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.
18 Reasons to Choose a Career as a CNA
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.
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 job growth rate for CNAs is well above average, indicating a favorable employment outlook.
CNAs can anticipate an average annual salary of $32,050, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Wages can increase with benefits and signing bonuses. Additionally, further training and specialized nursing certifications can enhance a CNA’s earning potential.
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.
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.
CNA positions in hospitals have 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. CNAs in these settings may also perform light housekeeping duties, help residents access common areas and dining rooms.
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.
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 nursing assistant jobs 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.
Job duties vary depending on whether CNAs work in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities. 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.
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.
According to August 2021 data from Payscale, CNAs with acute care skills 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.
These CNAs can assist patients with daily hygiene, prepare meals, monitor their health, and administer medications. ZipRecruiter reports that hospice CNA salaries average $33,770 per year as of August 2021.
9. Traveling CNAs
Traveling nursing assistant jobs are suitable 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.
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.
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.