By
Lanee’ Blunt
A
certified nursing assistant provide basic care for the elderly, and chronically
sick, by attending to everyday care needs.
Programs require that students have a high school diploma. Some schools
such as community colleges require students to have an official transcript from
their high school sent to them and submit ACT standardized test scores. A
nurse’s aide must earn a post-secondary certificate in which the basic
principles of nursing will be taught. When you complete the program you’ll be
eligible to take the state certification exam. After you take the training you will
be prepared to look for employment in just 4 or 5 weeks.
Types of Employment
Once
you have passed the state examination you will be flexible in the type of
employment you apply for. If you are new without any experience there are still
employers that are looking for CNA’s and will give you on the job training. It
is good to begin applying for jobs so that you can gain experience and begin
working right away.
Where
to Find Employment
Nursing Homes
They
require that you have your high school diploma or GED. They will usually give
you background checks you must have your CNA certification. Some require that
you have at least 1 year experience but not required. You will have to pass an
extensive background check. You must pass a pre-employment drug test. Nursing
homes are a good place to start your career. They assist patients with bedside
care, bathing, eating and grooming. A nursing assistant will also have other
duties such as taking vital signs, blood pressure and temperature.
Hospitals
Most
CNA’s that work in a hospital are full-time employees and are required to work
all shifts, including nights, and weekends. They are paid on an hourly basis between
$8.45 to $16.22 per hour, according to PayScale.com they earn. The average salary is $24,010 a year. It depends on the amount of experience you have on
how much you can earn. The hospital offers benefits such as paid holidays,
medical, sick leave and a vacation. The average range for a certified nursing
assistant is about $10.00 per hour to $12.00. Make phone calls to all of the
hospitals in your local area or check the hospital job board website and turn
in an application to human resources.
Assisted Living Facility
A
certified nursing assistant is responsible for helping tenants with their daily
living needs and without this help they wouldn’t be able to be on their own.
These patients are not chronically ill, but they need help with basic personal
hygiene, bathing, dressing and grooming. You will help them with bladder
requirements, and self-administered medications. Perform household services and
some light cleaning, and grocery shopping and preparing meals. They will need to be transported to and from
medical appointments, religious, recreational and miscellaneous errands. You
will need a valid driver’s license, and good driving record, automobile
insurance, high school diploma, and State Nursing Assistant certificate, pass a
criminal background check, and immunizations up to date.
Home Health Care
You
can apply with a home health agency right when you finish school because it
might take the agency some time to find you a position. You visit a patient’s
home on an everyday or a prearranged scheduled day. Most CNA’s prefer to work
in home health care because of the benefit of having just a few clients a day
in contrast of having the busy and heavy patients to take care of in nursing
homes. This position requires that a
certified nursing assistant assist with personal hygiene including bathing,
toileting, dressing, and grooming. Prepare meals and light housekeeping duties
including laundry. The requirements for the position will include a high school
diploma or GED and completion of a State approved Nurse Aide training program
and a certificate. You must have a valid driver’s license, automobile and
insurance. You must pass a criminal background check be willing to work a
flexible schedule because you will have to work all shifts and weekends.
Reference:
Payscale: Certified Nursing Assistant
