Are you wondering if you should enter a certified nursing assistant training program? If you have a love of people but are not yet sure you want to spend years studying, becoming CNA certified could be the perfect option. Having passed the CNA exams, you will be a skilled member of the patient care team. You will have a qualification that is currently very much in demand and even if you never take another course again you could still earn a nice salary as well as gaining a lot of job satisfaction.
Do you have to attend certified nursing assistant schools?
Some people like to attend certified nursing assistant schools while others will take CNA classes online. It really depends on how much experience you currently have as a nursing assistant, your attitude to learning and whether your employer offers a study program or not. A lot of employers currently work with the Red Cross using their instructors to deliver relevant CNA training programs.
Some people learn best when they have the routine of attending school. They like the integration with other students who are studying the same material and work best in group environment. For others including working moms and people who need to do extra hours to cover bills, they prefer the independence of using online CNA classes. They can study at their own pace and they have sufficient motivation to keep up to date with their certified nursing assistant training.
What are the salaries for certified nursing assistants?
The salaries for certified nursing assistant will depend on where you work i.e. in a hospital, the community or a residential facility, your experience and whether you have passed any other exams in addition to your CNA certification.
If you have experience in a very specialized center in a hospital for example in the ER or a high dependency unit you are likely to earn a higher salary than someone who has only ever worked in a residential care facility. The State you work in will also have an impact on your salary as some States are suffering from a severe shortage of certified nursing assistants and so those who are qualified can command a higher remuneration package.
Where do you find nursing assistant jobs?
If you are interested in becoming CNA certified you can find plenty of nursing assistant jobs. Some will accept you before you do your CNA exam and will even pay for you to attend classes to become certified. Others will only employ those who are already certified nursing assistants. You can find job listings advertised in your local paper, online or by checking directly with the hospitals and residential care facilities in your local area.
Most CNA job descriptions will mention that you need to be comfortable working with sick individuals, have plenty of patience, tact and not be afraid of hard work. The hours are very long and the job can be physically demanding. It is worth speaking to a couple of nursing assistants who already work in the center to find out the highs and lows. Most will probably tell you how rewarding they find working as a certified nursing assistant. Training will help you become qualified but you should already possess the most important skill i.e. a genuine love for working with people.
