Are you considering a career in nursing but want an alternative to lengthy college programs? Look no further – becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant might be the ideal choice for you! With a CNA certification, you can jumpstart your nursing career and gain valuable experience in a relatively short time. This pathway not only offers a fast entry into the healthcare field but also presents numerous opportunities for professional growth within the nursing profession, and beyond.
Certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, provide basic care to patients in hospitals, schools, continuing care retirement communities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. Their job duties may include bathing and feeding, wound care, taking vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure, recording intake and output measurements, transporting patients to appointments or procedures, using medical supplies, and helping with basic mobility.
Nursing assistants also may help doctors and nurses during examinations or treatments, as well as provide emotional support to patients during difficult periods of treatment or recovery from medical procedures. While CNAs do not diagnose illnesses, they document changes in a patient’s condition and report these observations to the appropriate medical staff.
Certified nursing assistants play a vital role in the healthcare system, providing essential support to both patients and licensed nurses. Their primary focus is on delivering compassionate and competent care to individuals who require assistance with their daily activities and medical needs. They are typically responsible for performing routine clinical tasks, such as changing sheets, taking medications, bathing patients, and assisting patients with activities of daily living.
Additionally, CNAs report any unusual information about their patients to licensed nursing staff. This information can include changes in mental status, pain, blood pressure, and any other pertinent information that may be helpful to the patient’s condition or recovery.
Summary of Steps
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Before pursuing your path to becoming a certified nurse assistant, make sure you have a high school diploma or equivalent qualification.
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Begin your journey by enrolling in a certified nursing assistant training program to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
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Develop essential skills like patient care, communication, and medical knowledge during your nursing assistant training.
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Put your skills into practice through clinical experience, learning to provide hands-on care to patients under supervision.
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Prepare for and pass the CNA exam to become a certified nursing assistant, qualified for employment in healthcare settings.
Steps in Detail
The second step in your journey to becoming a CNA is enrolling in a state-approved training program, which can be found at community colleges or vocational schools. These programs vary in length and format but generally teach the same core skills.
You must be at least 16 years old and have a clean criminal background check to gain admission to a CNA program, as CNAs have direct contact with patients and must provide care in a trustworthy and ethical manner.
While the length of CNA training programs varies from state to state, the typical state-approved education program will require a minimum of 75 hours of classroom instruction, plus time spent shadowing an experienced nurse or nurse caregiver. As you progress through the course, you will be required to take numerous assessments to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
Most instruction time will be spent in a classroom learning about topics like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology. Courses will include an introduction to many aspects of healthcare with an emphasis on specific aspects of nursing care, like bathing, dressing, and patient feeding. A CNA program will prepare you, in a short amount of time, to communicate and interact with doctors and nurses, and to administer basic medical treatment as appropriate.
After you complete your CNA schooling, you must complete an in-person clinical training session at a hospital or healthcare facility before you can take the exam and become certified. Federal regulations mandate that all CNA training programs include at least 16 hours of “hands-on” clinical experience, though most states exceed this minimum. This session at nursing care facilities will verify that you are able to handle the physical demands of the job, as well as confirm your level of knowledge and awareness of relevant nursing standards.
During this phase of your education, which is typically called, “clinical studies”, you will work under the supervision of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses who will mentor and instruct you. In your clinical studies, you will learn how to manage the day-to-day tasks of a CNA and will be given many opportunities to practice essential skills, such as conducting patient assessments, administering medications, and various other patient care activities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average certified nursing assistant in the United States earned a mean annual income of $36,220 in 2022. While this salary may not appear impressive when compared to the median annual wage of other nursing professionals, it’s worth emphasizing that nursing assistants do not need a formal degree. Unlike other healthcare careers that require a significant commitment of time and money to higher education, the education requirements to become a CNA can be completed in a short period of time at a relatively low cost.
Additionally, CNA salary expectations and job outlook improve with experience and continuing education. Top-earning CNAs earned over $45,940 per year according to the BLS. The top 10 highest-paying States for CNAs are:
State | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage | Annual 90th Percentile Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Alaska | $20.71 | $43,080 | $55,520 |
New York | $19.56 | $40,680 | $47,800 |
California | $19.12 | $39,760 | $49,040 |
District of Columbia | $18.94 | $39,390 | $47,520 |
Oregon | $18.67 | $38,830 | $47,520 |
Washington | $18.40 | $38,270 | $46,550 |
Minnesota | $17.66 | $36,730 | $46,490 |
Hawaii | $17.64 | $36,680 | $47,520 |
Connecticut | $17.36 | $36,110 | $46,330 |
Certified nursing assistant programs, often referred to as CNA programs, are specialized training courses designed to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in the role of a certified nursing assistant. CNA classes are typically offered by vocational and technical schools, community colleges, and healthcare institutions. The primary goal is to prepare students for the responsibilities and challenges they will encounter when caring for patients in a variety of healthcare settings.
Most CNAs agree that one of the greatest benefits of the profession is the sense of fulfillment and purpose they feel while caring for others. Whether they are in nursing care facilities helping patients with a serious disability, or simply providing companionship, CNAs are able to watch the positive impact they have on others.
The full job description of a CNA also provides a multitude of perks and rewards that go beyond the personal satisfaction of helping others. If you are wondering about the personal and professional benefits of working in this field, here are the top five benefits of becoming a certified nursing assistant:
Becoming a CNA can be an excellent starting point for other careers in health care. Many CNAs choose to pursue advanced careers in other nursing positions after gaining hands-on experience in an entry-level position. Registered nursing is one profession that is very popular among CNAs, who often choose to continue their career in this field.
CNAs who apply to a nursing school can leverage their experience to stand out among other applicants. Nursing schools often value, or require, a period of clinical experience as part of the application process, and CNAs can use the experience they have obtained to meet this requirement.