Thinking about becoming a nursing assistant but not sure if the CNA course is right for you? It’s totally normal to feel a little uncertain when stepping into a new career path. The good news is that with some reflection and planning, you can figure out if this is the right move for you. Let’s help you get started.
Take some time to research and listing your interests, strengths, weaknesses, salary expectations, and job prospects. Doing this will give you a clearer sense of whether the nursing assistant course matches your skills, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
However, don’t feel pressured. Today we’ll help you out with each step of the decision-making process. All you just need to be with us till the end.
How To Decide If A Nursing Assistant Course Is Right For You?
You need to think about your own interests to decide if the CNA course will be right for you.
You can start by focusing on your personal thoughts about the CNA career. Like your skills, lifestyle, and goals.
A CNA career is all about patient support, care, and teamwork. More notably, the CNA role can be physically and emotionally demanding.
So, Ask yourself these questions, and finding the answers will offer you great insight for decision-making.
- Do I genuinely care for people?
- Do I really love helping others?
- Am I comfortable with the physical task?
- Do I have the patience and ability to manage emotional challenges?
- What do I like most about the role?
- What do I dislike about the CNA role the most?
- What experiences will I need to succeed in this career thus far?
Answer the questions honestly. It will help you to decide if the CNA career course is good for you or not!
How To Choose The Right Nursing Assistant Program For You?
Let’s come to the next step now. How can you choose the right nursing assistant course for you? The below consideration may help you out.
Reputation and accreditation
You should first choose a reputable training program and an accredited one. This program meets the standard quality.
You should research the reviews of the program. It will offer you important insight into the program.
Moreover, you should also ask for recommendations from the healthcare professionals.
Curriculum and hands-on training
You should choose a program that contains class instructions and also hands-on training.
Go for the CNA training program that ensures a good balance between practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Program duration and schedule
Check out the schedule of the program and duration also to see if it meets your goals. Some courses may last for weeks whereas some for months.
You should also see the flexibility in the schedule. In case you have other responsibilities you can look for part-time, evening, or weekend classes.
Career development opportunities and cost
More importantly, you should go to the course offering career development opportunities. It can markedly enhance your salary and job prospects.
Cost is also an important consideration in this regard. A typical CNA course can cost you $700 to $2000+.
You should choose a course considering your budget and expected earning potential.
What You’ll Learn In a Nursing Assistant Course: Essential Skills
An NA course teaches the students how to care for the patients in different settings like homes, hospitals, and nursing care facilities.
It generally includes coursework and hands-on clinical training. You will learn how to care for patients with common health issues. Like diabetes mellitus, or cognitive impairment.
In the NA courses, here is a general idea of what you will learn,
- Oral and topical medication administrations
- Help the patients bathe
- Oxygen administration
- Take the vital signs of the patients
- Provide special care to aged people
- Provide special care to the infants
- Remove the indwelling and peripheral catheters
- Provide emergency care
- Control infections
- Assist the patients in personal care
An NA course teaches the students how to care for the patients in different settings like homes, hospitals, and nursing care facilities.
It generally includes coursework and hands-on clinical training. You will learn how to care for patients with common health issues. Like diabetes mellitus, or cognitive impairment.
In the NA courses, here is a general idea of what you will learn,
- Oral and topical medication administrations
- Help the patients bathe
- Oxygen administration
- Take the vital signs of the patients
- Provide special care to aged people
- Provide special care to the infants
- Remove the indwelling and peripheral catheters
- Provide emergency care
- Control infections
- Assist the patients in personal care
How Long Does It Take To Complete a Nursing Assistant Course?
You are likely to spend 4 weeks to 16 weeks to become a CNA. However, how long it will take to complete will depend on the course you choose. Your state’s CNA requirements also have an important role in this case.
As for the typical CNA program, it lasts for 120 hours over six weeks. You will spend four weeks in class to learn and two weeks in clinical training.
You will be completely prepared to take the CNA certification exam of your state after the course.
However, every state has different requirements in this matter. So, you better have to check it out.
What’s The Role And Responsibility Of Nursing Assistants?
You will be a certified NA after passing the exam. Now you can get a job in a healthcare setting.
You will have to take on different tasks to support your patient and healthcare team as a CNA.
Let’s look at the roles and responsibilities you may have as a CNA.
- You will have to help the patients to have basic hygiene functions. Like cleaning, washing, bathing, and brushing teeth.
- Additionally, you have to assist them in their daily tasks. For instance, grooming, dressing, or eating.
- Monitor the vitals of the patients. You have to record their blood pressure and heart rate and record your observations.
- If the patient has limited mobility, you have to move and reposition them.
- Administration of medication and minor treatments to the patients.
- You may have to clean and disinfect the rooms and ward to maintain hygienic conditions.
- You have to ensure clinical supplies are always available.
- Clean and dress the wounds. Moreover, you may have to change the bandages.
- You have to document the information and progress of the patients.
- Along with the patients, it’ll be also your duty to assist the doctor and the nurses in their clinical and administrative tasks.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant
The CNA course and then getting a CNA job is a wise professional move. Of course, that’s also more than one good reason to say so!
Below are the main five reasons out of many why you may consider the CNA course.
1. Job flexibility
A CNA job offers you flexibility in work. You can select a shift also. Moreover, you can also choose what type of healthcare setting you want to work in. For instance, you can choose to work in
- A hospital,
- Nursing home, or
- Continuing care retirement communities.
However, you can consider skilled nursing care facilities. That’s because it is the largest employer of CNAs, for about 37%.
Next is the hospital 27% and then care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for about 11%.
2. You can make a difference and serve others.
The CNA job can be an excellent career when you want to make a difference in others’ lives.
The job will allow you to work directly with your patient. You will be able to provide necessary care and support to those who really need it.
3. You can begin your career sooner.
Let’s say you want to have a career in the healthcare sector. But you don’t want years of education procedure. Then a CNA can be a good choice! Here is the reason!
You can complete the nursing assistant course within only 4 weeks to 12 weeks. Just after completing the course, you will be qualified for the CNA certification exam. Pass the exam, get certification and you will start working as a CNA!
4. You get the opportunity to enhance your career
You can also get the opportunity to advance your CNA career through further training and education.
There will be many advanced career paths for you to choose from. For instance-
- Patient Care Technician
- Certified Medication Aide
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Registered Nurse
5. You can experience job contentment
A high level of job satisfaction is another worthwhile reason to become a CNA.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services surveyed this regard and they found the below results.
- 99% of CNAs like caring for others
- 97% of CNAs feel good about what they do
- 69% of CNAs like their job because of flexible work hours and schedule
- 52% of CNAs like to stay in their job as it offers career advancement opportunities
- 50% of CNAs choose the job for the competitive salary
- 51% of CNAs are likely to stay in their job due to the opportunities for overtime in this sector.
Are There Any Challenges You May Face In This Career? [source, source, source]
As you see, the nursing assistant job is quite rewarding. However, you may face some common challenges in this job.
An HHS.gov survey shows that 26% of nursing assistants dislike their jobs due to workload. Moreover, 23% of CNAs report disliking their job due to their supervisors.
So, know the challenges here beforehand to make an informed decision.
Physically Demanding
The certified CNA job can be physically as well as emotionally demanding.
They have to help their patients with personal care, mobility, and daily activities. These tasks can lead to fatigue.
Emotional Stress
Certified CNAs often care for patients who are in pain or whose health is getting worse.
It can be emotionally difficult for the nursing patient to see his patients in that condition. It can affect their mental health and can make them feel tired.
Staffing and Workload Issues
Sometimes the CNAs have to care for many patients. That’s because there may not be enough staff members.
So, this demand to take care of more than a number of patients at a time can impact the quality of care and attention of the CNAs to their patients.
Considering The Job Prospect And Salary Of A Nursing Assistant
The demand for NA has been rapidly growing recently.
According to BLS.gov, the employment of NA is projected to grow by about 4% from 2023 to 2033. Moreover, about 216,200 openings for CNAs are projected each year. So the job prospects for a CNA are very positive.
Further, you can also expect to get a competitive salary as a CNA. You can get around $37,838 a year or $18.19 an hour.
The BLS report also shows that the median annual salary for a nursing assistant was $38,200 with an $18.36 hourly rate in May 2023.
More notably, you can get higher-paying opportunities as you grow your career or experience.
Here is the breakdown of salary ranges for different CNA roles. Check out the range of CNA job options and the salaries you can expect after the CNA course and certification!
CNA Jobs | Salary Range [per year] |
Nurse Aide Evaluator | $106,000- $106,000 |
Care Manager CNA | $38,000- $58,500 |
CNA LTC | $36,000- $55,000 |
Hospital CNA | $41,000- $54,500 |
Nursing Unit Clerk | $37,000- $47,500 |
Nursing Attendant | $41,500- $47,000 |
Geriatric Nursing Assistant | $35,500- $43,500 |
Nursing Technician | $34,000- $43,000 |
Nursing Assistant | $31,500- $41,500 |
STNA | $30,000- $40,000 |
CNA PCT | $33,500- $40,000 |
Resident Assistant CNA | $30,500- $39,000 |
Nursing Secretary | $34,500- $36,000 |
So, Is A Nursing Assistant Course Right For You?
So, what do you think now, is the CNA course worth considering? To be frank, it also depends as with any other thing in life!
A CNA career can be a fulfilling career. You will be able to build a relationship with your patients and support those who really need it. Moreover, you can be the family member of some of them who don’t have one.
A CNA career will give you the opportunity to offer comfortable end-of-life care to others.
However, it’s also true that the CNA job is very physical. Sometimes it can task you to the breaking point and beyond!
Hence, in short, CNA can be a worthwhile career for you in case you genuinely love to help others.
Moreover, you will be able to get a stable job in the healthcare sector. This career path will also offer you many more opportunities for your career advancement.
So, now it’s your call whether it is a good fit or not!
FAQs
Here we have covered some queries mostly asked by career-conscious people about nursing assistants. So, check it out below to know more.
Why is it important for the nursing assistant?
CNAs have the main role and responsibility to provide basic care to patients. It may include helping the patients in bathing, dressing, or feeding. Moreover, CNAs offer emotional support to the patients and ensure their safety.
What is the salary of a nursing assistant in UAE?
You can expect to earn AED 3,500 to AED 6,000 per month as a CNA in UAE. However, the salary for the CNA may vary depending on the industry, your job location, or your profile. In UAE, healthcare offers the highest pay to the CNAs.
What is a good objective for a nursing assistant resume?
Your CNA resume objective should highlight your experience and relevant skills. For instance soft skills like attention to detail, or compassion. You should also mention where you gained your certificate, how many years of experience you have or what’s your goal.
Which country pays nurse assistants the most?
As for the CNAs, Switzerland is the country that pays the most. Next in the row comes Luxembourg, the United States, the Virgin Islands, Denmark, Australia, Israel, and Canada.
What is the highest CNA salary?
You know surprisingly enough the best CNA job can pay you about $106,000 per year. The highest-paying CNA jobs can be registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or medical staff that you can consider.
Final Words
Let’s sum up the whole article. The nursing assistant job can be truly worthwhile only when you are truly passionate about helping and supporting others.
You can really make a difference in other lives. Moreover, you will be offered a secured job with the opportunity to advance your career. The time duration for the course is very short and you start your career earlier than you may think and gain experience.
So, if you think the nursing assistant course goes with your values, passions, and personal goals, then you should obviously go for it!