Jobs For A Certified Nursing Assistant

If you care about people and want to help them in a health care setting, but you cannot put in the time to complete the education required for a registered nurse, then there is a job for you: A CNA, or Certified Nursing Assistant.

CNAs are known by many names: orderlies, nurse’s aides, patient care technicians, and home health workers. Certified Nursing Assistants are supervised by nurses and assist patients with feeding, bathing, and grooming tasks as well as providing aid to nurses and checking vitals.

Responsibilities of a CNA

A CNA keeps a close eye on their patient’s emotional and physical health and many times will become an anchor of emotional support. Quite a few nurses started out as CNAs, which gave them valuable experience. In order to become a CNA, you need a high school diploma or GED and you must pass a required 6 to 12 week medical course in your state of employment.

Biology, basic nursing, infection control, physiology, nutrition, anatomy, and clinical tasks will all be a part of your training. To get more specifics, check with the medical board in your state. You will have to pass a clinical portion and written portion in order to become certified. If you plan to be a home health worker, your certification can come from the NAHC, or National Association For Home Care.

Salary of a CNA

As people become older, there will be no shortage in the demand for CNA jobs in the home, nursing facilities, mental hospitals, hospitals, other health care settings. And you can expect your salary to be anywhere between $20,000 to $40,000.

The classifieds and nursing homes are two great places to learn more about CNA certification and find ways to earn money while training. In exchange for working in a health care facility while you become certified, they will probably require you to work for a certain amount of time afterwards. However, they may pay for you to take your state exam.