The role of a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA as it is more commonly referred to, is incredibly versatile and involves a number of different tasks and lines of work. One of the first questions that people looking to get into this field tend to ask is…
What is a CNA, and What Do They Do?
The basic idea of this line of work to offer professional care to patients, and perform a number of other tasks that can assist them in their daily lives. These tasks take on many different forms, including, but not limited to:
- Assisting patients with eating, bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene
- Taking vital signs
- Helping patients get from their bed to their wheelchair
- Providing emotional support for patients
Because this is a job that entails closely working with people on a day to day basis, there is a certain amount of social skills that one needs to perform this job well. CNAs often work in places like nursing care facilities and medical centers where being compassionate and understanding a person’s situation while offering them quality care is essential. They must also be someone who the patients can depend on. This is a criterion that many CNAs in nursing homes are required to fulfill. In these situations, the patient is sometimes solely dependent on the CNA, making them their primary caregiver, which is an important role to carry out. You can learn more about what CNAs do by reviewing our list of CNA training materials which details the specific duties of a CNA.
In short, the answer to, “What is a CNA?” is someone who performs multiple tasks to assist medical practitioners like Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) in offering patient care.
CNAs, Also Known As…
If you do some searching around the web you’ll realize that there are a lot of different names for nursing assistants. CNA is the most common, but don’t be surprised to see job titles and CNA programs also use the following titles:
- Nurse Aide
- STNA (or State Tested Nurse Aide)
- LNA (Licensed Nursing Assistant)
- Patient Care Assistant
So, if you see one of these names on a job application or a training program, rest assured these titles all mean the same thing, there are just regional differences in the language used. For example, “STNA” is the title in Ohio while “LNA” is used in New Hampshire.
Skills Required to Succeed as a CNA
CNAs are in many ways a jack of all trades, but there are some key skills that most successful CNAs have that makes them excel at the job.
- Communication. This is perhaps the most important skill, as CNAs are trusted with effectively communicating between many parties verbally and in writing. CNAs regularly pass information back and forth between patients and the patient’s family to doctors, nurses, and other medical staff.
- Attention to detail. Working as a healthcare professional there is no room for error, so following protocol is extremely important to be a successful CNA. Beyond making sure that rules are followed from an operational standpoint, CNAs are responsible for keeping an eye on patients and reporting even slight changes that might signal changes in their client’s overall health.
- Organization. The truth is that CNAs have a lot on their plate. Many times they are performing a wide range of functions on multiple patients, so keeping organized and managing time effectively is critical for getting through the day.
- Compassion. Learning how to be emotionally supportive and empathetic towards clients can help CNAs navigate the difficult situations they will likely encounter when dealing with seniors and people in long term care.
Nursing Assistant Educational Qualifications
Because of the work that a nursing assistant must do, there are a few qualifications that they are mandated to have before they can apply to a job of this kind. These qualifications are not the same as a Registered Nurse but tend to be similar in terms of course structure and study.
A Certified Nurse Aide doesn’t have to have a Bachelor’s Degree but does need to pass a state accredited Certified Nursing Assistant training program. To achieve a nursing assistant certification with the state, potential CNAs will have to pass a multiple choice written competency exam along with the CNA skills exam, where a proctor will require the student to accurately perform a series of typical medical assisting tasks that CNAs perform such as:
- Hand Hygiene
- Applying knee-high elastic stockings
- Bedpan assistance
- Ambulation using a transfer belt
- Denture cleaning
- Recording a radial pulse
- Counting and recording respirations
- Dressing clients with weak or injured arms
- Feeding patients
- Assisting with bed baths
- Recording and measurement of vital signs, blood pressure, weight, and urinary output
- Patient side positioning
- Foot care
- Providing mouth care
- Perineal care
- Moving the patient from a wheelchair to a bed using a transfer belt
After earning their certificate, CNAs also have requirements and opportunities for continuing education, similar to many other health care positions. Typically, a CNA certification is good for two years. To renew a CNA license, one will need to meet the state’s requirement for continuing education. You’ll need to check with your individual state’s nurse aide registry to see what those requirements are. As an example, California requires 24 total hours of continuing education, with at least 12 hours of training in each of the years.
This site offers a number of free CNA practice tests to help potential CNAs prepare for the exam. We also offer tips for passing the CNA skills test.
Where to Find CNA Training
There are several institutions that one can approach when trying to seek CNA training. Community colleges and vocational schools are common sources for finding certification courses. These types of institutions often provide a variety of class times to allow people to gain their certification on nights or weekends. Some hospitals and nursing homes also offer programs wherein CNAs are given hands-on training for this kind of job. Some long term care facilities and nursing homes are in such need for CNAs that they will pay for tuition or offer to reimburse your tuition if you agree to sign a labor contract to work for them for a required minimum amount of time. For aspiring CNAs, this is a win-win as it eliminates the cost of training and provides guaranteed employment upon graduation. Check out our listings to find CNA classes near you.
CNA Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the job outlook for CNAs is very strong, with an expected growth of 11% through 2026. This means there will be a significant amount of job opportunities available upon passing the CNA certification exam and obtaining a state license. While most people are familiar with CNAs working in nursing homes, long term care facilities and hospitals, there are a number of other places that CNAs are employed, more on that below.
CNA Salary & Pay
As with any job, people want to know how much it pays. Interestingly, there are many factors that help decide how much a CNA gets paid. One of the key ones is the industry that the CNA works in. The table below shows the hourly and annual average pay for CNAs across the most common types of employers.
| Industry | Hourly average wage | Annual average wage |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Colleges | $33.25 | $69,150 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $23.09 | $48,020 |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $24.17 | $50,270 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $18.64 | $38,780 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $18.18 | $37,820 |
| Employment Services | $19.44 | $40,430 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $16.90 | $35,160 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $16.41 | $34,130 |
| Home Health Care Services | $15.46 | $32,160 |
| Dentist Offices | $26.86 | $55,870 |
| Colleges and Universities | $23.95 | $49,820 |
Source: Bureau of Labor and Statistics May 2022
Now That You Know What a CNA Does, is it Right for You?
Becoming a CNA has many benefits, but it’s not for everyone. Hard work and compassion are some of the key elements that define a CNA as patient care is usually required round the clock, and a CNA is usually the person to provide that care.