The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pathway offers a multitude of unique opportunities for recent high school graduates or career changers to get their foot in the door of nursing. With over 1.4 million job positions recorded as of 2022, the CNA pathway offers the flexibility and freedom to explore the many types of healthcare and nursing while working alongside nursing professionals.
What is a Nursing Assistant?
Nursing assistants are trained healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of registered or licensed nurses to provide basic, rudimentary care services to patients.
What does a Nurse Assistant do?
Nursing assistants work under the supervision of a licensed or registered nurse to perform basic care and support to patients as part of a larger nursing care team. Since CNAs are not licensed as registered nurses, they are not able to perform many of the clinical duties a registered nurse or licensed nurse can. Some of the many CNA duties include collecting patient vital signs, changing and cleaning bed linens, as well as assisting RNs and LPNs with procedures.
Where do CNAs work?
Nursing assistants can find work in many different locations. Since CNAs maintain a wide variety of support roles and functionality, their skills can be transferred and applied across many different organizations and healthcare institutions. Here are some locations CNAs can be found working in:
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Home health services
- Specialty care centers or facilities
How do you become a CNA?
Each state offers different requirements to become a nursing assistant, including regulations on training programs, certification exams, recertification, and more.
While each state mandates unique requirements and certifying processes, it is standard across all states that those interested in becoming a nursing assistant should be a graduate of high school and possess some form of post-secondary training or education.
CNA courses or programs vary in length from a few weeks to a couple of months or even a year. Receiving an educational certificate or diploma provides students with training in the key skills and functionality of the position. Training programs also support students seeking certification.
Nursing Assistant Career Outlook
The CNA career path can offer exciting opportunities for aspiring nurses to get their foot in the door early and explore the many different nursing career paths.
With nursing assistant positions open across the healthcare continuum, CNAs have the opportunity to work with many different populations in many different settings. With the position expected to add over 50,000 jobs between 2022 and 2032 and with increased salary and wage opportunities, the CNA position has a lot to offer.
The University of Providence offers a variety of programs designed for current or aspiring healthcare professionals, including pathways in healthcare administration and nursing, and undergraduate certificate programs such as medical assisting or pharmacy tech.
These programs and more are designed to support and build future healthcare leaders by providing industry-specific training and skills.
