Find Nursing Assistant Job Opportunites

Are you interested in a nursing-related career? Explore what you need to do in order to become a nursing assistant.

When you are seeking a new career you have a lot of potential options. Not all of them are right for you. It is important to choose a field that suits your strengths and preferences. You may also want a career that offers flexibility or job advancement potential. Another important factor is time. A field you can get into quickly is essential when you need an income soon. You may not have the time or money to spend on years of training right away. If any or all of those statements apply to you, a career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a good option to explore.

When you become a nursing assistant it also provides an opportunity to help people. There are few fields more rewarding than the medical field. When you are able to help patients on a daily basis it may provide you with a sense of pride and accomplishment. However, before you settle on a career as a nursing assistant you must understand the job requirements, pros, and cons.

What is a Nursing Assistant?

A nursing assistant is not the same as a registered nurse (RN). An RN has several actual medical responsibilities, such as dispensing medications. A nursing assistant provides daily supportive care for patients. That supportive care may include, but is not limited to providing assistance with:

• Toileting
• Bathing
• Brushing Teeth
• Brushing Hair
• Dressing
• Eating

A nursing assistant is also typically tasked with getting to know each patient and reporting patient condition changes to nurses or other medical staff. Since a nursing assistant sees a patient regularly, he or she can identify subtle changes. For example, he or she may notice quickly when a patient's appetite changes or a medical condition develops, such as a bed sore.

How do Nurses Aides, Orderlies, and Nursing Assistants Differ?

If you are interested in becoming a nursing assistant, you may notice the terms “orderly” and “nurses aide” used as well. A nurses aide and a nursing assistant are often considered the same. However, certain U.S. states use one term instead of or more than the other.

An orderly is not exactly the same as a CNA. As an orderly, you may have to prepare patients for surgery or other procedures by shaving them, moving them from one room or department to another, or otherwise assisting doctors. Orderlies are also responsible for cleaning patient rooms and other spaces in medical facilities. You need proper certification to become a CNA, but you do not need special courses to become an orderly, other than a CPR certification. Certain CNA positions you obtain may require you to perform regular CNA tasks, as well as tasks usually meant for an orderly.

How Much Can You Make as a Nursing Assistant?

The average pay for a certified nursing assistant in 2020 in the United States was $14.82 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2021, the average pay is $16.08. However, according to the popular career information website Indeed, specialization and location matter. For example, getting an extra certification in nuclear medicine may increase your pay by up to approximately 90 percent. When examining your potential pay, you also need to consider certain perks of a CNA position, such as:

• Paid Sick Leave
• Paid Vacations
• Overtime Pay
• Medical and Dental Insurance Plans

Not every CNA position offers the same perks. Some offer less. Others offer more. For example a position requiring you to work as a CNA in multiple locations may provide you with mileage reimbursement. Make sure you understand the full scope of the benefits provided when applying for a specific CNA position.

Requirements for Becoming a Nursing Assistant

There are federal requirements governing nursing assistants that you must meet to be a CNA. For example, each state keeps a registry of CNAs. Those registries also contain constantly updated lists of complaints or legal offenses associated with each registrant. Although you can still work as a CNA if you have certain minor offenses, offenses for activities like drug use may stay on your record for 10 years, or more in some states. Such offenses could hinder your ability to obtain new CNA positions.

Federal mandates also require every CNA to complete classroom and practical training under the supervision of trained nurses. The exact amount of training you need varies in each state. It is typically either 75 or 120 hours. However, some states require even more in-depth training. After your training is complete, you must pass a nursing assistance exam to receive your certification.

Where to Take a CNA Course

There are many places where you can take a CNA course. Your local hospital may offer a CNA course. You can also check local colleges, as well as trade schools. The National League for Nursing Accredited Commission (NLNAC) and your state nursing board must approve of the course you take for your certification to become official.

Online study is also an option. In fact, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic opportunities for online CNA study have increased. However, you can only complete certain aspects of a CNA course online. Practical skills, such as taking a patient's vitals, require you to practice and test in person at a local facility.

The length of a CNA course depends on your state. In a state with lower hourly requirements, you may finish a course in as little as four weeks. If your state requires the maximum amount of training, expect to spend 12 weeks or a little longer getting your certification. You may also choose to augment your CNA certification with other certifications relating to nursing. If so, completing those certifications takes longer, but you can often do so while already working as a CNA.

Choosing a CNA Position

After you receive CNA certification, you must find a paid position as a CNA. If you take a CNA course at a hospital, the hospital may offer you a position. If you obtain your certification from a nursing college, resources there may also provide you with job opportunities. Alternatively, you can look for a position independently. Check local nursing homes, Veterans Administration locations, and hospitals. Online job listing websites also consistently list many CNA job opportunities.