Certified Nursing Assistant CNA

Certified Nursing Assistant or CNA assists in the care for those who are sick, injured, disabled, and convalescent. A Certified Nursing Assistant generally works under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. The education requirements are shorter for a Certified Nursing Assistant versus a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, therefore, the CNA is expected to perform routine tasks. As a nursing career, Certified Nursing Assistant offers excellent job opportunities at a lower pay compared to higher level nurses. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant is often seen as a stepping stone to becoming an LPN or RN, however, advancement is limited unless higher level nursing certification is completed.

CNA Nursing Career Points:

CNA nursing programs generally last 6 to 12 weeks and are offered by high schools, hospitals, nursing care facilities, vocational nursing schools, technical schools, and community colleges.
CNA designation is obtained by passing a state board of nursing license exam and paying any required fees.
CNA nursing job prospects are currently excellent and are expected to grow.

Certified Nursing Assistant Requirements

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant, you must complete a state approved Nursing Assistant training program, then pass that program's Certified Nursing Assistant exam. Nursing Assistant programs generally last 6 to 12 weeks and are offered by high schools, hospitals, nursing care facilities, vocational nursing schools, technical schools, and community colleges. State government guidelines vary as to the minimum number of hours required for classroom and clinical training. Visit your state board of nursing website using the links on our site to obtain the latest information about CNA requirements in your state and neighboring states. Always remember to verify that your Nursing Assistant program is approved by your state, otherwise you may not be able to use your certification.

Aside from the training requirements, CNA candidates should be caring and sympathetic by nature. In other words, if you are easily agitated by others, Certified Nursing Assistant is not a career for you. Caring for the sick, injured, disabled and convalescent can be emotionally stressful. CNA candidates should not be squeamish and afraid to interact with patients in a medical setting. Good decision making and communication skills are also required given the amount of interaction between the CNA, LPN, RN, patients, the patients' family, and other nursing and medical facility staff.

Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs are expected to grow faster than average through 2016 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Nursing Assistants and related occupation titles held approximately 4,592,000 jobs in 2006. Related occupations include Nursing Aide, Psychiatric Aide, Home Health Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants.

Certified Nursing Assistant median hourly earnings was $10.67 as of May 2006. Where you live within the U.S. and the industry for which you work will greatly impact your salary as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The report from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that the lowest 10% of CNA and related nurses earned less than $7.78 per hour while the highest 10% earned more than $14.99 per hour. Assuming a 40 hour work week and 52 weeks a year, annual earnings would range from $16,182 to $31,179 per year or more. Below is a short list of median hourly earnings for Nursing Assistants, Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants:

Local Government $12.15
Employment Services $11.47
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals $11.06
Nursing Care Facilities $10.37
Elderly Community Care Facilities $10.07

Certified Nursing Assistant and all nursing careers are somewhat dynamic and constantly changing. Medicine and patient care, for example, continues to improve over time. Health care service providers like most businesses face financial and budgetary constraints alongside state and federal practice guidelines. Healthcare industry changes, state licensure restrictions, CNA work settings, specialties, and emergency medical situations are just examples of ways a Certified Nursing Assistant duties may change. While exploring a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, we recommend that you talk to CNA nurses currently working at a nearby facility, potential employers, and to search for Certified Nursing Assistant jobs online to review job descriptions and requirements.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupation Outlook Handbook 2008 - 2009 Edition

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» Nursing Schools
» Nursing Programs
» Nursing Degrees
» Board of Nursing
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