Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Career Guide | NursingEducation (2024)

What Is a CNA?

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, provides direct patient care in hospitals and other healthcare institutions under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN or LVN). CNAs may also be referred to as nursing aides, nursing assistants, or patient care assistants. CNAs are certified through state-specific education and licensing requirements that can generally be completed within four to 12 weeks.

CNA positions are often considered entry-level because the education requirements are less time-consuming than other nursing positions. That said, becoming a CNA can be an excellent starting point for healthcare professionals. CNAs who enjoy working closely with patients as part of a team may find working as a nursing aide to be professionally and personally rewarding.

What Does a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Do?

CNAs are an integral part of patient care teams and assist patients with many activities of daily living. Daily responsibilities will vary by institution and patient assignment. Certified Nursing Assistants and aides are often responsible for the following tasks:

• Answering patient call lights
• Bathing patients or assisting patients in bathing
• Assisting patients using the restroom
• Grooming patients, including dental hygiene
• Changing patients’ linens and clothing
• Moving or turning patients to prevent skin breakdown
• Ambulating, or safely walking, with patients
• Feeding or assisting patients with eating
• Completing minor wound care
• Taking vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
• Reporting changes in patients’ conditions to nursing staff
• Documenting all interactions with patients in their medical records
• Cleaning and restocking patient rooms and supply rooms
• Transporting patients via stretcher or wheelchair

Successful CNAs are a source of comfort to their patients, as they provide care with respect, clear goals, and patience. Nursing assistants are able to adapt to each patient and are considerate while also being efficient. CNAs may also note changes in a patient’s well-being and are able to communicate effectively with team members to ensure an intervention takes place in a timely manner.

How Much Does a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Make Per Year?

CNAs reported an average wage of $19.04 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most certified nursing assistants earn between $30,020 and $48,780 per year. Compared to other nursing careers, wages do not vary greatly by type of employer. The top-paying sector for nursing assistants is education, including colleges and professional schools. CNAs at these locations are most likely teaching students interested in becoming nursing assistants and reported an annual mean wage between $30,020 and $48,780, which is roughly $14.43–$23.45 per hour.

Nursing assistants and aides will also notice variations in pay depending on experience and location. Reported wages are considerably lower than average in some central and southern regions of the United States, as demonstrated below:

Source: BLS

Where and When Do Certified Nursing Assistants Work?

Nearly 35% of CNAs work in skilled nursing facilities, such as assisted living institutions and rehabilitation centers. Certified nursing assistants are also found in nearly every patient care area of hospitals. CNAs have some opportunities to work in surgery centers, acute care, and outpatient clinics, though these positions are less common.

In skilled nursing, hospitals, assisted living, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, CNAs often work 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts. If working 10-hour shifts, a CNA may work four shifts a week. Shift options are often day, evening, or night shifts. 12-hour shifts are divided into a day shift from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and a night shift from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. A CNA may work three 12-hour shifts in seven days and be considered a full-time employee. Working three days or nights in a row and then being off for four is an appealing schedule to some employees. As these inpatient locations never close, CNAs will be required to work some holidays and weekends. CNAs in outpatient clinics or surgery centers will have more traditional business hours and fewer weekend and holiday requirements.

CNAs may also find employment opportunities with home health agencies or as an independent contractor. Working with patients in their homes through an agency, CNAs may have scheduled hours and on-call requirements. Other nursing assistants may choose to work with only one or two patients at a time. Patients and families paying for private care in their own homes can create contracts and hire CNAs to fulfill their specific needs and hours.

How Do I Become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?

Before entering a CNA program, a candidate must be a high school graduate or have their GED (previously known as a General Educational Development). Certified nursing assistant programs are available at community colleges, technical colleges, and vocational schools and sometimes are offered by healthcare institutions. Some high schools offer early enrollment opportunities for students interested in completing a CNA program.

Nursing assistant program requirements and length vary by state. Most CNA programs consist of 70 to 115 hours of education completed over four to twelve weeks. Core learning goals may include understanding and demonstrating the following:

• Scope of practice
• Healthcare regulations
• Professional communication skills
• Principles of infection control
• Collection and recording of patient information, including vital signs
• Personal care delivery, including moving and ambulating patients safely
• Safety and emergency protocols, including CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)

Upon completion of a state-accredited CNA program, students are eligible to become certified through examination. The exam may be computerized, oral, require skill demonstration, or a combination of these testing types. Each state administers its own CNA licensing exam. A licensure application usually includes additional requirements such as a background check and a fee. Licensure is required to practice as a CNA, and annual continuing education hours are required to maintain licensure in most states.

Certified nursing assistants and aides have excellent job security, as patients will always need hands-on care. This career is a good fit for those interested in providing nursing care and who don’t want to commit to two- or four-year nursing programs. Additionally, some employers will partially cover tuition fees for CNAs wishing to pursue nursing school. Experience as a CNA also looks good on nursing school applications. Successfully working as a CNA prior to nursing school demonstrates professional skills and a commitment to the field of nursing.

Additional Patient-Centered Careers With Short Training Requirements

If you are interested in caring for patients, you may also want to explore these healthcare careers:

• Licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) provide nursing care with a more limited scope of practice than RNs and often work in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.
• Certified medical assistants (CMAs) support healthcare providers in clinics and other outpatient settings by completing a combination of patient care and clerical tasks.