Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Their duties are incredibly important for the patient’s well-being and recovery. Their significance within and even outside of the healthcare system can be understood by the duties they perform and the responsibilities they take.

Depending on the employment setting, these tasks can vary. But typically, a CNA will perform some or all of the following duties:

• Checking vital signs
• Collecting specimens
• Help with skin care and oral care
• Reposition bedridden patients
• Help transfer patients from wheelchair to bed
• Help patients get dressed and eat
• May walk patient to appointment or for exercise

So let’s say you are working in a hospital setting. Your shift begins and you make the rounds, taking patient’s vital signs. While you’re in room 2034, a patient asks if you can help her stand up and get into her wheelchair. You do and then continue on with your rounds.

Later in the day you assist a few patients down to their physical therapy appointments and help Mrs. Rodriguez with getting dressed. It’s a busy day for you and at the end of it you feel great about the care you have provided and the difference you’ve made in people’s lives. For many people, it’s not just a job but food for the soul.

1. No Prior Experience is Needed

You don’t need any prior experience or degree to begin your certification program – you could start towards a career as a CNA in just 5 months. For many people, starting or switching to a career in the field of healthcare might mean prerequisite education requirements, but that’s not always the case. Becoming a CNA is one such option.

2. Emotionally Rewarding Career

The work is challenging but also incredibly rewarding. At the end of each day you can feel real satisfaction knowing you made a profound impact in people’s lives. As a CNA, you could also develop lasting relationships with your patients – working with the same patients day in and day out over longer periods of time. You will never run out familiar and friendly faces as a CNA.

3. Gain Firsthand Exposure to Other Healthcare Careers

CNAs work closely with licensed vocational nurses and registered nurses. This gives you an opportunity to watch and learn what they do to determine if you want to advance your career in this direction.

And, since you will develop a rapport with nurses, you can also seek professional guidance to make a career choice that’s best for you. For CNA’s, there is also the opportunity to specialise in a particular type of care or certain types of patients, for career advancement. This expertise could be in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, hospice care or medication.

4. Prerequisite for Entry into a Nursing Program

Some nursing schools only admit candidates who have gotten their CNA certification and some real-world experience. This experience prepares nursing students for the rigors of the nursing program. This means, that once you have done your CNA, you can advance your certificate and career seamlessly.

5. Varied Work Environments

CNAs can choose to work in a variety of work settings. Many will seek employment in hospitals, while others will work in hospices and still others will care for patients in their homes.

With a huge demand for hospice care and in-home patient care in 2023, CNAs have a pool of opportunities with the environment they need.

6. Flexible Schedules

CNAs typically work full-time schedules. Having said that, because patients require care around the clock, you will most likely be able to find positions that offer flexible scheduling through shift work. That way could maximize time with family on a schedule that works best for you. This career option keeps getting better!

7. Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that this profession will see tremendous growth over the coming years. Moreover, the battle with Covid-19 has put a lot of pressure on the healthcare system, around the world, leading to an increase in the importance of as well as the demand for Certified Nursing Assistants. We’ll get to specific statistics in just a bit.

5 Things to Look for In A CNA Certification Program

1. Find an online CNA program from an authorized school or accredited university

Getting a proper education is paramount to your success. In addition to gaining critical skills and information, you’ll have a certificate to proudly display on your wall. Certification is also always rewarded by the employers and valued in the industry.

2. Look for a discount and a low monthly payment plan

Adult learners typically don’t have large amounts of money to put toward their education. Don’t worry though…that’s why OnlineDegree.com has made it our mission to help adult learners get huge discounts toward their certification!  We can help 🙂

3. Make sure an externship placement is included

Real-world experience is what will set you apart from other candidates and make you more marketable for the best job opportunities.

Candidates that have some prior experience are always preferable to those without it and of course, having some real world experience can boost your confidence immensely as well.

4. Look for an online, mentor supported course you can take at your own pace

Certification through online classes is the way to go. You can learn at your own pace while still getting the support and mentorship you need.

5. Find out if textbooks are included in the cost of the program

Have you seen the prices of textbooks? Books for a CNA program can cost an arm and a leg!  Make sure to find a program that doesn’t charge extra for books.

The median annual wage for CNAs was $30,310 in May 2021 or $14.56 per hour. This salary is dependent of a variety of factors including experience, certifications, and location.

Industry also impacts how much you can earn. For example, CNAs working in the government can earn as much as $37,310 a year.

Although most CNAs work full-time, some choose to work part-time. And, because hospitals and nursing homes provide care at all hours, CNAs may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Not only is there plenty of flexibility but also the choice to set your working hours and therefore free some time to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

With the baby boomer population aging, there will be more need for CNAs to help care for an increasing number of older patients in hospitals and nursing homes, so you’ll never run out of opportunities. Not just that, but with rising diseases and illnesses, assistance across healthcare industry seems to be on the rise.

While job prospects are good across the board, those candidates who have obtained certification will have the easiest time landing a job.

A solid education provides the much needed professional jump. Luckily we can connect you with accredited universities that offer this training!

Next, you’ll want to determine what setting you’d like to work in. As we mentioned, many CNAs will work in a hospital setting, but there are other settings you may wish to work in.

For instance, CNAs also work in nursing homes, home care, assisted living, hospice, community-based long-term care, correctional institutions, and other long-term care settings. Each of these work environments offers its own benefits and challenges, so be sure to spend some time researching to determine what setting appeals to your personality best.

Your motivation in your workplace will automatically transfer into your work and will help you make the most of it for professional gain as you progress.

Once you’ve determined your preferred work setting, your next step is to gain some valuable real-world experience before starting your job search.

The good news is a quality certification program will include an externship so you can gain some hands-on experience!

Q: What Does a Nursing Assistant Do Every Day?

A: A CNA works to help patients who need help with everything from:

• Taking vital signs (temp, pulse, blood pressures etc)
• Helping patients be mobile
• Helping patients get dressed
• Bathing and skin care
• Helping them eat
• Mouth and hair care
• Making beds or rooms ready for next patients
• Toileting assistance and catheter care
• Transfer wheelchair-bound patients to and from bed
• Turning and positioning bedridden patients regularly
• Post-mortem care

Q: What is a Nursing Assistant Certification?

A: This certification is a valuable asset to have as it shows prospective employers that you have taken the time to learn the fundamentals. This certification will help you stand apart from the crowd and hopefully get your resume noticed.

Q: What Skills Will I Learn in Nursing Assistant Training?

A: Your training will focus on basic care for patients, understanding medical terminology, following proper safety regulations, filling out incident reports, and knowledge of CPR.

Q: What Are the Prerequisites for Enrollment in a Certificate Program?

A: The only requirement for enrollment in these programs is a high school diploma or equivalent.

CNA Certification is required or preferred by most employers. Plus, taking a certification program could be the best way to get your foot in the door, build your network, get training, and work experience.