How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant
By Mary Franz
Contributing Author
A Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) assists nurses and doctors in caring for patients. They may answer patient signal lights and address patient needs or communicate advanced needs with the RN on duty. They often bathe, dress or undress patients. They may also change bedding and acquire simple needs such as water, ice chips or soft foods if the patient is allowed to eat in between meals (or at all as in NPO cases). In some cases they deal with meal time needs if dietary aides are not used in the facility.
Transport for lab testing, x-rays and treatments are also common. You may be responsible for directing visitors, answering the phone or running various errands. One of the biggest areas of assistance for CNA's are monitoring vitals (blood pressure, temperature, respiration rates) and keeping track of input and output (food in, waste out). Preparing supplies is another important task. You might sterilize instruments and keep adequate stock of dressing packs and treatment trays. CNA's may assist physicians in various treatments by draping the patient or handing the physician sterile instruments, dressings or adjusting the light.
Given the general job description, you have to consider whether this is the right career change for you. CNA's do not earn as much as LPN's (licensed practical nurses) or RN's (registered nurses), but their job is just as demanding. In order to be a good CNA, you need to have compassion and a desire to help others. You should consider your tolerance for seeing people in pain and your ability to deal with cranky individuals. Nobody is really very happy when they are ill, especially if the illness is quite serious. Loved ones visiting patients are also under stress and can be difficult to help. As well, consider your ability to deal with the usual sites and odors of healthcare in general.
Beyond mindset, are you physically capable of being a CNA? Patient transport, bedding changes, adjusting patients to prevent bedsores and assisting a patient to the restroom require adequate strength. If you have back troubles or other physical issues that may prevent you from heavy lifting, you might not be able to perform all aspects of some CNA jobs. In other instances, you might find a CNA position that requires little if any of those particular duties. A pediatric ward, for instance, may be a good choice simply because most of the patients are lighter.
If you feel you are qualified to become a CNA, the commitment for education is minimal. Most CNA training can be completed in as little as 6 weeks and the cost is far lower than an LPN (1-year diploma) or RN (2-year degree). You can expect to earn somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000 a year on average for a full-time position, though you may make a bit more for some positions after you gain experience. Many CNA positions are part-time in nature and very flexible in terms of hours available. This makes this job ideal for those seeking part-time work due to planning around the needs of a family. A few nightshifts a week will contribute towards paying the bills without disrupting your family's schedule. After education and training is complete, you will be required to take a certification exam. Exact requirements vary by state.
There are many different areas where CNA's are needed. Many jobs are within nursing home or rehabilitative centers. You might find a CNA position at a clinic or physician's private office. Hospitals, of course, employ a large amount of CNA's. There are also government jobs and traveling CNA positions. Home healthcare is another big area for CNA work.
Printed under exclusive license for RNDegrees.net from the author and Circles of Light, a personal development blog where you can learn more about a career as a Certified Nurses Assistant.
Become a Certified Nursing Assistant
Find Certified Nursing Assistant Training Programs
Train to become a CNA in as little as 6-to-12 weeks and start enjoying excellent job opportunities, a good income, and outstanding opportunities for career advancement. Request additional information to speak with a program adviser:
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Illinois School of Health Careers
Campus
Look no further than Illinois School of Health Careers to give you the training you need to excel in Health Care.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Chicago
Dover Business College
Campus
Launch a business, healthcare, or technology career with Dover Business College. Train with the most current technology programs at one of our two (Dover and Paramus, New Jersey) campuses.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
- Dover
- Clifton
Florida Technical College
Campus
Florida Technical College has structured its Health Care, Technology, and Programming curricula to achieve one thing for its students: success in the real world.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant Technician
- Lakeland
- DeLand
- Orlando
- Kissimmee
- Hollywood
Everest Institute
Campus
Take your career to a whole new level with a degree from Everest Institute. Programs available in Accounting, Paralegal, Business Administration and more.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician (Diploma)
- Medical Assistant (Associate's)
- Medical Assistant (Diploma)
- Dearborn
- Miami
- Jonesboro
- Pittsburgh
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- Fort Lauderdale
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- Saint Paul
- Brighton
- Silver Spring
Kaplan College - KHE
Campus
Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Programs:- Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician
- Certificate: Nurse Aide
- Diploma: Patient Care Technician
- Corpus Christi
- San Antonio
- Columbus
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- Midland
- Arlington
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- Las Vegas
- Charlotte
- Phoenix
- Clovis
- Mcallen
- Fort Worth
- Dayton
- Indianapolis
- Bakersfield
- Lubbock
- El Paso
Vista College
Campus
Vista College offers specialized vocational training and occupational education. Program graduates are awarded certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees. Curricula are reviewed and developed through a Governing Board and Advisory Board whose members represent business, industry, and education. A Financial Aid Department, a Placement Department, and an Admissions Department supplement the Academic Department to help students achieve their career goals.
Programs:- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
- Medical Assistant
- Las Cruces
- Lubbock
- Amarillo
- El Paso
- Beaumont
Florida Career College
Campus
Train for the real-world skills that help you launch a successful technology or healthcare career with a degree, or diploma from Florida Career College.
Programs:- Diploma - Patient Care Technician
- Diploma - Medical Assistant Technician
- Diploma - Medical Assistant
- West Palm Beach
- Hollywood
- Miami
- Clearwater
- Boynton Beach
- Pompano Beach
Fortis Institute
Campus
Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Assisting
- Smyrna
- Tampa
- Houston
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- Erie
- Dothan
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- Phoenix
- Montgomery
- Windsor Mill
- Cincinnati
- Cookeville
- Lawrence Township
- Largo
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Pittsburgh Technical Institute
Campus
Pittsburgh Technical Institute offers you a career-focused education shaped by industry insiders and employers. Get the skills that can get you the job in 24-month associate programs and 9 to 15 month certificate programs that include business, technology, medical and design degree opportunities.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assisting
- Practical Nursing
- Oakdale
Branford Hall Career Institute
Campus
Branford Hall Career Institute offers career-focused education that gives you the job skills you need to make the leap into some of today's hottest careers.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician II
- Patient Care Technician I
- Medical Assistant
- Danbury
- Bohemia
- Branford
- Springfield
- Southington
- Albany
Ultimate Medical Academy
Campus
Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) specializes in preparing students just like you for rewarding and challenging careers in Healthcare. While most schools teach many different subjects, UMA is exclusively focused on the healthcare field.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Dental Assistant Program
- Tampa
- Clearwater
St. Louis College of Health Careers
Campus
Get your career started with St. Louis College of Health Careers. We offer programs for careers in the health care field at our two St. Louis, Missouri, locations. With our accelerated programs, you could be on your way to a new career in under a year.
Programs:- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Saint Louis
- Fenton
Career Quest Learning Centers
Campus
Give your career a boost with Career Quest Learning Centers. We offer programs in business, information technology, and health care that are designed to get you into your new career fast.
Programs:- Certified Nurse Aide
- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Lansing
- Jackson
- Portage
Career Point College
Campus
Career Point College - San Antonio can help prepare you to start a career that's in demand. Flexible schedules, on-site daycare and lifetime job placement assistance available.
Programs:- Nurse Aide
- AAS in Medical Assistant
- Medical Assistant
- San Antonio
- Tulsa
Seven Healthcare Academy
Campus
Advance your career with Seven Healthcare Academy. We offer a nursing assistant (CNA) training program and an RN/LPN/LVN re-entry/refresher program and NCLX preparatory class.
Programs:- Nursing Assistant Training Program (CNA)
- RN/LPN/LVN Re-entry/Refresher ProgramNCLX Preparatory Class
- Tempe
