How to Become a CNA:
The Definitive Guide

CNA Job Description

A certified nurse assistant works under a registered nurse or doctor, in order to make sure that the patients receive the care that they need.

As a CNA, you will work directly with patients to help them with everyday needs.

This can include things like helping them get dressed, going to the bathroom, giving them medications, possibly even helping them eat if they are unable to do so.

The job can be demanding, and it takes a special person with patience and empathy, but it is worth it in the end.

Duties

Salary

The salary for a certified nurse assistant is typically around $31,000 a year.

It’s possible to make more, depending on how much education you’ve had, the certifications you have received, and how many years you’ve worked in the field.

It’s possible to make upwards of $36,000 a year, but this usually happens after you’ve worked as a certified nurse assistant for a few years.

This job can help you get your foot into the medical door, the more experience you have, the more job opportunities will be created for you.

The more certifications and specializations you acquire, the likelier it’ll be to make more money.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

How to Become a Certified Nurse Assistant

Step 1Complete a Program

Training programs are different depending on which state that you live in.

You will need to check local regulations before applying for a program.

If you’ve already done that, great!

Let’s talk about what else you can do to get your foot in the door.

You can find training programs from the American Red Cross or even the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Other places you may be able to find programs are at your local community college, trade schools, and even online.

These programs can last between six and twelve weeks, depending on where you go.

You won’t need a college degree to start this program, only a GED or high school diploma.

Most states require you to be 18 years old before you can attend one of these programs.

There are a few states that will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to attend the program.

Most programs will allow you 75 hours of classroom education.

There will also be clinical classes where you will learn hands-on skills.

Step 2Pass Licensure Exam

After you pass the program, you are going to want to take the licensure exam.

There are many things to take into consideration when looking for where to take the exam.

Each state has different laws about what is necessary.

Some of the things that you’ll want to look out for are how many classroom hours you’ve acquired, and how much clinical time you’ve done.

The exams can vary on the number of questions there are, as well as how long it will take to finish.

One of the things that you’ll want to keep in mind is that you will likely be able to work for about four months without getting a certification, but that doesn’t mean you can do it forever.

Most employers will allow this, but many will not hire without licensing or the promise of licensure.

Step 3Start Working

Once you’ve passed your exam, you’re going to want to apply, apply, apply to jobs.

It’s important to remember that you will only be able to practice under registered nurses, so you won’t be able to become an independent or freelance nurse assistant.

Depending on your preference of where you want to work, you can apply for jobs at hospitals, outpatient care centers, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, the list goes on.

Although being a certified nurse assistant is a rewarding job, it can be difficult as well.

If you want to look into becoming a registered nurse, or another career, then it’s important to keep in mind that this job as a CNA will get your foot in the door.

Go Back to School

Now that you’ve got your foot in the door, it’s time to go back to school.

Of course, this isn’t necessary, but it will help you to advance in your career.

Whether you want to become certified in another area, or you want to work within a specialized field, going back to school will help your career no matter what.

If this is something that you’re interested in, you’ll want to check out your state’s requirements to see what you are able to do.

Many students go back to school to become a registered nurse, or to brush up on their skills.

Whatever you want to do is up to you!

Education

As long as you have your high school diploma or a GED, the program to become a certified nurse assistant won’t take you very long.

Typically, you’ll need to complete a 6-12 week program.

You can do this at a community college or medical facility.

You may also find a program through the American Red Cross.

Check around in your area to find where you can participate in a program.

While taking classes to become a certified nurse assistant, you’ll learn things like:

• Infection control
• Nutrition
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Basic nursing skills
• Adult CPR
• Range of motion exercises
• Legal and ethical aspects of health care
• Caring for people with dementia and other conditions
• How to take vital signs

In a certified nursing assistant program, you will also have lots of hands-on experience.

Most training programs are two parts, first the classroom and lab, then onto clinics where you can try out your skills on real people.

As long as you have completed the classroom portion of the program, then you can move on to clinical.

During clinical training, you will work directly with residents in a specific facility.

This could be a nursing home, a hospital, or somewhere else that your program has designated.

This will give you much-needed hands-on experience.

During clinical, you will be supervised by a licensed nurse, so you won’t be all by yourself.

Through your clinical, you will experience what it’s like to work as a certified nurse assistant on a day to day basis.

Federal law requires that you must complete this training, as well as passing a state competency exam and be placed on a state Nurse Aide Registry.

So, in order to get a job as a certified nurse assistant, you must pass a program as well as the exam.

Video About The Career

Licensing

After you have completed your certified nurse assistant program, you are going to want to become certified.

You will not be able to work in the United States without a certification.

The variations on the laws and the exams vary from state to state, so you will certainly want to contact your in-state licensure committee.

If you want to become licensed in your state, you’ll need to pass a state-issues competency exam.

There will be a multiple-choice portion of the exam, but in most cases, you’ll typically have to demonstrate what you have learned in the classroom and through experience.

In order to stay licensed as a certified nurse assistant, you will have to complete 48 hours of continued education every two years.

Some of the things that you can expect on the test include:

Roleplay or scenarios in which you will have to explain what you are doing as you do it, why you are doing it, and how it helps the patient.

You’ll be evaluated based on the demonstration you give to explain what you learned in the program that you took.

Then you can expect to take a written test.

The test can vary from state to state, and even program to program.

Typically, the test consists of multiple-choice questions, which can take around two hours to complete.

There are many online practice tests to take if you are worried about what will be on your exam.

Some websites will give you hundreds of questions so that you can make sure you know every aspect of the field.

Taking practice tests can also help you to retain information so that you can pass the real exam.

Once you have passed the test, you are eligible to become a certified nurse assistant!

Congratulations!

Now the real fun begins.

Certification Example:

Average Training Program Duration: 0-6 Months

Popular Programs

Job Outlook

The job outlook for a certified nurse assistant looks great.

Compared to other careers in the same field, a certified nurse assistant has a much higher job outlook.

There has been a growing demand for services like those in a long care facility.

Baby boomers are growing older, which means that they are going to need people to take care of them.

Certified nurse assistants can administer medications, help with meals and bedtime, which will allow the older generation to worry less about the little things.

One of the issues with this career is that there isn’t much upward mobility, if you want to do something else, you’ll need to either go back to school or find other certifications and specialties.

Employment Growth Projection: 8%

That's a higher than average projected growth of 115,300 jobs.

Certified Nurse Assistant: Interest Over Time

Should You Become a Certified Nurse Assistant?

Overall Satisfaction: High

This job is not for everyone.

Those that can handle high-stress situations will do well within this career.

Those that get stressed out quickly or have a hard time taking criticism will not find this job to their satisfaction.

There is little flexibility with scheduling and work hours for this career.

It’s also a career that doesn’t allow for much upward mobility unless education and certifications are acquired.

Certified nurse assistants that work in hospitals find it more stressful than CNA’s who work in smaller offices.

Average Salary: Low

As of 2019 in the United States, the average salary for a certified nurse assistant is $31,000 a year.

Typically, you can expect a range from $28,000 a year to almost $36,000 a year within this career.

Some important factors can make a difference in the range of salary for certified nurse assistants.

For example, those that have higher education, whether that’s through a university or trade school, certifications, and experience in the field will have a higher salary than those just starting out.

Job Growth Outlook: Medium

Within the next ten years, the career of a certified nurse assistant is looking to grow around nine percent.

This is faster than other similar occupations.

As the baby boom generation grows older, there will need to be more certified nurse assistants to take care of them.

Certified nurse assistants can work in hospitals, retirement communities, doctor’s offices, and residential care facilities.

Due to the variety of places to work, this job outlook is great compared to many in the same field.

Education Duration: 0-6 Months

The time it takes you to go through a program really depends on where you start your program.

Some programs can take as little as two weeks, while others can take up to 16.

Depending on how much knowledge you have about this career, you may want to opt for the longer program.

You want to make sure that you have obtained as much information as you possibly can.

Remember, just because the program only takes two weeks, you still have to take an exam at the end and pass it.

Personal Skills Needed

One of the important things to remember about being a certified nurse assistant is that you will be in direct contact with patients for the majority of your day.

It can be exhausting, but there are some skills that you will need to have in order to work as a certified nurse assistant.

These include:

• Communication Skills
• Compassion
• Patience
• Attention to detail
• Physical and emotional strength
• Time management and organizational skills
• Respectful bedside manner.
• Basic medical knowledge
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution

Certified Nurse Assistant Information by State

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