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.

CNAs are often referred to as nursing assistants. The role shares many similarities with positions such as certified medical assistants (CMAs) and patient care technicians (PCTs), although the tasks and responsibilities vary. 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.

As CNAs work in retirement homes and the need to care for the elderly is growing, the position is in demand.

You’ll need to complete an education program, which often includes a competency exam at the end. As CNAs work in retirement homes and the need to care for the elderly is growing, the position is in demand. 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).

It’s possible to make a living and start a lifelong career by gaining a position as a CNA. 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.

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.

Courses cover theory and practical training, and the program generally culminates in a competency exam that shows your preparedness to enter the workforce.

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.

Courses cover theory and practical training, and the program generally culminates in a competency exam that shows your preparedness to enter the workforce. The exam covers the academic and practical aspects of knowledge, with a multiple-choice section and a clinical skills element.

CNA certificate

To become a certified nurse assistant or nurse aide, you’ll need to complete a nursing assistant (NA) program. These programs aren’t equivalent to a degree, although you do get a certificate and credits that could count towards a degree in the future. 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
• anatomy
• patient care and support

Typically, you’ll complete theoretical courses, practical simulations, and a clinical placement, usually at a local nursing home. Some programs will include a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) element, whereas others will require you to hold that certificate already. Admission requirements usually ask for a reading and math assessment, a high school diploma, and a physical exam.

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. It’s also best to choose an accredited school that has been approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Each state will have its own procedures after you get your certification. However, you’ll likely need to maintain your knowledge by keeping a role in the profession or attending a minimum number of education hours to keep your certification current and valid.

Though not displayed in the line chart above, total employment numbers continue to fall. Total employment dropped to 1,419,920 in 2019 before diving in COVID-ravaged 2020 to 1,371,050. This constitutes a 2-year employment drop of approximately 5%, though thankfully wages have increased by a good amount in the same time period, from a median average of $28,540 to $30,850. Hopefully, these salary increases signify that employment downturns are a supply issue, with wages continuing to increase to retain labor.

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. A step up from either of those would be to train as a licensed practical/vocational nurse.

After gaining experience as a CNA, many choose to pursue a degree while working so they can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse. As a minimum, that role requires an associate degree in nursing.

Associate degree in nursing (ADN)

CNAs with experience and training might be well suited to an ADN program, and some schools will recognize nursing assisting program credits to contribute towards the degree.

Generally, you can complete the program in 18 months to 2 years. Hybrid, mostly online, and campus-based courses are available. Most degrees require you to earn 65 and 80 credits in nursing curriculum and general education, respectively.

The program typically includes:

• pathophysiology
• human anatomy and physiology
• clinical assessments
• basic nutrition
• community care

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.

You’ll need to work in the setting where your patients are, so you can’t work from home in this role. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you’ll be on your feet a lot, and most positions require shift work over evenings and weekends.