Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

DegreeChoices; Maine; On-site; USD 19,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in healthcare is seeking compassionate and dedicated certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to join their team. This entry-level position offers a gateway into the nursing profession, requiring minimal education and training. As a CNA, you will provide vital support to patients in various settings, including hospitals and nursing homes, assisting with essential daily tasks and ensuring patient comfort. The role is both physically demanding and emotionally rewarding, ideal for those who enjoy making a difference in people's lives. If you are looking for a fulfilling career in healthcare, this opportunity could be your perfect start.

Qualifications

• Completion of a state-approved CNA program is essential.
• Strong physical stamina and ability to manage time effectively.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily patient activities, including feeding and bathing.
• Take vital signs and document health issues.

Skills

Empathy

Time Management

Physical Stamina

Reliability

Education

Completion of State-Approved CNA Program

Job description

Certified Nursing Assistant Career Guide

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) play a key role in direct patient care. They assist licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs or LVNs), doctors, and registered nurses (RNs) with assessments, treatments, and procedures. It’s an entry-level position in nursing that doesn’t require a college degree, which makes it a quick route into the profession.

As a CNA, you’ll typically work in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, and home care. Primary tasks include taking vital signs, responding to patient calls, listening to patient needs, dressing wounds, and helping with daily patient activities.

Certified nursing assistants work under the supervision of LPNs, RNs, and doctors. The work is demanding, days can be long, and CNAs spend a lot of time on their feet. The tasks CNAs perform are vital to patient comfort and can include providing emotional support. The role is ideal for those who enjoy interacting with people.

You’ll need to complete an education program, which often includes a competency exam at the end. The occupation is growing fast, with a projected growth of 8% predicted between 2019 and 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The annual salary is modest; it starts at around $19,000 and goes up to $45,000. The states with the highest concentration of jobs are Rhode Island, North Dakota, Kansas, Maine, and Iowa, according to the BLS.

Pursuing a Career as a CNA

If you’re interested in working in healthcare, a position as a certified nurse assistant is an excellent starting point. It’s accessible in terms of the time and education required to qualify, as the programs are short, with only a few requirements. Many job opportunities are in nursing homes, working with the elderly.

Many aspects of a CNA’s duties are physical and demanding. You might need to turn patients over, feed them, bathe them, and change their bedding. Besides strength and stamina, you’ll need to be flexible and manage your time well to complete a wide variety of tasks with several patients. You’ll need to be reliable, show empathy, and be there for emotional support.

How to Become a CNA

The CNA role is an entry-level position, which means you don’t necessarily need experience to get a job. However, you’ll need to study before you apply, and you’ll likely learn a lot on the job. You’ll need to apply to and complete a state-approved education program, complete the courses for your certificate, and then take an exam.

After your training, you’ll be ready to start as a CNA. The time from enrollment to starting your job is quite quick; the process usually takes between 6 and 12 weeks to complete. Programs are typically run by community colleges, high schools, hospitals, or health organizations and need to be approved by the state where you want to work.

CNA Certificate

To become a certified nurse assistant or nurse aide, you’ll need to complete a nursing assistant (NA) program. You’ll need to complete between 4 and 6 credits, or between 125 to 165 hours. The curriculum includes:

• Introduction to healthcare
• Diet and nutrition
• Life support
• Patient care and support

Licensure and Certification

At the end of your program, you’ll typically sit for a competency exam, which, if it’s a state-approved program, will be enough for certification. Each state will have its own procedures after you get your certification.

Working as a CNA

The average annual salary for certified nursing assistants is $29,115 or an average hourly rate of $13.12. Duties of CNAs include:

• Dress wounds
• Document health issues
• Stock supplies
• Complete treatment charts
• Prepare patient beds and rooms
• Assist with feeding, bathing, and dressing
• Take blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs

CNAs play a crucial role in patient comfort during their stay in nursing home facilities or hospitals. People who can work for long hours with enough energy and have physical strength are suited for the CNA position.

Advance Your Career in Nursing

As the CNA post is an entry-level position, there are many ways to progress in your career. With experience, on-the-job training, and some further education, you could become a CMA or a PCT.

Who is this Career Best For?

A role as a CNA is ideal for those who want to start their career in nursing. It’s an entry point that costs less than nursing degrees and requires less time and training. The role is demanding but also rewarding, as you get to spend a lot of time with patients helping them physically and emotionally.