Certified Nursing Assistant
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) works primarily in long-term care facilities, hospitals and nursing homes under the supervision of the nurse and medical staff. Certified Nursing Assistant performs activities of daily living for individuals and patients who cannot care for themselves. A certified nursing assistant requires to complete a state-approved nurse aide training program, pass the CNA certification exam or nurse aide competency evaluation. The certified nurse aide certification exam consists of both a written and a skills test. Most states also require a certified nurse aide to be listed in good standing as a CNA on State Nurse Aide Registry.
CNA Classes
Certified nursing assistant classes provide necessary skills in order to become a CNA. Most States require certified nurse aide candidates to complete CNA classes and training before taking the CNA certification exam. For most states, the requirement to take CNA classes is over 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED. Certified nursing assistant training program can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks, and cover general nutritional guidelines, infection control methods, safety and emergency procedures, human anatomy and the role of nursing assistant in various settings. Certified nursing assistant schools, hospitals, nursing homes and Red Cross centers offer CNA classes and CNA training program.
CNA Schools
CNA certification candidates require to complete CNA classes and training from accredited CNA schools and institutions in order to participate in the certification exam. Besides CNA schools, some nursing homes and Red Cross centers also offer a training program that meets the state requirement. Most CNA class credits from an accredited certified nursing assistant school are transferable. Taking CNA classes in one of the states approved nursing assistant schools helps to advance nursing career.
CNA Jobs
Nursing homes and hospitals are the primary employers that employ certified nursing assistants. Nursing assistants provide basic patient care under the supervision of nurses, physicians and other medical staff. Common duties for CNA nursing jobs involve cleaning up rooms, helping patients with daily living tasks such as eating, grooming, bathing, dressing, moving patients, changing linens, taking blood pressure, temperature and heart rate readings. CNAs may also transfer or transport patients.
The qualification requirements for CNA jobs vary by the occupations, the State laws, and work setting. Typically certified nursing assistants require to complete high school or equivalent, and complete CNA classes from State approved CNA school or nursing home. Nursing assistants also need to maintain a good standing on State Nurse Aide Registry.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNA jobs are expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The growing elderly population in the United States will require more certified nursing assistants in long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
Nursing Assistant Salary
Nursing assistant salary varies by the occupations, experience and work settings. The average hourly wage for certified nursing aide is in the range of $13 to $18 dollars. Nursing assistant salary is higher than average in cities such as San Francisco, California and New York City. The executive branch of the federal government, colleges, universities, professional schools and state governments are the top paying industries for CNA jobs. The annual mean nursing assistant salary range is from $25,000 to $36,000. With minimum skills requirements, ever growing CNA jobs and attractive nursing assistant salary makes certified nursing assistant an attractive career choice.
Certified Nursing Assistant Certification
Certified Nursing Assistant Training
CNA License
CNA Certification Exam
Nurse Aide Registry