CNAs have many responsibilities that make them an integral part of the patient process in healthcare. While being a CNA is often considered an entry-level position, it is a great stepping stone to other healthcare professions. Being a CNA can help prepare you for nursing or healthcare management work in many ways, and is a fantastic place to start your career. CNA requirements will vary depending on where you live, but overall the general process is the same.
Learn about CNA duties, how you can become one, and how you can use your nursing assistant experience to propel you into other health care professions. There are many duties for nursing assistants. A certified nursing assistant helps patients with direct health care needs, often under the supervision of a nurse.
CNAs work directly with patients and nurses , helping with the many physical and complex tasks for patient care. Different hospitals and facilities will have unique requirements and responsibilities for their CNAs. But in essence, certified nursing assistants help perform critical tasks that ensure patients are well-cared for and safe during their hospital stay. Checking vital signs, keeping patients clean, and other duties like this are extremely important for patient care and satisfaction.
Each state will have specific responsibilities that CNAs are eligible to perform, so the exact job roles may vary depending on where you live. Nursing homes and adult care facilities are often the most common places where nursing assistants are needed.
Rarely nursing assistants will work in clinical settings, but that doesn't happen very often. Depending on where you live there may be different facilities hiring CNAs to help take on care tasks for patients.
CNAs have fairly limited healthcare duties partly because the educational requirements to become a certified nursing assistant are not as rigorous as other medical professions. Nursing assistants are the entry-level positions in a hospital or care facility, so the education and certification requirements tend to be less intensive than other health professionals, such as nurses.
CNA educational requirements vary by state, but often include a state-approved training program. Disadvantages to Becoming a CNA Physically moving patients and working in the healthcare setting carries risk of injury or illness Some tasks are unpleasant, involving bodily fluids or waste Low salary and little autonomy Can be stressful with high patient load. State-approved programs usually require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Most programs do not require a specific GPA but may seek either passing grades in high school math and English courses or passing equivalent exams.
Community colleges, high schools, and healthcare organizations, like the Red Cross, offer CNA training programs. Requirements vary by state. Some programs require students to be at least 18 years old to apply. In addition to a high school diploma or GED certificate, most programs require current vaccinations, an application, a physical health assessment, and a criminal background check. The specific training and education requirements vary by state but include coursework in health, science, hygiene, and applied training and fieldwork in skills, such as safely lifting patients and taking vital signs.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree? Find the right nursing program for you. Popular Resources Resources and articles written by professionals and other nurses like you. A CNA performs a variety of basic duties that are important for the patient's comfort and recovery. These tasks vary depending on the employment setting. Rules and standards for renewing expired CNA certifications will vary from state to state. In California, for example, if your certification is more than two years expired, or it is more than two years since you have worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant, you are required to have 24 hours of continuing education as well as sit for a Competency Evaluation.
Many nursing students find value in working as a Certified Nurse Assistant CNA during nursing school to add to their basic care and time-management skills. Most employers will allow nursing students to bypass the requirement of being certified, but check the job announcements for these allowances. Many states will allow those with nursing education and background to sit for the examination without taking an official CNA course.
Check with your local state certifying board for details. Enrollment in an accredited BSN program and completion of foundational nursing skills coursework may qualify the student for certification as a CNA. Some states require that students sit for a CNA registry exam regardless of enrollment in an accredited nursing program, while other states accept completion of nursing courses as verification of skills testing.
As the baby boomer population ages, there will be an increased demand for preventive medical care. It is important to note that this does vary depending on the setting.
See our insights into a CNA salary.
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