NURSING ASSISTANTS, CNAS, AND ORDERLY CAREERS
CNAs, or certified nursing assistants, fall under the employment category of nursing aides. Under the supervision of nursing and medical staff, they handle many aspects of patient care within a hospital or care center, taking a hands-on role with patients. Tasks vary but often include feeding, bathing, dressing, and answering calls for help. CNAs also make beds and straighten up rooms occupied by patients. Some take patient vital signs and assist medical staff with setting up equipment. CNAs who work in nursing care facilities often serve as the principal caregivers, having the most contact with residents.
CNA Career Assessment
Take our CNA career assessment. This 30 question quiz let’s you know if you’re cut out for a career as a certified nursing assistant by analyzing your abilities, skills, and interests.
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT (CNA) CAREER SNAPSHOT
Certified nursing assistants are typically dependable, friendly, and motivated by a strong desire to help others. They are honest, patient, and in control of their emotions – a particularly necessary attribute when dealing with patients who are not feeling well or concerned family members. CNAs should be physically able to move patients easily and be able to work long hours.
Here are further details on a career as a CNA (statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average earnings for nursing assistants per year.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a high school diploma or equivalent.
CNA Education
In order to qualify for CNA training, you will need a high school diploma or the equivalent. Training courses typically include about 120 hours of classroom and practical work, where you will learn about patient care, legal issues, rights and responsibilities, use of basic medical equipment, as well as CPR and other emergency procedures.
CNA Job Outlook
With a rapidly aging population, the need for certified nursing assistants is increasing, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the CNA field to grow faster than the average for other industries over the next decade. Job prospects are good, as those in the profession often move on after several years to seek training for more advanced medical careers.
CNA Salary
The average salary of nursing assistants and orderlies was $25,710 in May 2015. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,390, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $36,890.
CNA Job Duties
CNAs are typically responsible for the general care of their patients. While their duties will vary depending on the workplace (in a hospital, extended care or home setting) and on the specific needs of the patient, they may take and record vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure; assist them to and from their bed or chair as needed; and help them with feeding and personal hygiene. CNAs may also assist doctors or nurses during medical procedures.
CNA Career
Becoming a certified nursing assistant requires special skills as shown in the table below.
CNA Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by CNAs: | Typical Work Activities: |
---|---|---|---|
•Service Orientation •Active Listening •Social Perceptiveness •Critical Thinking •Speaking •Monitoring •Complex Problem Solving | •Oral Comprehension •Problem Sensitivity •Information Ordering •Speech Clarity •Near Vision •Oral Expression •Speech Recognition •Deductive Reasoning | •Blood Pressure Cuff Kits •Lower Extremity Prosthetic Devices •Shower or Bath Chairs for the Physically Challenged •Wheelchairs | •Assisting and Caring for Others •Getting Information •Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates |
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