Certified Nursing Assistant
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a profession that can be both challenging and rewarding too. Are you thinking of building a new career to become a CNA? There are various CNA programs that can help you achieve your goal the quickest way. The first step is getting certification through an official exam.
First, let us identify the duties and responsibilities of a certified nursing assistant. A CNA’s main job is to assist patients and help them with their basic needs. Nursing assistants can work in hospitals, home care, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Some of their daily roles include checking the patient’s vital signs, helping them in their personal hygiene, assisting them during meals and supporting them with their other needs.
Here are some reasons why a lot of people choose to pursue this type of nursing job.
The average length of a CNA course lasts from 4 to 12 weeks. CNA classes usually make up at least 75 hours in the classroom, in addition to the practical skills you need to learn. There are CNA classes online that you can enroll in and a CNA study guide to help you learn the ropes. Once you finish your course, you will be required to take a licensure exam in your state.
To enter the CNA program, all you need to present is your high school diploma or GED. In most states, students should be at least 18 years old to qualify in the program. However, some states accept students that are at least 16 or 17 years old.
The course program averagely costs around $1,200. When you compare this rate to another nursing school or healthcare training facility, you’ll find this more reasonable. After you finish the course, you’ll spend $125 for the licensure exam and $50 for registration.
Working as a certified nursing assistant can be the first step to becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN). After you’ve experienced working as a CNA, you can evaluate your career path and decide if you want to continue to become a LPN, LVN or a RN.
With your personal knowledge and skills, you can become a solid candidate for a nursing position. At the same time, as you gain more experience in the medical field, you can also pursue other degrees including an occupational, physical or respiratory therapy.
The demand for CNA jobs is continuing to grow faster compared to other types of jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, they are expecting an increase of 18% in the demand for CNA jobs up to 2025. The average rate of job growth is only at 7%. This data shows that there are thousands of hundreds of CNAs needed in the healthcare industry.
A nurse salary is very competitive. Meanwhile, the average yearly salary of a certified nursing assistant is around $26,000. Although the rate can vary from state to stare. Some locations have higher annual salaries. A full-time work can offer you 25% more benefits such as medical insurance, vacation leaves and retirement contribution depending on the employer.
After working in a particular job, you can easily switch to another healthcare environment should you wish to. For example, if you’re working for old patients and you want to change your working environment, you can conveniently apply for a position where you can care for disabled children.
Because of the high demand of CNAs, it makes it convenient for you to switch roles. You can brush up on your skills by taking practice tests online.
As a CNA, your skills will allow you to practice your work in any state that you choose. Your skills in patient care are very marketable and will qualify you in various nursing assistant jobs in different working environments. You can decide if you want to work in a hospital, hospice or clinic. Plus, if you want to specialize in certain fields, you can get a certification in pediatrics or geriatrics.
As a hands-on health caregiver, you are directly involved with your patients. There’s nothing more gratifying than being able to help someone who is in need. As a CNA, you will regularly care for your patients, especially those who are in dire need including elderly people, disable patients and individuals who may be recovering from a sickness or injury.
Making a difference in one’s life is extremely fulfilling. Your role is very important to the healthcare team as well as your patients.
Nurses regardless of status or level are considered as an everyday hero. They perform all kinds of medical and healthcare requirement from cleaning wounds to administering treatments.
At the same time, they not only provide physical support but emotional support as well. A career as a certified nursing assistant will make you feel proud of what you do.
