Career Pathing for CNA's

Career Pathing for Certified Nurse Assistants

Posted by shoaib on March 13th, 2011

Author: Cole Holland Training Center

Obtaining your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification is an important step to becoming a healthcare provider, no matter what work setting you choose. Once you\’ve passed your State of Utah CNA certification exams, your career in healthcare can take off. Becoming a CNA provides you with the knowledge and framework to help you reach your goals.

Employment Options: Hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, skilled facilities, psych wards, assisted living facilities and home health, hospice and personal care agencies require CNA\’s to care for patients – almost all of the work is direct patient care. Hours, benefits, and flexibility vary widely among these options. Typically, pay rates are similar. Before you seek employment as a new CNA, it is important to determine what you want in terms of working hours, environment and your personal scheduling needs.
Hospitals often require a CNA to have at least 6 months experience. Working in a hospital can be very exciting, but it is demanding work and schedules vary widely. Hospital CNA\’s may work in a variety of departments. There are some who are employed in the emergency room, some who may work in a specialized department such as intensive care or progressive care, and some work in departments caring for those whose medical condition is less severe and who have been admitted due to fractures, viral or bacterial infections. Most CNA\’s work with the elderly, but in a hospital a CNA will care for people of all ages.
Nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living facilities tend to require longer hours in a fast-paced environment with little flexibility in scheduling. It can be rewarding to work in long term care as you get to know the patients well over an extended period of time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNA\’s held about 1.4 million jobs in 2006 and fifty-two percent worked in nursing and residential care facilities. Job duties include helping patients with bathing, feeding, dressing, transfer assistance, serving meals, obtaining vital signs, skin care, assisting patients after incontinent episodes and reporting changes in the patient\’s condition to medical staff.

Home Health and Hospice affords you the most flexibility in your schedule. It is perfect if you want to work odd hours, enjoy breaks in your routine, want to work another job, or want to continue your education. Home health and Hospice wages are competitive and include mileage reimbursement; however, it is essential you have a reliable car. Home health and hospice provides autonomy, flexible schedules, an opportunity to work one-on-one with patients, competitive wages and opportunities for further training.

Nursing School or Further Education: Obtaining your CNA certification is a great way to start work in healthcare. Learning the basics and working as an aide exposes you to a wide range of health care options so you can settle on something that appeals to you. Or, you can make a career of being a Certified Nurse Assistant, knowing that what you do makes a huge difference in the lives of others.

About the Author
Terri Holland is the co-owner of Home Caregivers Home Health (www.home-caregivers.com) and Cole Holland Training Center (www.coleholland.com) offering health care training including CNA, EMT, EKG and Medical Assistant classes.