What Is a CNA? Certified Nursing Assistant Explored

The healthcare field is at a crossroads. As the population ages, the needs of patients are becoming more complex. Healthcare costs continue to rise, making it challenging for many patients to access the high-quality, personalized care they need. At the same time, the ongoing nursing shortage only exacerbates these challenges.

Certified nursing assistants (CNA) play a pivotal part in the modern healthcare landscape, helping to fill gaps that exist within the healthcare system and ensuring patients receive the personal care and attention they deserve. Explore the role and scope of this position and decide if becoming a CNA could be the right career path for you.

What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, is a healthcare professional who assists nurses by providing patients with basic bedside care while offering the comfort needed while receiving treatment. This patient-facing position is ideal for anyone who wants to have an impact on the quality of the patient experience and connect on a more personal level.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CNAs have a significant impact on the patient experience, particularly because they often work with some of the most vulnerable patients in the healthcare system. It is largely regarded as a rewarding and fulfilling healthcare career pathway.

What Does a CNA Do?

 A CNA position is an entry-level position in the nursing field, and the job responsibilities may vary based on the care facility where an individual works. According to Indeed, some of the most common job duties  of CNAs are:

• Bathing and dressing patients.
• Regularly taking and recording vital signs.
• Providing patients with basic care and hygiene, such as brushing their hair or teeth.
• Repositioning patients and making sure that they are comfortable in their beds.
• Feeding patients and monitoring their intake throughout the day.
• Dressing and caring for wounds.
• Assisting nurses and other healthcare professionals during routine medical procedures.

Aside from providing basic patient care, CNAs may have administrative responsibilities as well. For example, depending on the care facility where they work, CNAs may need to help answer phones, respond to emails, inventory medical supplies and clean patient rooms.

Where Do CNAs Work?

Due to the heightened demand for skilled and qualified healthcare professionals, CNAs are able to find employment in a wide range of care facilities. CNAs may work at:

• Hospitals – Considered the most common workplace setting for CNAs, hospitals employ CNAs to help ensure that the needs of all patients are met while they are cared for in the facility. In most cases, CNAs will find they need to have some professional experience at another facility before they can become qualified for a CNA position at a hospital.
• Nursing homes and assisted living centers – Due to the extensive needs of patients at nursing homes and assisted living centers, CNAs are in high demand. At these care facilities, CNAs may provide patients with basic care — such as bathing, dressing and repositioning in their beds.
• Home healthcare facilities – Home healthcare agencies may employ CNAs to travel to patients’ homes and assist with basic in-home care. Home healthcare CNAs are often able to help patients continue living independently, in turn helping to elevate their overall quality of life substantially.

CNA Career Outlook

The overall career outlook for CNAs is positive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noting that the field is expected to grow  approximately 4% between 2023 and 2033.* The BLS anticipates about 216,000 job openings for CNAs each year within this same timeframe.

*Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

How to Become a CNA?

The certified nursing assistant position is an entry-level healthcare role, with ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Knowing the steps to take to become a CNA can help you invest in the right educational program for your career goals.

Education Requirement

According to the BLS, an individual must complete a state-approved education program in order to become a CNA. This program may be offered at local hospitals, community colleges or vocational schools, and it will typically last between eight and 12 weeks. It is a skills-based program that equips students with the technical and practical skills required to provide basic patient care across a variety of care facilities.

In addition to completing this state-approved education program, aspiring CNAs also need to pass the competency exam in the state in which they intend to practice.

Certification – The ‘C’ in CNA

The requirements to practice as a nursing assistant may vary from one state to the next. In most cases, nursing assistants need to become certified to become licensed to practice as a CNA. According to the American Red Cross, those who complete the state-approved education program can schedule a time to take the certification exam offered through their individual state.

The certification exam may vary based on the state, but in general, it includes key components like hands-on skill development evaluation and a written exam. When you pass the certification exam, you can then be added to your state’s nurse aide registry and begin pursuing open CNA positions.

Continuing Education

Depending on the state where you live and work, you may need to complete ongoing continuing education to maintain your certification. Even if it is not required, you may find that continuing education, ongoing training and professional development allow you to grow your skills as a CNA. These programs can introduce you to new technology, enable you to develop advanced skills or give you an opportunity to explore emerging trends shaping the evolving healthcare field.

Similar Jobs

The CNA position is an excellent option for anyone seeking accelerated entry into the healthcare field and wanting to work directly with patients. However, other similar entry-level jobs in the nursing profession are worth considering. By exploring these roles, you can determine which nursing position best aligns with your personal strengths, current skill set and professional goals.

Below are some nursing positions similar to the CNA position:

Medical Assistant vs. CNA

Medical assistants play a valuable role in today’s healthcare industry, particularly at a time when healthcare staffing levels are decreasing and patient volumes are increasing. According to WebMD, medical assistants are responsible for both administrative and clinical tasks, with their primary goal to increase operational efficiency within care facilities.

Medical assistants, commonly referred to as MAs, have a role that is similar in scope to certified nursing assistants. When comparing CNA vs. MA positions, there are a few things to note:

• Both CNAs and MAs provide patients with basic care, such as monitoring vital signs or recording patient symptoms.
• MAs may focus more on administrative tasks, such as updating patient records and scheduling office appointments, whereas CNAs primarily work directly with patients to ensure their basic needs are met.
• CNAs can complete an education program within about three months before   pursuing work in the field, whereas MAs need to complete an education program that can take up to a year.

LPN vs. CNA

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are nurses who provide patients with basic care in clinical settings. According to Cleveland Clinic, LPNs are required to work under the supervision of a registered nurse, and they are primarily responsible for performing basic bedside care and other medical tasks — such as taking a patient’s blood pressure or monitoring additional vital signs.

The LPN position is an entry-level nursing role, similar to a CNA. However, LPNs are often able to perform more complex tasks than CNAs, and they may be able to work more closely with patients as well as their families. In some cases, LPNs are the direct point of contact between a patient and their caregivers, serving as a bridge between the care team and the patient.

The educational requirements for the LPN position are more extensive than those of a CNA. To become an LPN, interested individuals need to complete an accredited practical nursing program. These educational programs are typically available at vocational schools, technical colleges or community colleges. The program takes most students about two years to complete.

CNA vs. RN

While the CNA position provides an accelerated pathway into the healthcare field, additional education may help you qualify for entry-level nursing positions that increase the scope of your practice. Registered nurses (RNs) are licensed medical professionals who provide patients with direct, personalized care.

According to the American Nurses Association, RNs serve as the backbone of the healthcare system, primarily responsible for:

• Examining patients, evaluating their symptoms and performing triage.
• Educating patients and providing them with access to the health information they need.
• Providing patients with direct, hands-on medical care.
• Collaborating with other members of the healthcare team to ensure patients receive the personalized care they need and deserve.

To become an RN, you must complete an undergraduate nursing degree, such as an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). In addition, you have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and complete all licensure requirements in the state where you intend to practice.

Other Similar Roles

Other roles within the healthcare field that are similar in scope and practice to a CNA position:

• Dental assistants
• Home health aids
• Veterinary assistants
• Occupational therapy and physical therapy assistants

Start Your Nursing Journey Today!

The need for qualified, skilled and passionate nurses has never been greater, and at Bryant & Stratton College, we offer a range of nursing degree programs to help you develop the skills required for this vital field. If the entry-level position of a CNA is where you want to start your career, we do offer non-degree Nurse Aide education programs in both Virginia and Wisconsin.

For the quickest entry into nursing, check out our Practical Nursing Diploma, which helps prepare you for the required certification exam and a role as a licensed practical/vocation nurse (LPN/LVN). Our Associate Degree in Nursing program is designed to equip students with the practical competencies needed to pursue a role as a registered nurse (RN) as quickly as possible, by passing the NCLEX-RN. We also offer an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree that is available in New York campus. For even more career preparation, Bryant & Stratton College offers bachelor’s-level nursing degrees: in Ohio & Wisconsin, New York, and an online RN to BSN program.

Request more information about our nursing degree programs today and learn more about what it takes to become a nursing assistant.