What Is A Certified Nursing Assistant and Why Would I Want To Become One?
If you want to step into and develop a career in the healthcare world, one way to do so is by becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Indeed, if you desire to make an impact in society, this might be the right career for you. You can choose to focus on it or use it as a route to other areas you like within the field of medicine.
A CNA provides a wide array of services and can work in different environments. To help you understand what it takes, this article explores all you need to know as a potential candidate.
Read on to learn more about a certified nursing assistant and why you might be interested in becoming one. Enjoy reading!
Who Is A Certified Nursing Assistant?
A certified nursing assistant provides healthcare services to patients to help them go about daily living with less pain and struggles attributable to sicknesses. Their places of work include hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities that provide healthcare services to patients. In most cases, they work under other medical officers, such as registered nurses. While their duties are many, CNAs often help patients do the following:
- Get dressed
- Eat and ensure safety
- Bathe and care for personal hygiene
- Measure vital signs
- Move safely from one place to another
Due to the nature of their work, CNAs are, arguably, the primary caregivers to patients. While their work can sometimes be emotional, depending on the nature of the patients they are attending to, the job is also rewarding in many ways.
You can, therefore, take it up as a job and do it comfortably. All you need is to be, at least, 18 years of age although you can even start at 16 or 17 years in some states. Further, the minimum education is a certificate examination and a few necessary tests to get licensed. With that, you’ll be good to start practicing.
Depending on where you live or would like to practice, you might have to get recertified often to remain a CNA. Thankfully, there are many ways you can use to prepare, so you pass your tests.
One method is to register and do a certified nursing assistant practice test to get a picture of what your actual tests will involve. Most importantly, practice tests will help you deal with anxiety and improve your learning. You can find a free CNA practice test online to hone your knowledge before taking the actual one.
Why Choose To Become A Certified Nursing Assistant?
Interested in becoming a CNA? Here are the reasons that might help you make a decision and consider pursuing a career path in this niche:
It Takes Just A Few Months To Become A CNA
Unlike other careers in the medical field that often take years, becoming a CNA can take just three months. To get your certification, you will be required to attend classes for between 4 to 12 weeks, including some hours of experience. You can choose to acquire more skills later, but all you need to become a CNA is the ability to perform all basic activities well.
The most valuable clinical skills you need include the ability to deliver personal care, control infections, and take vital signs. All these and others, plus the knowledge of patient rights, will make you eligible to work as a CNA.
Note, however, that these requirements can vary from one state to another, but the fact remains that it takes a relatively short time to become a CNA compared to other careers in the healthcare or medical field.
The Cost of Training and Getting Started Is Affordable
Unlike other careers that require you to undergo expensive training, becoming a CNA is affordable. The average cost is about $1,300 with a few additional costs that you can manage. All you need is not a degree, but just certification. Apart from training and certification, you will also incur registration costs. With these, you are ready to start practicing.
If you cannot raise the fees you need for training, there are financial options you can use to facilitate your training. For instance, funded aid programs are available to help people looking to train as CNAs. You can, therefore, use such avenues to mitigate the training costs, so you complete your training and start working without incurring debts.
Demand for CNA Skills Is Growing Every Year
The demand for CNA services has been on an upward trend, and the growth will increase over the coming years by, at least, 9% according to the US labor statistics. Moreover, the demand for CNA services is higher than that for almost all other careers. Such is the case in other parts of the world, and there are no signs of negative change anytime soon.
The market trends for CNA services imply that once you become one, you are almost sure of a job. No matter where you live or would like to practice, you will get a position shortly after completing your training and getting the necessary certification. So, if job security is one of your considerations, then being a CNA is one of the best options.
Great Salary and Employment Growth Options
Labor statistics indicate that CNAs earn good salaries right from entry to senior levels although there might be slight variations for various reasons. Career growth in the field is also one of the smoothest compared to others.
Further, CNAs work with different patients whose conditions change. Such encounters daily mean that what you face daily will be different, so issues of boredom or monotony will never affect you.
Whether you work in your state or city, each day as a CNA will be a new day with unique experiences. Ask anyone in any other profession that is not in the medical field, and you will learn that boredom is a major issue. As a CNA, you will not have such a case. You will enjoy your work provided you have the passion for serving people.
It Is Easy To Transition Into Other Jobs
You can use a CNA position as a stepping stone to other careers in the medical field. With daily interaction with doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, it is easy for you to transition to other career paths within the niche. You can choose a nurse or a doctor to mentor you and facilitate your transition to another career within the field. For instance, you can become a registered nurse, a nursing home administrator, a nurse educator, geriatric care manager or licensed practical nurse, among others.
Even if you opt to be a CNA for the rest of your life, the skills you gain will be helpful in your life in many ways. You will learn how to stay healthy and treat various illnesses. With such knowledge, you can help your family members, friends, and many other people struggling to live healthy lives.
Conclusion
Working as a CNA is one way to join the healthcare industry. It is a beginner-friendly course you can use as your stepping stone to something else. You can also do it full-time for the rest of your life as it is still a rewarding profession worth trying. Further, unlike other jobs, you do not need a degree to become a CNA. You only need training and certification to start working.
This article has explained what a CNA is and why it might be a good option for you to choose if you want to serve in community healthcare or the medical field. Register with a reputable school, undergo your training, do practice tests, and identify the best place that will give you a chance to offer you services and enjoy a rewarding career as a CNA. All the best!
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