Role of the Nurse Aide

CNA Scope of Practice & Delegation

What nurse aides may do, what requires nurse supervision, and when to speak up.

Working within scope

CNAs perform delegated nursing tasks they are trained and certified to complete.1 Medication administration, invasive procedures, and independent clinical judgment remain outside standard CNA scope unless state law and facility policy authorize additional training.

When unsure, ask the supervising nurse before acting — documenting and reporting changes is always within scope.

Sources

Educational summaries citing official U.S. government websites. Always follow your local protocols and scope of practice.

  1. [1] NCSBN — Nurse Aide Competency Model — www.ncsbn.org