By
Lanee’ Blunt
Start
a new career as a certified nursing assistant because it is an excellent way to
enter the medical field. Many registered nurses began as a CNA and said it helped
to further their career. They help patients with daily living care such as
dressing patients, re-position and transferring them from their wheelchair to
bed, they help them eat and other duties. According to the US Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the majority of nursing aides work in nursing homes and residential
care facilities.
Entry Level Education
The
training program is very fast paced. Some programs can be completed in 6 to 12
weeks. Once the training is completed students receive a certificate of completion.
A student must have a high school diploma or GED. The training can be taken at
community colleges, the Red Cross, online CNA programs, vocational and
technical schools and nursing homes. Training is in two parts a theory and a
clinical portion of the program. After the training is completed students are
eligible to take their state certification exam.
Employment
When
a certified nursing assistant obtains employment they must show proof of their
certificate in the state in which they want to work. Their name is placed in a
state Nurse Aide Registry the employer must check the registry before hiring an
individual. Every state has a Nurse Aide Registry which keeps track of people
who are allowed to work as a CNA, it also maintains a list of nurses’ aides
that have been abusive, neglectful, and misappropriation of property. They can
work in hospitals, nursing homes, home health-care agencies, and hospices.
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Pay
The
median yearly wage was $24,010 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
They are usually paid by the hour and their hourly rate is $8.45 to $14.24, and
it may vary from state to state. Certified nursing assistants work full time,
all shifts including nights, holidays, and weekends. Nursing Assistants that
have experience make a lot more than the inexperienced, for instance $12.00 to
$16.22 an hour.
Work Environment
Homecare
and hospice pay $8.19 to $13.14 an hour. Employment in a hospital the hourly
wage is $8.77 to $14.52. Long term and rehabilitation facilities pay $8.53 to
$13.50 per hour, according to Payscale.com. Some nursing homes are comparable
with hospitals wages and offer benefits: medical benefits, paid holidays, sick
leave and paid vacations.
See also:
References:
Payscale:
Certified Nurse Assistant
