CNA Jobs: The Importance They Hold

One popular way to start off your nursing career is to become a certified nursing assistant or CNA.  This role is important, pays well, and can lead to higher things over the years.  Here is everything you need to know about CNA jobs.

CNA job description

A certified nursing assistant works under an LPN or RN.  CNAs provide basic medical assistance to patients in hospitals and nursing homes.  Most CNA jobs will include the following roles:

•         Assist patients with daily activities like getting dressed and bathing
•         Take vital signs
•         Provide meals and help with feeding
•         Record health concerns and report them to your supervising nurse
•         Assist RNs in whatever tasks they need help with

Most CNA jobs are in nursing homes, but they are also common in hospitals, home healthcare, and other types of long-term care facilities.  Because of this, some CNA jobs are at strange hours.  It is not uncommon for nursing assistants to work night shifts, weekends, and holidays.  People need basic care at all times of the year.

CNA education

In order to become a CNA, you do not need to have a college degree.  This is different from most other nursing positions.  All you need is a high school diploma or equivalent as well as CNA training.  Colleges, trade schools, and medical facilities all provide these programs.  It takes between four and twelve weeks to complete the training.  You will then have to take a certification exam.  Once you pass the exam, you can start looking for CNA jobs.

Why are CNA jobs so important?

Certified nursing assistants are a vital part of the healthcare system.  Without them, many nursing homes and other medical facilities could not run.  It may not be the most glamorous job, but CNAs do what has to be done.  They keep patients clean, fed, and healthy.

Because CNA jobs have them working so closely with patients, the nursing assistants form close relationships with them.  This is another reason CNAs are so important, especially in nursing homes.  It can be lonely to live in a senior care home, but CNAs provide a friendly face.  They see the same patients day after day, which provides stability and companionship.

CNA job benefits

Besides the obvious benefit of helping other people, CNA jobs get paid fairly well, especially considering that you don’t need a college degree to work in this position.  The average CNA made $28,540 a year as of 2018.  Some earned nearly $40,000, like those who worked for government agencies.

While some people become nursing assistants right out of high school and stay in the position their entire working lives, others use it as a stepping stone for other nursing jobs.  Some use the money they have made as a CNA to fund an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.  This can lead to becoming a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.  CNA jobs can even lead to management and administrative positions in nursing homes if you would like.  This would also require a college degree as well as a lot of experience working with the elderly.  

There is a large population of older adults right now in the United States.  As they continue to age, there is only going to be more need for CNAs.  This job is not going away anytime soon.  In fact, it is expected to grow by about nine percent between 2018 and 2028. 

CNA jobs near me?

CynaMed helps people find the perfect CNA jobs for them, whether that be full-time or part-time.  Call (412) 325-3420 to learn more about positions in the Pittsburgh area.