Certified Nursing Assistant
An Overview
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) aids patients with healthcare needs under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. Also called Nursing Assistants, CNAs work directly with patients on a daily basis. The high level of patient interaction often means that CNAs serve as liaisons between patients and the rest of the healthcare team.
Responsibilities
Certified Nursing Assistants perform a vast array of tasks. This fast-paced position can entail the following:
- Taking and recording patient's vital signs
- Administration of medications or treatments
- Cleaning and sanitizing patient areas
- Document and report behavior, complaints and symptoms
- Apply clean dressings, slings or support bandages
Work performed by a CNA is not glamorous, but it is incredibly important. Many Certified Nursing Assistants find their work very fulfilling. They have the opportunity to ease discomfort and offer companionship and solace to people when they need it the most.
Education and Licensure
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant one must first complete a training course. CNA training programs can be found online, at community colleges and in teaching hospitals. They may run anywhere from two to eight weeks, depending on the frequency and length of classes.
Upon completion of the training program, you'll need to take a competency exam. This exam tests you on both practical skills and general knowledge. Practice tests and study guides for this exam can be found freely online.
Pay and Benefits
In general, CNAs are paid hourly instead of by an annual salary. As such, your earning will fluctuate depending on how much you work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median hourly wage for Certified Nursing Assistants was $13.54 in 2020. As with nearly every profession, geographic location, education and experience all affect your rate of pay.
The BLS predicts that job opportunities for CNAs will continue to be in high demand. In fact, they state that this profession will grow even faster than average. The BLS reports that the Certified Nursing Assistant career opportunities will grow at a 20 percent rate in the decade between 2020 and 2030. There are already 1,505,300 CNA jobs. The expected growth means over 300,000 additional jobs by 2030. That's a lot of opportunity.
In short, a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant offers a low barrier of entry and vast availability of positions. Working as a CNA can also be a great stepping stone to other, more advanced health care careers.
The Difference Between a CNA and an LPN
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