Answering Your FAQs About a Career as a CNA

A CNA is a certified nursing assistant. CNAs help patients with their daily living activities and other basic needs under the supervision of RNs and LPNs. A CNA will support the nursing staff as well as assisting with patients.

There are some similarities between a certified nursing assistant and a medical assistant, but they are two different healthcare careers. Medical assistants focus on patient assessment, evaluation, and assisting with treatment and administrative work, whereas CNAs are generally more involved in direct patient care. CNAs have specific tasks that assist patients with day-to-day needs.

A CNA will assist patients with daily living activities such as:

• Taking and recording vital signs.
• Feeding patients and recording their food intake.
• Bathing patients.
• Turning and repositioning patients.
• Assisting patients in the bathroom.
• Dressing patients.
• Hygiene tasks, including combing hair, shaving, brushing teeth, and nail care.
• Answering patient calls.
• Cleaning rooms and bed linens.
• Stocking and gathering necessary supplies for the RN or MD.

CNAs can find jobs in many different healthcare facilities. Almost half of all CNAs work in nursing care facilities, but many CNAs work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, retirement communities, and for home healthcare agencies. CNAs can find a great deal of job security and stability, as their positions are crucial to keeping these facilities running smoothly. CNAs will be able to find positions with regular hours as well as jobs with far more flexible schedules, such as nights and weekends, so they can meet their family obligations.

There are many benefits when you become a certified nursing assistant. In addition to salary and job benefits, there are many other advantages. You will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of your patients. A CNA will assist patients with tasks that they are unable to complete on their own, and this position is essential to their well-being. Becoming a CNA is affordable. Because you will earn a certification rather than a degree, you can become a certified nursing assistant in a few months or less for a relatively low financial investment.

You will always have job stability. An aging population has created a great need to fill healthcare positions, and as a CNA you will find excellent job security and plenty of job opportunities to find the right position. Finally, you will have a great opportunity for advancement. The tasks you will do as a certified nursing assistant will give you experience in basic nursing skills and allow you to explore different aspects of patient care. The opportunity to network with other medical staff and the experience you gain will make you a desirable candidate for career advancement.

To become a certified nursing assistant, simply enroll in an accredited program. Many programs are 12 weeks long and very affordable. Some programs are in-person, others are online, and some offer a hybrid with a mix of online and in-person instruction. All programs will include class hours and clinical hours. After completing the program, you will take a certification exam. Once you pass the exam, you will be placed on the state registry of CNAs.

Choosing to become a certified nursing assistant is an excellent way to begin a stable career in the field of healthcare. You can have a rewarding career that makes a difference in the lives of your patients. We’d like to hear from you. Contact Clement Career College for more information about this exciting and rewarding career.