Tags

Recent Posts

• Great Hospital Jobs for CNAs
• Getting a Job as a CNA
• How Do I Train to Become a CNA?
• CNAs and Oncology: A Rewarding Career Option
• How to Pass the CNA Certifying Exam

Getting a Job as a CNA

Numerous job opportunities are available for certified nursing assistants. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that there will be 50% more CNA jobs by 2018 compared to 2008, far better than most professions. This reflects the increasing number of elderly Americans and the preference of both patients and healthcare personnel for lower cost, more personalized at-home treatment, rather than being in a hospital or nursing home. This means that increasingly more certified nursing assistants will be needed. In addition, the relatively low training requirements and its position as an entry level job mean that people interested in working as a CNA should have plenty of job opportunities.

Pay for Certified Nursing Assistants

Nursing assistants earn varying incomes depending on their employer. Assistants working in hospitals earn an average of $11.46, with more for CNAs working in hospitals and less for those working at home or in nursing and other less-intensive treatment. However, while jobs in hospitals pay more, they often require more nurse training and are higher stress. By comparison, in-home treatment of patients is frequently not as lucrative but easier to get, offers more control of the work environment, and is less physically taxing.

Working as a CNA in a Hospital

Assistants working in hospitals can have a variety of experiences depending on their position within the hospital. Some CNAs may handle admitting patients and must record their problems, take vital signs, and go through their medical history to help doctors figure out the issue and the best treatment option. Other assistants may work in the emergency room or other hospital areas to monitor patients’ vital signs, answer any requests, cleaning rooms, and escorting patients. This can be incredibly difficult, stressful work but compensation is typically much better and nursing assistants working in emergency rooms help save lives.

In-Home or Resident Care: A Growing Field for CNAs

A CNA might work for patients in their homes or other outpatient residential settings. They might work either for a healthcare agency or directly for the patient and their family though the patient and their family almost always choose the nursing assistant, regardless of who is paying. The assistant usually helps patients bathe, eat, and escort them both around the house and to various activities, as well as cleaning up around the house. Depending on the patient’s needs, a nursing assistant may be there all day or may have multiple patients to take care of. This can be comfortable and rewarding long-term work if the patient and CNA get along.

Other Opportunities for a CNA

A CNA might work for a nursing assistant employment agency which hires and trains assistants for nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and in-home opportunities. This may make it easier to find a job and potentially offer more reliability but the conditions may not be as nice as with some positions. Nursing homes, senior centers and outpatient facilities may also directly hire nursing assistants. Either way, it is an opportunity to put CNA training to use helping patients.

No related posts.