What it's like to be a CNA

Once you complete the CNA training and certification, there are various career opportunities available for you in the field of nursing. The nursing profession is in great demand in today's times and the demand for CNAs is also on the rise. As per the U.S. Department of Labor, there exists great career opportunities for CNAs and this is only expected to rise in the future. According to reports, there is a projected growth of 19% in the employment opportunities for CNAs by 2018. So, what it's like to be a CNA?

What is a CNA? 

A Certified Nursing Assistant is a nursing professional who assists the patients in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities and takes care of them. CNAs usually work under the guidance and supervision of senior nurses such as Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). CNAs are responsible for a wide range of duties such as helping the patients do their daily tasks like bathing, feeding, dressing, moving, to measuring and recording the patients' vitals like blood pressure, sugar levels and so on. They are also responsible for handling different kinds of medical instruments and equipment and assist the doctors while doing surgeries.

What can CNAs Expect 

The career as a CNA acts as a stepping stone to advance your career in the nursing field. While working as a CNA, you get exposure to the hospital or any other healthcare setting environment. You come in direct contact with the patients and can understand their different, individual needs. You also get a chance to work under Registered Nurses and doctors who can guide you on several medical aspects and you can learn a lot from them.

The work of a CNA is not as easy as it seems. It takes a lot of patience and dedication to be successful as a CNA. You constantly have to help and assist patients who are sick and require constant care and support. You always need to be on your toes to take care of the patients and help them whenever it is necessary. You need to be willing and supportive to be able to give the required care to the sick patients.

The duties of a CNA vary according to the healthcare setting that they are working in. CNAs need to not only help the patients do their daily activities, but also need to keep track of their medical condition on a regular basis and report the same to the doctors who can then decide on the further course of medical treatment for the patient.

CNAs may at times require to work in different shifts. There may be patients who need to be taken care of on a 24 hour basis. As such, the CNAs need to be alert and attentive towards the patient's needs. CNAs may have to work even on certain holidays or on weekends, and they have to be prepared to sacrifice time for taking care of the patients.

Career and Salary of a CNA 

Salary of CNAs also depend on the state and the type of healthcare setting they are working in. You gain a lot of experience and develop all the necessary practical and clinical skills in your CNA job, and hence salary should not be an important consideration at this stage of employment in the nursing field. CNA is a challenging but at the same time a rewarding career in terms of all the experience that you can gain. The job satisfaction is also an important factor in your career as a CNA, as you are helping the ailing patients and giving them all the care and support that they really need.

CNAs mostly do not earn very great salaries. The salaries depend on various factors such as the educational qualification and experience, the region and the kind of healthcare setting that the CNAs are working in.

CNAs working in long term healthcare settings such as assisted living centers and nursing homes usually earn minimal income. On the other hand, CNAs working with staffing agencies as well as with hospitals earn good salaries. In general, the salary for CNAs ranges from $7 per hour to $20 per hour depending upon the experience that the CNA carries.

Possible Work Options for CNAs 

Nursing Homes/Community Care Facilities 

Due to the rise in the aging population, the demand for nursing homes is rising and hence the demand for CNAs is also rising. CNAs are responsible for taking care of the elderly patients in nursing homes as well as community care facilities. The CNAs gain valuable experience while working in these healthcare facilities, which might help them in the long run while advancing their career in the nursing field.

Most of the patients in community care or residential care facilities are elderly patients having special medical needs. The clinical environment of these residential facilities is almost the same as that of nursing homes.

Home Health Aide 

Home health aides also provide great working opportunities for CNAs. CNAs working as home health aides take care of the patients at their homes. The CNAs need to travel to different locations according to the residence of the patients. CNAs may require to do some household chores along with their other duties while working as a home health aide, and hence it is better that the CNAs are prepared for the same.

Hospitals 

CNAs who are employed in a hospital are responsible for a wide range of assignments. CNAs in hospitals take care of a number of patients simultaneously and they need to be on their toes all the time. The CNAs should be skilled and practice multitasking. CNAs in hospitals get an edge over other CNAs in terms of the exposure they get to various kinds of clinical procedures in the hospitals.

Thus as a CNA, you will be responsible for taking care of patients in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings. The job is difficult, but if you have the passion and willingness to help the sick patients, then CNA can present you the best opportunity to work in the nursing field as well as advance your career in the medical industry.