OVERVIEW
What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse such as an LPN (licensed practical nurse) or RN (registered nurse). CNAs are essential in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare, ensuring that patients receive the necessary assistance with daily activities and maintain their dignity and comfort.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a CNA Do?
A CNA’s common day-to-day tasks include:
- Assisting with daily living activities: CNAs help patients with their daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and more. This is often one of the most rewarding aspects of the job, as it allows CNAs to develop close relationships with the people they care for.
- Monitoring vital signs: One of the key responsibilities of a CNA is to monitor and record patients' vital signs. This includes measuring blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration rates. Accurate monitoring is critical for detecting any health issues early.
- Providing basic patient care: CNAs ensure that patients are comfortable by providing basic care. This can include changing bed linens, repositioning bedridden patients to prevent bedsores, and assisting with feeding.
- Supporting nurses and doctors: CNAs work under the supervision of RNs and doctors, providing them with critical support. This can involve preparing patients for medical procedures, assisting during examinations, and relaying patient information.
- Maintaining patient cleanliness: Maintaining a clean environment is essential for patient health and safety. CNAs are responsible for keeping patient rooms tidy, ensuring clean linens, and maintaining hygiene standards.
- Documenting patient information: Accurate documentation is crucial in healthcare. CNAs are responsible for recording patients' health information, including changes in their condition and any treatments administered.
- Assisting with mobility: Helping patients move is another important duty of a CNA. This can include transferring patients from beds to wheelchairs, assisting with walking, and seeing that they follow prescribed mobility exercises.
- Providing emotional support: Providing emotional support is a significant part of a CNA's job. Patients often feel anxious or lonely, and a CNA's compassionate presence can make a big difference in their emotional well-being.
- Administering basic treatments: CNAs are trained to administer certain basic treatments such as applying dressings, performing range-of-motion exercises, and assisting with respiratory therapy.
- Ensuring patient safety: Ensuring patient safety is paramount. CNAs must be vigilant in monitoring for potential hazards, preventing falls, and ensuring that all safety protocols are followed.
Where Does a CNA Work?
CNAs can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals: Providing care to patients with acute illnesses or injuries.
- Nursing homes: Assisting elderly residents with daily activities and medical care.
- Home healthcare: Offering in-home assistance to patients who prefer to receive care in their own homes.
- Rehabilitation centers: Supporting patients recovering from surgeries or injuries.
- Assisted living facilities: Helping residents with personal care and daily activities in a community living environment.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a CNA?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a CNA:
- Research state requirements: Each state has specific requirements for CNA certification. Familiarize yourself with these regulations, including the number of training hours required and any other requirements.
- Complete a CNA training program: Enroll in a state-approved CNA training program, which typically combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience. This training covers essential skills, including patient care, basic nursing skills, and emergency procedures.
- Gain clinical experience: During your training, you will engage in clinical practice, directly working with patients under the supervision of experienced professionals. This practical experience is crucial for developing your caregiving skills.
- Pass the certification exam: After completing your training, you will need to pass a state certification exam, which usually consists of a written test and a skills evaluation. Successfully passing this exam will grant you the CNA credential.
- Apply for certification: Once you pass the exam, submit your certification application to your state’s nursing board. Some states may also require a background check.
- Maintain your certification: To ensure you remain a certified CNA, you may need to fulfill continuing education requirements and renew your certification periodically, depending on state regulations.
Best Degrees for a CNA
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Business
Healthcare Administration – B.S.
You can become a healthcare industry leader:...
You can become a healthcare industry leader:
Compare with B.S. Health Information Management
- Time: 63% of graduates finish within 17 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Management
- Communication
- Team Leadership
- Operations
- Scheduling
- Strategic Planning
The online courses in this career-focused business degree program will prepare you with management-level skills and an up-to-date understanding of our healthcare delivery system.
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
How Much Does a CNA Make?
$38,200
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for CNAs was $38,200 in May 2023. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,020, while the highest 10% earned more than $48,780. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and workplace setting.
What Is the Job Outlook?
4%
The BLS projects that the employment of nursing assistants will grow by 4% from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the aging baby-boomer population and an increasing demand for long-term care facilities and home healthcare services.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a CNA Need?
Being a successful CNA requires a combination of technical skills and personal attributes, most notably:
Communication skills: Effective communication is crucial for CNAs. You’ll need to interact with patients, families, nurses, and doctors. Clear, compassionate communication ensures that patient care needs are met and any changes in their condition are promptly reported.
Empathy and compassion: Empathy allows you to understand and share the feelings of your patients, while compassion motivates you to provide the best care possible. These skills help build trust and rapport with patients, making them feel valued and respected.
Attention to detail: CNAs must be detail-oriented to monitor patients’ conditions accurately, administer medications correctly, and follow specific care plans. Missing small details can lead to significant health complications for patients.
Physical stamina: The role of a CNA is physically demanding. You'll be on your feet for most of your shift, lifting patients and performing various tasks. Physical stamina is essential to handle the job's demands effectively.
Time management: CNAs often juggle multiple tasks at once, from assisting with daily activities to recording vital signs. Good time management skills will help you prioritize tasks, ensuring that all patients receive timely and adequate care.
Basic nursing skills: A strong foundation in basic nursing skills such as taking vital signs, administering medications, and providing wound care, is essential. These skills ensure you can meet the day-to-day medical needs of your patients.
Teamwork: Healthcare is a collaborative field. CNAs must work well with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care. Being a team player ensures that patient care is cohesive and of the highest quality.
Problem-solving skills: You’ll often face challenging situations that require quick thinking and effective solutions. Problem-solving skills help you address issues ranging from patient discomfort to medical emergencies efficiently.
Adaptability: The healthcare environment is dynamic, and CNAs must be adaptable to changing situations. Whether it’s a shift change, a sudden influx of patients, or new protocols, being flexible is key to maintaining high standards of care.
Calmness: Working with patients, especially those who are elderly or have chronic illnesses, requires patience. Understanding that some tasks and interactions may take longer and being patient ensures a calm and supportive environment.
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