Top Paying Jobs for a Certified Nursing Assistant

Completing the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training is an excellent strategy to start a healthcare career, particularly if you don’t have time, resources or desire to become a doctor or registered nurse.  Though this profession might not be as glamorous as some other medical professions or may not need as much funds for getting CNA training, it is a very significant profession.  CNAs are accountable for a lot of the daily care and support of the patients.  The supervising doctors and nurses depend on the CNAs to report any issues a patient may have.

Successful completion of the CNA training offers you numerous job alternatives.  These numerous employment opportunities could leave you confused and at times even tensed.  Because there are numerous job opportunities, it can be difficult to find out which job is best match for you.  Here, we will discuss the best paying jobs for a CNA. These top five types of CNA jobs open even to entry level CNAs.

CNA Jobs in Hospitals:

If you opt to serve in a healthcare facility or a hospital following CNA training, you might support numerous patients with diverse health issues.  Daily responsibilities may include taking vital signs, assisting and helping with medical procedures, monitoring the fluid intake as well as output of patients, gathering samples, reporting to the supervisor regarding the behavior, physical changes and mental state of the patients they are handling.  You may even assist patients in routine tasks like eating, bathing, walking, and getting in and out of beds. CNAs working in hospitals earn roughly $8.78 to $15.37 per hour, depending on experience level and location. Continue Reading »
Best Paying Jobs for a CNA

Job Prospects for CNA

Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can not only get you a respectable salary, it is also a very rewarding experience. Often, those who would like to go in for a nursing career wonder what exactly a CNA’s duties are and if they would like their job as a CNA.

Those interested in a career as a CNA don’t have to pursue a four-year degree in a college.  But yet they can earn a good salary that is more than minimum wages. The important thing however is to decide if you are really interested in earning your living as a CNA.  Not everyone is suited to this profession.  You have to be strong mentally and physically, as a CNA’s job can be very demanding and there could be challenges to be faced that many people don’t know about.

Choosing CNA as a Career

There is a great demand for CNAs today making it an appropriate time to get into the healthcare field.  Those who want a secure job and are looking for an entry level position in the healthcare sector should consider CNA training.  Another advantage is that when the time comes to look for a job you’ll find that often healthcare facilities are willing to employ candidates who don’t have any work experience.

CNAs play an important role in healthcare and are often looked at as noble souls because of the care they provide to people who are sick or in pain.  CNAs usually work under the direct supervision of registered nurses or other senior medical staff.  They interact directly with patients, much more than any other medical professionals, and respond to their calls for medical assistance.

CNA Duties

Some of a CNA’s duties include stripping down a patient’s bedding, and assisting patients to have their meals, bathe and dress.  They learn how to take vital signs of patients and deliver specimens.  They have to carefully observe a patient’s mood and his state of mind and report this to the nursing staff. They also have to attend to unpopular tasks such as emptying bedpans and removing soiled bedding. Nevertheless, many of these tasks can be rewarding when you see a patient’s health improve due to your care. Checking out all these different responsibilities of a CNA will enable you to make an informed decision regarding a career as a CNA.

Average CNA Salaries

CNAs are employed in different healthcare environments such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, physician’s offices, nursing homes, elderly care facilities. They can also provide personal home care. The salary a CNA earns may vary according to the type of employment. Mostly, hospitals pay slightly more than nursing homes. Salaries in hospitals could range from around $13.00-20.00/hour. Hospitals are also likely to offer better health insurance besides other benefits.

CNA salaries may also vary from state to state in the US. For example, the average annual salary a CNA can earn in California is around $28,000, whereas in Montana the average annual salary is around $23,300.

CNA Training Classes

In most states, you have to join an approved or accredited CNA training program if you want to earn a living as a CNA and complete around 85 hours of CNA training, following which you will have to obtain certification. To be eligible for joining an accredited CNA training program in any of the states in the US, you have to be at least 18 years old, and have either a GED or a high school diploma.

Information regarding the requirements in your state can be obtained from the department of health or the nurse’s registry in your state. Vocational and technical schools, nursing facilities as well as the Red Cross offer CNA training programs.

CNA Certification

Once you have decided to join an accredited CNA training program with the right CNA certification standards you should know what the CNA Classes curriculum will cover during the next 4-12 weeks. Usually, you’ll be offered courses in anatomy and physiology, communication skills, interpersonal skills, infection control, patient rights and independence, and other basic nursing skills.

Free CNA Training Classes

The first thing you have to remember is that nothing in the world is really free. No matter which school offers you CNA training classes, it will want payment for the cost of training you to become a CNA. Training schools have to spend a lot on training a batch of students. They have to spend on CPR training, CNA instructors, materials such as stethoscope, scrubs, books, and on clinical training costs. Hence no school can offer free training. But there are ways of getting your training paid for by some specific government agencies. Mostly they expect work in exchange for the free CNA training.

Online CNA Training Classes

Today you’ll come across many educational facilities that are switching to the online style of providing training. Many institutions find that students often find it more beneficial to take an online class instead of going to a training center for classes every day.

A lot of students find that it is indeed very convenient if they can stay at home and complete all their classwork on their home computer. CNA Training Online also makes more sense as students can complete the training at their own pace. Some students can quickly absorb everything in a classroom lecture. But there are many students who need the information to be repeated several times before they understand it properly. For such students, online training is the better option.

CNA Job Duties and Responsibilities

Certified nursing assistants or CNAs are very important people in the medical world.  All over the world there is a great demand for nurses and nursing assistants.  A person who gets certified as a nursing assistant can be employed for a lot many profiles in the field of health care.  CNAs can get jobs in health care facilities such as medical offices, hospitals as well as nursing homes.  A certified nursing assistant works under the supervision of a general physician or a registered nurse.  Thus when you work as a CNA, you can feel happiness knowing that your goal is to help others who need help.  CNA jobs are in high demand because of the high percentage aging population and lack of trained professionals in the health care field.

CNA Job Description

To be eligible to work as a CNA, you must successfully complete an approved CNA training program and pass the CNA certification exam. A certified nursing assistant has a lot of responsibilities in her job which she has to follow while she is employed.  Ambulatory care is essential because several patients are confined to a wheel chair.  Certified Nursing Assistant jobs includes appropriately aiding a patient who is disabled.  At times a patient may not be physically powerful enough to get around in their wheel chair or their walker.

During meal timings it is the duty of the CNA to assist the patient who is not able to feed himself.  She serves the food, helps the patient to pick it up on the spoon and then slowly try and put the food into his mouth.  If the patient is too ill, then it is the duty of the nursing assistant to feed him at regular intervals.  The CNA has to be present with the patients all throughout his meals so that they do not get choked while eating. Furthermore, after the patient eats, the CNA has to clean the patient properly and bathe them if needed.  The CNA also has to check the hygiene of the patient at regular intervals.  The sheet on which the patient lays has to be changed every day.  CNAs also bathe the patient in case he is unable to do on his own.  Dressing up the patient, helping him to brush his teeth and putting his denture are all a part of the job of a CNA which she needs to carry out efficiently everyday.

The job of a certified nursing assistant also involves checking the symptoms of the patient everyday like the heart rate, blood pressure blood sugar, and temperature.  In case there is any problem she should report it to the nurse immediately who in turn would take the necessary action.  A CNA can also simply assist the patient by talking to them, comforting them, or just giving them company so they do not feel lonely.  As a CNA, one may also become close with the family of the patient and keep them updated on progress of their loved one. Continue Reading »
CNA Jobs

Landing your first job after your CNA Training

Once you’ve completed your CNA training and become a Certified Nursing Assistant, you will be eager to find employment in the healthcare field.

Read on for a few useful tips for landing a CNA job as quickly as possible.

Sign up for a training program that offers job placement

Many times, the job placement offered by training centers and nursing programs could involve partnerships with nursing clinics or assisted living facilities with odd working hours or less than average wages than other employers in the vicinity. But don’t be put off by this for it is a good option for fresh CNAs for finding employment right away. As you gain work experience here you can start looking out for a more suitable job later on.

Apply to a temporary placement agency

If you register with a temporary agency while you are undergoing CNA training and then contact them later when you’re ready for a job, they could find you a job lasting from around a few weeks to a few months. Such temporary positions could open the door to full time, more permanent work as a trained CNA. Another advantage is that since you had completed the preliminary paperwork much earlier, the agency will be able to find you employment much quicker.

Contact hospitals and nursing clinics while still under CNA training

To avoid having to wait too long for a job opening as a CNA, submit your job application to hospitals, retirement homes, assisted living centers, and others hiring nursing assistants even as you are still in CNA training. Job hunting even before candidates complete CNA training is usually looked upon favorably by employers and could be to your advantage. Continue Reading »
Finding a Job after CNA Training

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CNA Training to Work with Hospice

A hospice is a center which provides mental and emotional care for patients who are incurably ill.  Working as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) at a hospice requires one to undergo an approved CNA training. A certified nursing assistant does not require any extra qualification to work in hospice.  A hospice CNA may have the opportunity to work in a hospice center or may work even at a patient’s home.

Duties of a CNA in a Hospice

A CNA certification coupled with a substantial experience is sufficed for getting a job in the post of a hospice CNA.  A CNA working in a hospice is responsible for noting down important statistics related to patient’s blood pressure or pulse.  A CNA working in hospice also assists the patients with their daily basic chores like brushing, dressing or coming or even feeding at times when it is not in the patient’s capacity to do so.

A hospice assistant is trained to put the patients at ease by providing care and comfort during the last years of their lives.  In the process they also give support to the patients family members.  They also offer complete administration of medicines, giving massages for relief and an overall care to make every possible effort to divert them form stress and pain. Continue Reading »
Working as a CNA at a Hospice

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Certified Nurse Assistant or Home Health Aide?

Many people think that Home health aides (HHA) are the same as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA).  Apparently both the terms look similar and the jobs may have some similarities, which causes this confusion; however, there are some differences between a CNA and an HHA.

Certified Nursing Assistants generally work in health care facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals and long-term care units, whereas a Home Health Aide works in the patient’s place of residence.  However, certified nursing assistants can also perform duties as home health aides, by giving health care services in the patient’s residence.  HHAs do not work for any institutional settings; they work for only one patient who needs help for daily living.

Generally the Home Health Aides look after the patients who are

• Recovering from an illness or surgery
• Chronically ill
• Elderly persons who needs help and supervision with daily routine

Sometimes, Home Health Aides are also expected to perform duties similar to that of CNA.  Here are the main differences between an HHA and a CNA.

First of all there is difference in the training required to become a Home Health Aide and Certified Nursing Assistant.  It is compulsory for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)  to undergo CNA training and pass a state certification exam to be eligible for employment.  There are no such education requirements to become a Home Health Aide.  Normally an HHA gets trained on the job under the Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses ( LPNs) or other direct supervisors. HHAs can get a job either by applying to classified ads or through a job and placement agency.

The other basic difference between CNA and HHA is that Home Health Aide takes care of only one patient at the patient’s residence, whereas a Certified Nursing Assistant, in general, takes care of several patients at a time.  In few cases, the Home health aides are asked to perform some personal works for patients, like cooking, providing transportation, grocery shopping and cleaning linens.
A Home Health Aide needs to have a license in case he/she applies through an agency.  However, the requirement of the license for HHA varies from state to state and the nature of duties.  If the Home Health Aide has to perform the duties of a CNA, then licensure and proper education will be required, but if the duties of the HHA are limited to basic care through the night and assisting the patient with just household duties, then certification or licensure is not required.

Home health aides cannot prescribe medications or injections to their patients.  HHAs can help the patient to take medicines which are prescribed by doctors.  CNAs, on the other hand, help their patients with some medical treatments along with helping in bathing, dressing, walking, exercising and feeding.

Which is the right option – CNA or HHA?

Both CNA and HHA are rewarding careers if you consider the nature of duties; both the positions give you satisfaction of helping others. When you have to choose among the two career options, CNA has more opportunities, as they can get a job in various types of health care facilities.  A Certified Nursing Assistant can also work as an HHA on a part time basis and earn supplement income, provided she has a fixed schedule of her main job.  If you are looking for better employment opportunities for you, a Certified Nursing Assistant could be the perfect career choice for you.

Tips for CNA Job Interview

If you have passed your CNA certification exam, the good news is that there are plenty of CNA job openings in every state.  However, to get the best CNA job, you’d need to create a good impression during your CNA job interview.  A job interview does give people butterflies in the stomach with nervousness.  Any job interview makes a candidate apprehensive; whether it is the first job you are interviewing for or just changing jobs.  To be successful in your job interview, here are a few tips to overcome some of the fears you may have.

First of all, prepare yourself at least a week prior to the date of your job interview for CNA.  Read up on all the literature available online and offline, to get updated information on CNAs.  Being prepared with your answers beforehand will enable you to respond in a precise manner and to the point.

CNA Job Interview Questions

Some of the questions asked during CNA job interview are:

• Your reasons for choosing a career in CNA?
• Your reasons as to why you want to work in that specific healthcare facility?
• Your reasons for looking for a change in employment in case you have been working as a CNA elsewhere and are now seeking a change.
• Whether you would be willing to undergo a background check in case the interviewer wants to check with your employers?
• If you can cite your career pluses and minuses in terms of being in the field of a CNA and related activities?
• If you have set your goals and what are your ambitions for your future?
• How you would react to a serious mistake made by a colleague?
• What benefits and advantages or knowledge in terms of value-addition would you bring to the new organization, the patients and your co-workers if you were selected to join?

If you are able to do some out of the box thinking on your own, you will already be able to come up with typical questions you might be expected to answer and prepare yourself accordingly.  Request a friend or someone close to you to quiz you with some random questions for practice.  Do some background research on the facility you are going to be interviewed for so you know something about the place you will join if selected.  You too can be prepared to ask your own questions of the interviewer, which would display an interest on your part. Continue Reading »
CNA Job Interview Tips

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Looking for CNA or Nursing Jobs?

A CNA job will set you on the fast track to a quality career in the health care field. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are employed in a variety of facilities including government hospitals, private hospitals and clinics, and home care. There are roughly 1.4 million nursing aides currently employed in the United States.

The turnover in the CNA field is quite high, as many CNAs leave jobs opting for advanced training to become a RN or LPN. Thus, there is continual demand for CNA professionals.  CNA jobs are expected to grow at a rate 21% or more in the next five years.  There are excellent job openings for CNAs across the United States. CNA salaries vary depending on the location, shift timings, and experience.

We have recently partnered with simplyhired.com to offer you access to the latest job openings for CNAs all across the United States. You can search the database of thousands of CNA jobs. It is one of the biggest and smartest job search engine on the web for nurse aides.

Please check our CNA Job Search Engine for CNA Job Openings section at the top right of our home page.

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A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) has to perform a variety of duties as they are in maximum contact with the patients.  CNAs have many responsibilities as they are more close to patients then even the nurses or doctors.

A typical day as a CNA would be something like as follows,

In the morning, a CNA will have to help patients dress up and help them in any of their morning tasks.  This includes helping in the bathroom especially in the case of elderly and extremely ill patients.  They would be required to feed people who can’t feed themselves.  They will have to take vitals for serious and old patients.  This might also require listening to the lungs and heart, also the recording of the breathing of the patient.

As the afternoon progresses CNAs would help to transfer patients to the different appointments.  They would have to pass out linens and reposition patients if need be.  Also, they will have to make the patients bed and feed lunch if need be.  Vitals have to be taken for very sick and very old patients.  They would also have to walk the patients who can not. Continue Reading »
Typical Day as a CNA

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