18 Reasons to Choose a Career as a CNA
CNA training unlocks doors to a nursing profession without the time and financial obligations of obtaining a degree and offers options for enrolling in CNA classes online. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) function under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), undertaking entry-level patient care tasks. Their responsibilities center around the day-to-day needs of their patients, involving duties like aiding patients with bathing and dressing, repositioning them in bed and transferring to wheelchairs, monitoring vital signs and documenting health concerns, and providing meals and support during eating. In certain states, suitably trained CNAs may also be authorized to administer medication.
A majority of CNAs find employment in nursing care facilities and hospitals. Other prominent workplaces encompass retirement and assisted living establishments, home healthcare services, and governmental agencies. Leading in CNAs employment, California is followed by Florida, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania. The metropolitan regions with the highest levels of employment include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
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This page extends guidance on CNA training programs and outlines 18 benefits of pursuing a CNA role.
Online CNA Training Options
States uphold distinct guidelines concerning acceptable CNA training, with some necessitating formal training programs available at high schools, community colleges, hospitals, and nursing homes. Others permit on-the-job training. In some cases, students might also have the option to pursue CNA classes online.
Online training programs, such as CNA Online, present adaptable and economical curricula that blend distance and on-site learning. Students access course materials based on their schedules, while supervised clinical experience needs to be completed in person at a location near their residences. The online curriculum, delivered through e-books and video instruction, encompasses subjects like anatomy, body mechanics, daily patient care procedures, nutrition, and the utilization of medical equipment. Additionally, patient safety courses cover CPR, first aid, and legal aspects.
Online CNA classes furnish flexibility and affordability for individuals with familial or occupational responsibilities. Most programs can be concluded within 6-12 months, though it’s advisable for students to cross-reference with their state’s training prerequisites to ensure program alignment and certification readiness.
Advantages of Pursuing a CNA Career
Opportunity to Make a Difference:
CNAs offer crucial services to patients and their families, performing essential tasks that patients may be incapable of completing independently, such as dressing, bathing, cooking, eating, changing linens, and facilitating movement in and out of bed. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, healthcare professionals like CNAs might serve as the sole companions for isolated patients or those without family support.
Opportunity to Specialize:
Embracing a CNA role presents avenues for exploring nursing after a shorter training period and probing potential specialized domains. A CNA certification can open pathways to educational pursuits and careers as registered nurses or advanced practice nurses, both of which provide opportunities for specializations like acute care, gerontology, oncology, family practice, and pediatrics.
Affordability:
CNAs are certified rather than degreed, resulting in a notably lower financial commitment. Online CNA training often comes at a lower cost than in-person programs, and certain institutions, organizations, and healthcare facilities extend free CNA classes. These classes can serve as both initial certification and means of sustaining current nursing skills.
Job Stability:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects around 174,000 annual job openings for CNAs between 2019 and 2029. With an aging population and a nationwide shortage of nurses across various levels, there exists a high degree of job stability through the end of the decade.
Variety:
CNA roles offer daily diversity, encompassing care for diverse patients, assistance to varied healthcare professionals, and the execution of multiple tasks. CNAs collaborate with nurses, healthcare providers, and medical staff, taking on responsibilities such as advising patients on dietary needs, recording vital signs, and conveying patient concerns to the healthcare team.
Ability to Work in Different Sectors:
CNAs operate in diverse environments. Nursing care facilities, including skilled nursing establishments, account for 37% of CNAs employment, followed by hospitals at 27%. Other substantial employers include continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for seniors at 11%, home healthcare services at 5%, and government positions at 4%.
Broad Experience:
Considered an entry-level nursing position, CNAs aid in developing foundational nursing skills and exploring patient care across varied healthcare settings. CNAs also engage with, support, and establish connections with physicians, RNs, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. The tasks they undertake lay a solid groundwork for advancement in the nursing domain.
Flexibility:
CNA training programs often accommodate flexible scheduling, permitting full-time or part-time work, volunteer engagement, or meeting other responsibilities. Most CNA courses are accessible according to students’ timelines. Post-training, CNAs may potentially negotiate schedules to align with their requirements in various workplaces, encompassing day, evening, and weekend shifts.
Job Security:
The BLS anticipates an 8% growth rate in employment from 2019 to 2029, significantly outpacing other combined occupations. The projected job growth rate for
CNAs in home health and personal care stands at 25% through the end of the decade.
Opportunity for Networking:
CNAs operate under the guidance of RNs and LPNs, while also assisting physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and additional healthcare professionals. Functioning within a medical team provides avenues for forging networking connections and building rapport with colleagues. These connections can prove valuable for recommendations in future employment or education, as well as for career counsel.
Easier Entry into Nursing Programs:
Entry-level nursing programs, including CNA training and courses, generally mandate a high school diploma or GED. High school students can prepare for CNA training by accumulating pertinent volunteer experience and attaining CPR and first aid certifications.
Cost-Effective Courses:
Individuals interested in obtaining a CNA certificate through entities like the Red Cross, as well as long-term care establishments and nursing homes, might access free training. Course content encompasses subjects such as caregiving relationships, fundamental nursing theory, nutrition, dementia comprehension, and vital sign monitoring. Training encompasses laboratory work and on-site clinical exposure.
Smooth Career Transition:
A starting point in nursing like a CNA certificate can serve as a stepping stone to advanced nursing roles like licensed practical nursing or registered nursing. Acquiring a certificate provides an avenue to accumulate nursing experience without committing to a degree. CNAs can transition more seamlessly to associate or bachelor’s level nursing programs.
Personal and Professional Pride:
CNA training furnishes high school graduates with an entry into a professional vocation that nurtures personal pride. As the ongoing global pandemic underscores, nurses across all levels undertake indispensable, life-saving efforts on the frontline of patient care, and CNAs provide fundamental support.
Enhanced Care for Loved Ones:
CNAs gain fundamental nursing skills that can extend to caregiving for family members if needed. In the current climate marked by economic uncertainty and resurgences of COVID-19, nursing expertise becomes valuable for assisting family members in quarantine. CNAs can also deliver adept care for non-urgent ailments, freeing up healthcare resources for critical cases.
Nurse Practitioner vs. Physician Assistant: How Are They Different?
Compensation:
CNAs can acquire certification through cost-free or low-cost training and enter the workforce with an average hourly rate of nearly $12. The nationwide mean hourly wage for CNAs stands at approximately $15, with the top 90% earning around $20 per hour. California and New York rank among the top states for job opportunities and wages, offering mean hourly earnings of $17.61 and $18.66, respectively.
Incentives and Benefits:
Full-time CNAs working in healthcare facilities may qualify for employee perks that encompass group healthcare insurance schemes, life insurance, paid vacation periods, and retirement plans like 401ks.
Enriching Professional Experience:
Choosing a CNA career should furnish a fulfilling experience for those inclined to aid others, make a positive impact in patients’ everyday lives, and enter a profession without committing to a degree. It is also a suitable choice for those seeking diversity in their work routine, stable employment, and chances for advancement.
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