[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”#career”]How Long to Become[hen-ui-icon icon=”mouse-pointer-click” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /][/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text]4-16 weeks[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”#outlook”]Job Outlook[hen-ui-icon icon=”mouse-pointer-click” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /][/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text]8% growth from 2020-2030[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”#salary”]Average Annual Salary[hen-ui-icon icon=”mouse-pointer-click” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /][/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text]$31,000[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you looking for a quick way to enter the healthcare field? A career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) could be for you. CNAs, sometimes called a nursing assistant or nurse aide, are a part of the healthcare team who works under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Requiring only 4-16 weeks, a CNA license is the fastest way to enter the healthcare field. Keep reading for more on CNA responsibilities, education, and salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a CNA Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]CNAs are essential care providers in hospitals, nursing homes, and residential care centers, assisting patients with basic activities, such as moving, eating, dressing, and staying sanitary. They also support nurses and other care providers by taking vital signs, including temperature and blood pressure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”mt-4″]While CNAs do not provide medical care, they must have enough healthcare knowledge to recognize when to call for a nurse or other clinician to assess a situation where the patient’s health might be at risk.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Certified Nursing Assistants Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from July 2022, 96% of CNAs work in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, residential care facilities, or home health care. CNAs do many of the same duties in all of these work settings. These responsibilities include assisting patients with daily tasks, communicating with other members of the healthcare team, checking patients’ vital signs, and following facility and legal procedures about safety.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Nursing and residential care facilities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs mostly care for older adults admitted for longer periods of time and who need help with daily activities. Entry-level CNAs may find more opportunities in these work settings.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Hospitals[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs care for patients of all ages who stay for shorter periods of time and have various conditions, which allows for more opportunities to learn. Experienced CNAs are preferred.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl” align=”center”]Home Health Care[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs work out of patients’ homes and can be asked to perform additional duties outside of their CNA scope of practice, such as cleaning, cooking, and running errands.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Why Become a Certified Nursing Assistant?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The pros of being a CNA make the career a popular choice for people who want to eventually advance their nursing career. However, the cons of being a CNA can be significant.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]How to Become a CNA[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You must complete a training program that includes [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-D/section-483.152″ target=”_blank”]75 hours of training[/hen-ui-link], including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Required subjects in a [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]CNA program[/hen-ui-link] include residents’ rights, personal care skills, basic nursing skills, basic restorative skills, caring for cognitively impaired residents, and mental and social services needs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You must have a high school or GED diploma to enroll in a certified nursing assistant program before you can sit for a state licensure exam. After passing the exam, you receive your CNA license and get added to your state’s registry. Then, you can start applying for positions as a CNA.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Certified Nursing Assistants Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS projects 8% job growth for CNAs between 2020 and 2030. BLS projects 192,800 job openings for CNAs each year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs make an average of $13.97 an hour for a total average annual [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/salary//#increase-pay”]salary[/hen-ui-link] of $30,000, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Nurse_Assistant_(CNA)/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]Payscale data from July 2022[/hen-ui-link]. The lowest 10% of CNAs make $10.73 hourly, while the highest 10% of earners take home $17.98 hourly. Skills, experience level, work setting, and location can affect [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/”]how much money CNAs make[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs with skills, such Microsoft Excel, office administration, medical terminology, typing, and cognitive behavioral therapy, earn higher-than-average salaries, according to Payscale data from July 2022.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs with 10-19 years of experience earn 4% more than average. CNAs with more than 20 years of experience earn about 8% more than average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to BLS data from May 2021, junior colleges, scientific research and development services, and the federal executive branch offer CNAs higher-than-average pay.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Frequently Asked Questions about Certified Nursing Assistants[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is the role of a CNA?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs help the healthcare team carry out the care plan, assist the patient with daily living activities, and report any changes in patient ability or needs to their supervisor.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How long does it take to become a CNA?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNA programs can range from 4-16 weeks, but the process may take longer if you are balancing other commitments. After the CNA program, you can complete the clinical hours and take the exam. The whole process can take six months or more, depending on your state’s requirements.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What’s the difference between a registered nurse and a CNA?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered nurses (RN) and other healthcare professionals work under the authority of their own license. CNAs work under the authority of the license of the RN who supervises them.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Is being a CNA hard?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The heavy workload, long shifts, and physical demands of being a CNA can be hard for some individuals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34041,34398,34042″][/hen-ui-article-row]