Most Common Jobs for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
While there is a substantial number of certified nursing assistant (CNA) positions in hospitals, home healthcare, and long-term care facilities, CNAs have opportunities in various unexpected work settings.
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) play a crucial role in healthcare, providing bedside care to patients.
While the majority of CNAs typically work in nursing care facilities and hospitals, there are numerous alternative employment possibilities for CNAs.
This guide explores the CNA job opportunities in different CNA work settings and helps you navigate your CNA career path.
If you are a CNA looking for a new workplace or considering a career as a CNA, this guide explores diverse work settings that employ CNAs and can help you navigate your career path. CNA career prospects are bright, with CNA job growth outpacing many other occupations due to an aging population and a growing need for healthcare workers.
Struggling to meet your deadline?
Get your assignment on Most Common Jobs for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) done by certified MDs and PhDs in the USA. ORDER NOW!
Where Do CNAs Find Employment?
With an aging population and expanded healthcare coverage, there is a high demand for certified nursing assistants in settings such as assisted living centers, hospitals, home healthcare, and clinics. The CNA job outlook is promising, with many CNA career paths offering opportunities for advancement. The job growth rate for CNAs is well above average, indicating a favorable CNA employment trend.
CNA Salary can vary based on location and specific job settings, but CNAs can expect an average annual salary of $32,050, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Wages can increase with CNA job benefits, benefits packages, and signing bonuses. Additionally, further training and specialized CNA certification can enhance a CNA’s earning potential, opening doors to higher-paying roles.
CNA Duties and Responsibilities
CNAs are vital members of any healthcare team. Their responsibilities encompass maintaining patient cleanliness and safety, assisting with daily tasks, and facilitating patient mobility. They provide hands-on care, address patient needs, and advocate for patients. These skills are applicable to a wide range of work environments. The following list delves into specific CNA roles in each workplace.
1. Nursing Homes
Approximately 37% of CNAs are employed in nursing care facilities. These CNAs assist residents with bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. They may also monitor vital signs, engage residents in social activities, and take them outdoors for fresh air. Nursing home CNAs also offer companionship and support to residents. Nursing assistant job roles in this setting are essential for ensuring the well-being of elderly patients.
The median annual wage for CNAs in nursing care facilities is $30,120, according to the BLS.
2. Hospitals
The BLS reports that 27% of CNAs work in hospitals, where they aid registered nurses in tasks like monitoring blood pressure and temperature, repositioning patients in bed, transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs, and addressing patient concerns. In some states, specially trained CNAs may administer medication. Hospitals offer CNA job opportunities in high-stress, fast-paced environments, including specialized roles in surgery and intensive care.
CNA salary in hospitals tends to be slightly higher, with a median annual salary of $32,160. Specialized CNAs in areas such as intensive care, surgery, and emergency departments may earn higher wages.
3. Assisted Living and Retirement Communities
Residents in assisted living facilities and retirement communities typically do not require around-the-clock medical care. Instead, they receive personalized assistance. These assisted living and retirement facilities employ 11% of certified nursing assistants. Some residents need help with basic activities such as bathing, eating, and mobility, while others can live independently but require health monitoring.
Assisted living jobs provide CNAs with the opportunity to offer personalized care in a less medically intense environment. CNAs working in continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities earn a median salary of $30,020.
4. Home Healthcare
As per the BLS, 5% of CNAs work in home healthcare. Similar to home health nurses, these CNAs visit patients in their homes and assist with tasks like meal preparation, bathing, light cleaning, and grooming. Home healthcare CNAs enable patients to remain in their homes rather than hospitals or assisted living facilities and may assist home healthcare RNs with medical care. Home healthcare CNA jobs can provide greater independence for both the CNA and the patient.
These CNAs often interact with patients’ families and friends, and some may even provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, run errands, and socialize with patients. Home healthcare CNA salaries offer a median annual salary of $29,210.
5. Government Facilities
BLS statistics indicate that only 4% of CNAs work for the government. The federal government employs CNAs in various settings, including Veteran Affairs community living and medical centers, agencies like the Indian Health Service, military hospitals, and state and local public health agencies and clinics. CNA career progression opportunities in government facilities often include solid benefits, job stability, and competitive pay.
Government positions typically offer competitive pay and benefits, with a median annual salary of $37,240.
6. Schools
In schools, these CNAs assist licensed school nurses by providing first aid, administering doctor-prescribed medications, contacting parents or caregivers when students become ill at school, maintaining records of student visits to the school nurse’s office, and liaising with emergency care providers and physicians when necessary. School CNA jobs provide an opportunity to work with children and adolescents.
CNA salary in school settings tends to be slightly higher, with an average annual salary of $40,280. ZipRecruiter reports an average annual salary of $40,280 for school nurse assistant jobs as of August 2021.
7. Clinics
Urgent and acute care clinics hire CNAs to support nurses and physicians by preparing examination rooms, taking patients’ vital signs, and providing basic medical care. CNAs with additional training and certification may work in specialty clinics, where they perform tasks like drawing blood and administering electrocardiograms.
Healthcare providers in clinics rely on CNAs for clinical support roles to assist with both administrative and hands-on patient care tasks. According to August 2021 data from Payscale, CNAs in clinics typically earn an annual average salary of $31,230.
8. Hospice
Hospice CNAs work in teams to assist hospice nurses and physicians in caring for terminally ill patients. They provide palliative care either in the patient’s home or in hospice or long-term care facilities. Additionally, they offer comfort and support to the patients’ family members. Hospice work offers CNAs the opportunity to provide compassionate care during end-of-life stages.
Hospice CNA salaries average $33,770 per year as of August 2021, according to ZipRecruiter.
9. Traveling CNAs
Traveling CNA jobs are ideal for CNAs who desire flexibility, variety, and competitive pay. Traveling CNAs visit patients in their homes, working locally and regionally through agency assignments. Similar to travel nursing, these CNAs assist patients with daily activities, record medical information, and communicate with patients’ doctors and family members. Traveling CNAs have the option to choose their assignments and work in diverse CNA work environments.
As of August 2021, Glassdoor reports an average base salary of $35,420 for traveling CNAs.
10. Private Practice
Nursing assistant jobs in doctors’ offices typically offer regular business hours without night shifts. In larger practices, CNAs may prepare examination rooms, check patients’ vital signs, and record medical histories and other information. CNAs working in smaller offices might schedule appointments and answer phone calls. CNAs employed in private practice offices earn an annual average salary of $32,960, according to ZipRecruiter. According to ZipRecruiter, CNAs employed in doctors’ offices earn an annual average salary of $32,960.
Dont wait until the last minute.
Provide your requirements and let our native nursing writers deliver your assignments ASAP.