vital signs, such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration, and reports any concerning changes immediately to the supervising nurse. They also perform several essential support tasks:
- Assisting with feeding patients.
- Monitoring fluid intake and output.
- Helping with elimination needs, including using bedpans or managing incontinence care.
- Maintaining a clean, safe, and organized patient environment, including changing bed linens.
Educational and Certification Requirements
Achieving the State Tested Nursing Assistant credential requires completing a state-approved training program, typically known as a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP). In Ohio, this program must meet federal requirements by providing a minimum of 75 hours of instruction, divided between classroom learning and a clinical component. The clinical portion requires a minimum of 16 hours of supervised, hands-on practice in a long-term care facility, allowing students to apply concepts in a real-world setting. After completing the required training, candidates must pass a mandatory competency examination. This exam consists of a written knowledge test and a practical skills demonstration, where the candidate performs five randomly selected nursing tasks under observation. Upon passing both sections, the individual is placed on the State Nurse Aide Registry, which is necessary to legally practice the profession.
Common Work Environments for STNAs
STNAs find employment across a wide spectrum of healthcare settings, with the environment influencing the daily pace and focus of their duties.
Long-Term Care Facilities
Nursing homes represent a major employer, focusing on consistent, long-term custodial care for residents. In this setting, STNAs build strong relationships while assisting with ADLs and monitoring chronic conditions.
Hospitals
Hospitals are acute care settings that rely on STNAs to support rapid patient turnover and post-surgical recovery. The work here often involves frequent patient transfers and assisting nurses with procedures related to acute illness or injury.
Home Health Care
Home health care is a growing area where the STNA travels to a patient’s private residence. This setting allows the STNA to provide personalized care in a more independent environment.
Career Advancement and Long-Term Outlook
The long-term outlook for the State Tested Nursing Assistant role is positive, with employment projected to grow at a faster-than-average rate over the next decade. This high demand is driven by the aging population, which requires an increasing number of professionals to provide long-term care services. The experience gained as an STNA is invaluable for those pursuing advanced clinical degrees. The direct patient interaction and basic nursing skills acquired serve as a practical foundation for further education, often leading STNAs to enroll in programs to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).