Wearing personal protective equipment or PPE is one of the most important duties that a CNA has. This is to help prevent any chances of infection to spread from patient to CNA and vice versa. There are different types of PPE but most CNAs usually make use of only one – the gloves. But, usually, all of these PPEs are required to be worn in order to provide the best protection for the CNA as well as for the patient. You will have to wear PPE whenever you will come into contact with bodily fluids as well as when coming into direct contact with infectious materials.
The first step to wearing personal protective equipment is to put the gown on first. This is a type of gown which is made of a very thin fabric which is water resistant and is disposable in nature. 
They are made to be used only once and then to be thrown into the trash after use.
First, unfold the gown and then then wear it with the opening at your back.
Place your hands inside the sleeves and then proceed to close the gown at the neck area. You can do this by tying it. After this, you also have to tie the gown at the waist area.
The next thing that you will have to do is to wear the personal protective equipment for your face. These include the goggles and the face mask. You should be able to wear them without distracting you or making you uncomfortable in any way and they should also fit snugly not loosely. The goggles should not distort your vision as well. The mask must sit comfortably on your face and should sufficiently cover your nose and mouth.
The last thing that you will have to wear is the gloves. You have to put it on very well and they should also sufficiently cover your wrists and should come over the sleeves. This is to help protect you better from any type of contact with infectious materials and fluids.
Remember to put these PPEs on before entering the room of the patient and to remove them before getting out of their room. Removing these PPE correctly is also important and you should also follow the step by step process of removing them.
You will have to proceed in a reverse manner starting from the gloves which you have to ball up, and then proceed with the gown and lastly take off the PPE for your face such as the goggles and the face mask. You will have to dispose of these properly in order to prevent the spread of disease.
After removing these PPEs, wash your hands thoroughly and then dry them as usual. You will need these PPEs but it should not reach the level where you will be unnecessarily occupied with your own protection that you neglect your patient’s needs and feelings. There are some patients who will feel uneasy when they see you worried about getting contaminated with their ailments.
Watch the video on how to put on and remove PPE – gown and gloves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBtfh7d0TAg