Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are the backbone of healthcare, they provide support to patients and other members of the healthcare team. CNA jobs are important in all kinds of healthcare settings, like hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities, where they make sure patients get the best care possible.
If you’re thinking about a job as a CNA, you need to understand the job description, responsibilities, and pay. Let’s take a look at these, and answer some other questions along the way.
Table of Contents
First, What is a CNA Job?
CNA jobs involve providing direct care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses (RN) and other healthcare professionals.
The role usually involves helping patients with daily activities like eating, bathing, and dressing. CNAs play an important role in patient comfort and care and are often the first point of contact for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care settings.
To be a CNA, you have to complete a state-approved training program, which includes classroom and clinical experience. Some healthcare facilities will offer a CNA program to new hires, so you can learn best practices while getting to know your patients.
Once you complete the class, you’ll have to take an exam to get your certification. A CNA job is ideal for anyone who wants to help others and not be bored all day. CNA jobs are fast-paced, so you have to be comfortable in that type of environment.
What Are the Job Responsibilities of a CNA?
The responsibilities of a CNA can change depending on what type of facility you work for. Here is a general description:
- Assisting with Daily Living Activities: CNAs help patients with basic needs such as eating, bathing, dressing, and using the restroom.
- Taking Vital Signs: CNAs monitor patients’ health by taking vital signs like temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rate.
- Helping with Mobility: CNAs assist patients in moving, whether it’s helping them get out of bed, walk, or use a wheelchair.
- Supporting Nurses and Healthcare Teams: CNAs provide valuable assistance to nursing staff by ensuring that patients are comfortable and have their needs met.
- Providing Emotional Support: CNAs offer emotional care and companionship to patients, which is especially important in settings like nursing homes and hospice care.
- Reporting Changes in Patient Condition: CNAs are often the first to notice changes in a patient’s condition and must report these changes to the nursing staff.
- Maintaining a Safe and Clean Environment: CNAs help maintain a clean, safe environment by ensuring that patient rooms are tidy and that equipment is sanitized.
Different Roles for CNAs in Healthcare
Here are the main roles CNAs work in:
- Hospital CNAs: In hospitals, CNAs provide bedside care to patients, assist with personal hygiene, and help patients move and eat. They work closely with nurses to ensure that patients receive the proper care and attention during their stay.
- Nursing Home CNAs: CNAs in nursing homes help elderly residents with daily activities and offer emotional support. They play an important role in helping seniors keep their dignity and independence.
- Home Health Aide CNAs: For patients who need care at home, home health aide CNAs provide support with daily living tasks, help with medication reminders, and assist with mobility. This role allows CNAs to work one-on-one with patients in the comfort of their homes.
- Hospice CNAs: In hospice care, CNAs provide comfort and dignity to terminally ill patients. They assist with personal care and offer emotional support to patients and their families during a difficult time.
- Assisted Living Facility CNAs: CNAs in assisted living facilities help residents with less intensive care needs than in nursing homes. They support residents with daily tasks and help them maintain their independence.
- Outpatient Clinic CNAs: In outpatient clinics, CNAs assist healthcare providers by preparing patients for exams, taking vital signs, and assisting with minor medical procedures. They ensure that patients are comfortable and ready for their appointments.
- Travel CNAs: A Travel CNA takes on short-term assignments in different healthcare facilities across the United States. These CNAs usually work through staffing agencies and are placed in hospitals, nursing homes, or other care settings that have temporary staffing needs.
- PRN CNAs: Like Travel CNAs, PRN CNAs go to different healthcare facilities that are experiencing a staffing shortage. The biggest difference between PRN and Travel CNAs is the word “Travel.” PRN CNAs usually stay close to home.
Is a CNA a Good Job?
The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for in a career. In general, being a CNA is a great job. Here are some pros and cons of being a CNA, so you can make the decision for yourself:
Pros of Being a CNA
- Job stability: CNAs are in high demand, and their demand is expected to increase over the next few years. This makes CNA jobs a great choice if you’re looking for stability.
- Personal fulfillment: CNAs get to make a real difference in patients’ lives by providing compassionate care and support.
- Flexible Work Hours: CNAs are needed around the clock, so it can be a lot easier to find a job that fits your schedule. Especially if you work for a staffing agency.
Cons of Being a CNA
- Physically demanding: CNA jobs can be really physical since they involve long hours on your feet, helping patients stand, and performing other tasks that require strength.
- Emotional challenges: CNAs usually work with patients who are elderly, ill, or nearing the end of their life. This can be really difficult for some people to let go of, so make sure you take that into consideration before you make being a CNA your career.
At the end of the day, if you’re passionate about helping people and want to work in healthcare, a CNA job is a great choice.
How Much do CNAs Make?
CNA pay varies depending on things like location, experience, and the healthcare setting. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
- Average CNA Salary Nationwide
The national average salary for a CNA is around $30,000 per year. However, this can vary based on where you work and your level of experience. - Salary by Healthcare Setting
- Hospitals: CNAs working in hospitals generally earn higher wages than those in other settings due to the more intensive care required.
- Nursing Homes: CNAs in nursing homes typically earn slightly less but benefit from stable hours and close relationships with residents.
- Home Health: Home health CNAs often earn competitive wages, especially if they work in specialized areas like hospice or long-term care.
- Staffing Agencies: Healthcare staffing agencies pay CNAs more than facilities. This is mainly because PRN CNAs fill in last-minute shifts, and in some cases have a higher workload.
- What Affects CNA Pay?
Location, experience, and extra certifications can influence how much a CNA earns. For example, CNAs in urban areas or regions with a high demand for healthcare workers may earn higher wages. - Opportunities for Pay Growth
CNAs who gain additional certifications or pursue further education in nursing can expect higher pay and more advanced career opportunities. Some CNAs will also work on a per diem basis, so they can make more money than staff nurses.
CNA Pay by State
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $34,711 | $16.69 |
| Alaska | $39,012 | $18.76 |
| Arizona | $41,074 | $19.75 |
| Arkansas | $30,627 | $14.72 |
| California | $37,267 | $17.92 |
| Colorado | $35,059 | $16.86 |
| Connecticut | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Delaware | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Florida | $34,673 | $16.67 |
| Georgia | $40,377 | $19.41 |
| Hawaii | $39,845 | $19.16 |
| Idaho | $32,076 | $15.42 |
| Illinois | $36,429 | $17.51 |
| Indiana | $41,088 | $19.75 |
| Iowa | $38,672 | $18.59 |
| Kansas | $33,901 | $16.30 |
| Kentucky | $31,176 | $14.99 |
| Louisiana | $33,589 | $16.15 |
| Maine | $34,114 | $16.40 |
| Maryland | $35,644 | $17.14 |
| Massachusetts | $41,130 | $19.77 |
| Michigan | $33,535 | $16.12 |
| Minnesota | $40,285 | $19.37 |
| Mississippi | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Missouri | $33,298 | $16.01 |
| Montana | $39,406 | $18.95 |
| Nebraska | $32,320 | $15.54 |
| Nevada | $41,247 | $19.83 |
| New Hampshire | $33,249 | $15.99 |
| New Jersey | $42,163 | $20.27 |
| New Mexico | $37,912 | $18.23 |
| New York | $39,886 | $19.18 |
| North Carolina | $30,869 | $14.84 |
| North Dakota | $38,034 | $18.29 |
| Ohio | $37,544 | $18.05 |
| Oklahoma | $33,888 | $16.29 |
| Oregon | $40,399 | $19.42 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,377 | $16.05 |
| Rhode Island | $38,159 | $18.35 |
| South Carolina | $33,809 | $16.25 |
| South Dakota | $38,063 | $18.30 |
| Tennessee | $36,748 | $17.67 |
| Texas | $33,051 | $15.89 |
| Utah | $36,607 | $17.60 |
| Vermont | $35,644 | $17.14 |
| Virginia | $35,668 | $17.15 |
| Washington | $39,922 | $19.19 |
| West Virginia | $28,758 | $13.83 |
| Wisconsin | $41,847 | $20.12 |
| Wyoming | $41,682 | $20.04 |
Source: ZipRecruiter
Career Growth for CNAs
CNA jobs offer a lot of opportunities for career advancement. A lot of CNAs choose to go back to school to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Registered Nurses (RNs).
CNAs can also become supervisors, or take on completely different roles within a healthcare facility.
Benefits of Becoming a CNA
Besides a steady paycheck, CNA jobs come with a lot of benefits. Some of the biggest benefits are the job stability from the growing demand for qualified CNAs.
Since they are in such high demand, CNAs that work for a CNA agency like Cascade Health Services, get to manage their own schedules. This helps CNAs who have busy personal lives have a better work-life balance. It also helps that PRN employees make more money than staff nurses.
Besides stability and flexibility, CNAs have the chance to make a difference in someone’s life. Since they care for people who are usually vulnerable or in poor health–they are the first people able to offer emotional and physical support.
Ready for Your First CNA Job?
CNAs are important to a healthy healthcare system, they provide vital care and support to patients across different settings. Whether you’re looking for a stable career, a job that offers flexibility, or a fulfilling role in patient care, becoming a CNA is a great choice. As a nursing assistant, you’ll get competitive pay, opportunities for growth, and the chance to make a difference.
If you are looking for a CNA job near you, Check out what CNA jobs Cascade Health Services has to offer.
