Career Definition for a Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) aid nurses in providing patients with basic care. CNAs often spend more face-to-face time with patients than would any other member of a health care team. Certified nursing assistants are often employed in nursing homes, extended care facilities, hospitals, and sometimes in patients' own homes. Their duties include taking vital signs; assisting patients who need help eating, bathing and dressing; repositioning bedridden patients; changing bed linens; noting the amount of food and liquid consumed and urine output; interacting with patients' family members; monitoring patients; and keeping a record of care given.
| Required Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Necessary Skills | Teamwork, communication, taking direction, multitasking, organization |
| Median Salary (2021) | $30,310 for nursing assistants |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031) | 5% for nursing assistants |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
To start a certified nursing assistants career, you'll generally need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The requirements to become a CNA vary by state, but most state requirements include a certain number of hours of training or supervised clinical work and passing a competency exam. Many technical schools and community colleges offer one- or two-month training programs to prepare for state certified nursing examinations.
Required Skills
CNAs work as part of a team of medical caregivers under the direction of doctors and nurses; as such, it's important to be able to take direction and function well as part of a team. Certified nursing assistants typically have multiple patients and tasks to handle at one time; it's important for CNAs to be able to prioritize their duties and effectively multitask.
Economic and Employment Outlook
Employment in the nursing assistant and orderly field is expected to grow 5% from 2021-2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov). The median annual salary for nursing assistants, which includes certified nursing assistants, was reported as $30,310 by the BLS in May 2021.
Alternative Careers
Some skills necessary to become a certified nursing assistant will help you prepare for jobs in other areas.
Medical Assistant
While CNAs work in the homes of patients or at an inpatient facility, medical assistants perform administrative tasks and basic medical procedures at a clinic or doctor's office. In addition to clerical record keeping, they also take vital signs, administer medicine and prepare specimen samples for the lab. Education beyond high school is not required, but some employers prefer those who have completed a certificate, diploma or degree program at a career school or community college. Many medical assistants also pursue professional certification to gain a competitive advantage. The BLS projected a 16% increase in job opportunities for medical assistants between 2021 and 2031 and estimated the median salary to be $37,190 in 2021.
Registered Nurse
For those who may want more complex nursing responsibilities, a career in registered nursing is another possibility. Not only do nurses provide hands-on patient care, but they also coordinate treatment plans, operate medical equipment, assist with the diagnosis of diseases and provide patient education. To enter the field, individuals must complete a nursing diploma, associate or bachelor's degree. All states also require licensure that includes passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). In May of 2021, the BLS reported that registered nurses received a median annual wage of $77,600. They also predicted a 6% growth in employment during the 2021-2031 decade.
