What should I know when considering a degree in Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
- Nursing assistants are expected to have excellent job opportunities.
- Most nursing assistants work in nursing homes, hospitals, or home health care services.
- High physical and emotional demands cause high turn-over in this profession.
What does a Nursing Assistant do?
Nursing assistants, also known as nurse aides, certified nursing assistants, geriatric aides, orderlies, or hospital attendants, work under the direction of other health care professionals such as registered nurses and doctors. Most work in nursing homes, hospitals, or through a home-healthcare service. Nursing assistants observe the patients physical, emotional, and mental status and report any changes to the medical staff. Assistants often have unpleasant duties, such as emptying bedpans and changing soiled bed linens. Home health assistants do the same job as a nursing assistant, but in the patients' homes and they generally work alone. Most nursing assistants work about 40 hours a week and, because patients need care 24 hours a day, some aides work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
What is the job outlook for a Nursing Assistant?
Numerous job openings for nursing assistants are expected because of the high demand in the healthcare industry. Opportunities for advancement within these occupations are limited. Often a nursing assistant position serves as an entry-level job that helps an individual decide if they want to work in the healthcare field. Changing to other occupations within the healthcare industry usually requires additional training and education. The most common health care occupations that nurse aides move into are positions as a licensed practical nurse, a registered nurse, or a medical assistant.
How much money will a Nursing Assistant make?
The average yearly salary for a nursing assistant is $ $20,000, with a range from $16,000 to $$24,000, depending on experience and location. Usually, aides benefit from paid holidays, sick leave, hospital and medical benefits, extra pay for late-shift work, and pension plans.
How does one become a Nursing Assistant?
There are many vocational schools and community colleges that offer nursing assistant courses, but most assistants are trained on the job. Though many employers prefer to hire those with a high school diploma or equivalent, it's not required for work in this field. However, most hospitals require previous experience in the healthcare industry. With experience and specialized training a nursing assistant can choose to take the certified nurse assistant test (CNA), though this is not required by most states. Federal law also requires that home-health nursing assistants have a specific certification for their work.
What are the leading schools offering programs in Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
