Certified Nursing Assistants


Health Science > Certified Nursing Assistants > Physical Demands
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Certified Nursing Assistants

Certified Nursing Assistants - Physical Demands

Nursing assistants frequently:

  • Walk or run for long periods of time.
  • Stand for long periods of time.
  • Bend or twist their body.
  • Repeat the same movements.

It is important for nursing assistants to be able to:

  • See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
  • Understand the speech of another person.
  • Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
  • Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
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  • Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
  • Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
  • Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for nursing assistants to be able to:

  • Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
  • See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
  • Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
  • Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
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  • Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
  • See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
  • Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
  • Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
  • Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
  • Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
  • React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
  • Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
  • Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
  • Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Determine the distance between objects.
  • Move arms and legs quickly.
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.