certified nursing assistant 2024-2025
certified nursing assistant 2024-2025
A licensed nursing assistant is a vital position in any hospital (CNA). Because of their multiple tasks, CNAs are an important element of the patient experience in healthcare. Despite the fact that becoming a CNA is often considered an entry-level employment, it is a wonderful stepping stone to other occupations in the healthcare field. A great place to start your career and a great way to prepare for nursing or healthcare management work are CNA certifications.
Wherever you live, there will be different CNA requirements, but the overall process is the same. Find out what a CNA does, how to become one, and how you can use your experience as a nursing assistant to advance into other health care professions.
What does a CNA do?
Some of their responsibilities include:
- Turning or moving patients
- Gathering medical supplies
- Bathing patients
- Grooming patients by brushing their hair, teeth, shaving them, etc.
- Feeding patients and documenting their food and liquid intake
- Checking vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate
- Answering patient calls
- Documenting information
- Cleaning rooms and bed linens
- Stocking supplies
- Assisting with some medical procedures
- Safety procedures
- Transporting patients
- Taking care of wounds
CNAs will be required to fulfill specific duties and requirements at various hospitals and facilities. However, in essence, certified nursing assistants assist with crucial tasks that ensure patients’ safety and well-being in the hospital. For patient satisfaction and care, tasks like checking vital signs and keeping patients clean are crucial.
CNAs are qualified to perform specific duties in each state, so the specific roles you play may differ depending on where you live.
Where do certified nursing assistant’s work?
CNAs work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including the following:
- Hospitals
- Long-term residential facilities
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Adult daycare centers
- Rarely, clinical facilities
Most of the time, nursing assistants are needed in adult care facilities and nursing homes. Clinical work is not very common for nursing assistants, but it does happen.
The United States employed approximately 1,564,200 CNAs in 2018. Additionally, 38% of certified nursing assistants were employed in nursing homes. There may be various facilities hiring CNAs to assist with patient care tasks, depending on where you live.
CNA education requirements.
- Because the educational requirements to become a certified nursing assistant are not as rigorous as those for other medical professions, CNAs have relatively limited duties in the healthcare industry. As the entry-level positions in a hospital or care facility, nursing assistants typically require less education and certification than other health professionals like nurses.
- State-specific CNA education requirements typically include a training program that has been approved by the state. A high school, community college, vocational school, or even a hospital might offer this. These CNA classes, which last anywhere from four to eight weeks, cover important ethical and moral concepts, fundamental medical skills, and patient care. Students may also be prepared for actual patient care through in-person or hands-on skill elements.
CNA certification.
- Again, the certification process for nursing assistants will be different in each state. However, this frequently consists of an oral or written exam as well as a demonstration exam in which students demonstrate their ability to complete particular tasks. Students will need this license in order to apply for and be accepted into certain jobs. You’ll also be able to work with real patients because of this licensing.
What is the Salary for CNAs?
- In 2021, the median annual salary for certified nursing assistants, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), was $30,290, or $14.56 per hour.
- It is essential to keep in mind that this varies from location to location. The median pay for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in government settings like a VA hospital was $37,310, while the median pay for home health care services was $29,280.
- Depending on the needs of the employer, nursing assistants can work a variety of schedules. Some people work a variety of shifts during the week, while others follow a predetermined schedule and get paid annually. Hourly workers can be compensated for overtime, whereas salary workers must discuss this with the hiring committee. The requirements of the hospital and the offer contract determine an individual’s earning potential.
According to the BLS, the following states currently have the highest pay scale for certified nursing assistants:
| STATE | HOURLY AVG | ANNUAL AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $20.71 | $43,080 |
| New York | $19.56 | $40,680 |
| California | $19.12 | $39,760 |
| District of Columbia | $18.94 | $39,390 |
| Oregon | $18.67 | $38,830 |
Nursing assistant salaries are typically higher in metropolitan areas. The following are some of the highest-paying cities:
| METRO AREA | HOURLY | ANNUAL |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $22.93 | $47,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $22.84 | $47,500 |
| Salinas, CA | $21.26 | $44,210 |
| Fairbanks, AK | $21.10 | $43,880 |
| Napa, CA | $20.34 | $42,310 |
The following nonmetropolitan and/or rural areas employ the most certified nursing assistants:
- Kansas nonmetropolitan area
- Southeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
- Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area
- North Northeastern Ohio non-metropolitan area (non-contiguous)
CNA career outlook
- Even though working as a CNA is a great job in and of itself, many people use the position as a stepping stone toward a career in nursing or other healthcare fields. CNAs can get their start in the healthcare industry as a way to learn how to interact with patients and ensure that they enjoy providing care to patients.
- CNA work will help those who start out as CNAs and really enjoy working with patients gain practical skills and experience, which will prepare them to become nurses. Professionals can gain experience working with patients and performing some medical procedures by working as a CNA. Existing CNAs can even begin working toward their RN license and BSN degree while enrolled in online nursing programs. A rewarding nursing career and eventually positions in nursing management and leadership may result from this.
- In addition, some CNAs may discover that while they enjoy working in a healthcare environment, they dislike providing direct patient care. A great way to find out if you enjoy working with patients is to become a CNA. Other healthcare professions, such as health information management or health services coordination, might be a better fit for you if you decide it’s not for you.
- Working as a CNA can be a great way to get started in the nursing or healthcare fields.
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