CNA
Description: CNA stands for Certified Nursing Assistant, and they are also called orderlies, nurse aids, home health aides, and many other terms. Their job places them under the supervision of a nurse, and their jurisdiction is the daily tasks of the patient. Because of this, CNA’s work closely with patients and help them with their everyday needs and challenges. This includes tasks pertaining to grooming, sanitation, and feeding, just to name a few. They also help nurses with medical equipment and checking vital signs of patients.
One of the most unique aspects of the CNA job is providing emotional support and answering questions that the patients may have. The CNA oversees the patients’ daily lives and struggles, and has one of the most personal and intimate interactions with patients. It’s said that great RN’s started as CNA’s, and that makes it a wonderful stepping stone to becoming a nurse. The job can be very demanding and often emotionally taxing. However, those who enjoy it say that the rewards of the job are just as great.
A certified nursing assistant is an entry-level position, and that makes it quite accessible to those who seek to move up in the ranks and become a registered nurse down the line. Nursing assistants are considered “in the trenches”, and give you a great idea of what is in store if the goal is to become a registered nurse in the long run.
Statistics: Nurses assistants are in high demand and the position is the fastest growing in the health care industry. It’s expected that in the next decade there will be an above-average increase in available positions.
Training: CNA’s are always required to have their GED or high school diploma, as well as 6 to 12 weeks of training to get a CNA certificate. This certificate and training can be obtained at a local community college program or medical establishment. In the classroom setting, you will study the basics of nursing, physiology and anatomy, as well as diseases and nutrition. You will receive hands-on training before you’re allowed to work in the field.
Salary: CNA’s will earn roughly $23,663 to $29,801 annually, and this will depend upon the years of experience and what type of facility they work in. The job offers a variety of settings, with nursing assistants working in hospitals, private homes, mental health centers, assisted living centers, and nursing homes. It is expected that the demand for nursing assistants will only increase as the years go on and the elderly community continues to grow.
