Certified nursing assistants (CNA) work under the supervision of a registered nurse to provide patient care, and they also perform routine tasks to aid nurses and doctors. The responsibilities that fall to nursing assistants are many and can range from administrative work to physical labor and direct patient care. A typical day for a certified nursing assistant may include setting up medical equipment for doctors, assisting patients with bathing and eating, providing nurses with patient status updates, and making up a patient's room or bed.

Because nurses and doctors are often called away for procedures, certified nursing assistants can have the most personal contact with patients. However, the position can be quite demanding and CNAs may be called to take care of a number of different tasks in a limited amount of time. The stress level of the work is generally high and is partially determined by the environment; CNAs can work in a number of different medical settings, the most common being hospitals and nursing homes.

Most CNAs receive their training though a program that includes both classroom and hands-on portions, covering required fields like anatomy, infection control, and communication. These courses are offered by community colleges, medical facilities, and the American Red Cross. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow faster than the average, especially in elder care facilities. Because the CNA job itself -- and elder care in particular -- can be very challenging, there is a high turnover rate. As a result, those looking to begin a career in this field will likely have no trouble landing a position.

Career Specializations

• Geriatrics: This is the fastest growing field for certified nursing assistants. CNAs in this field work with elderly patients in nursing homes, elder care facilities, and private residences.
• Cardiology: CNAs in this field specialize in the care of patients with heart issues; they assist cardiac nurses to provide emergency and long-term care.
• Oncology: Working in cancer wards and with cancer patients in home settings, CNAs that specialize in oncology face many challenging situations.
• Pediatrics: Young patients have a number of unique needs that CNAs in this field attend to.
• Emergency: CNAs who work in emergency rooms see an ever-changing cycle of patients and must be quick on their feet for this high-paced specialty.

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Degree Levels

There is no required minimum degree to become a certified nursing assistant. Most programs require that CNA students have a high school diploma or GED in order to enroll, but no further education is specified. More advanced academic programs in nursing, such as associate or bachelor's degree programs for example, typically enroll students who go on to become registered nurses, rather than nursing assistants.

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Education and Certification Requirements

There are no degree requirements for becoming a certified nursing assistant. Many programs do, however, require at least a high school diploma or GED. Most certification requirements are determined by state laws and can, therefore, vary from state to state; students should contact their state's Department of Health and Human Services or nursing board to find out details.

In some cases, a high school diploma or GED is not required. Some high schools offer CNA training, so younger readers who would like to pursue this career as soon as possible may want to do some research to confirm whether their high school or another school in their community offers this training. 

For all CNA training, students are expected to have a certain number of classroom and hands-on training hours -- between 50 and 90 -- before taking a licensure exam administered by the state. CNAs must be able to communicate in English and complete basic mathematics calculations. Prospective CNAs are often required to pass physical exams and criminal background checks before becoming licensed, as well.

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Salary Information

Despite the physical and emotional demands of their work, certified nursing assistants do not earn very high salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNAs earn about $12 an hour. This works out to be just under $25,000 a year. However, because of the high turnover in this positions, employers are quite receptive to CNAs who stay on and gain practical experience, and who excel in patient care. As such, certified nursing assistants who work in one facility for many years and demonstrate exceptional patient care can earn salaries around $35,000 a year, in addition to benefits like paid vacation and medical coverage. Salaries also tend to be higher in more urban areas and on the east and west coasts. (BLS)

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Job Outlook

The job outlook for certified nursing assistants is quite good. Because the work can be so challenging for relatively little pay, CNA positions experience a very high rate of turnover. Many CNAs leave their positions after a short while to pursue higher level medical positions (many CNAs going on to pursue degrees and become registered nurses) or for other, less-demanding positions in another field.

In addition, the growing elderly population is putting increasing demands on the medical community and the additional support provided by CNAs is needed by doctors and nurses. CNAs who are looking for work will find the most jobs in the elder care field. Nursing homes and private residences are experiencing rapid growth in the number of seniors needing long-term medical care, and CNAs are well equipped to handle many of the day-to-day challenges common to long-term elder care. Employment in this field is expected to grow 19 percent over the next decade. (BLS)

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Related Careers

There are a number of related careers to certified nursing assistant positions, but most require more education. For example, many certified nursing assistants take on that position to get an idea of what it is like to work in the medical field without having to make a substantial investment of time and money. CNAs who decide to pursue more advanced positions often choose to earn nursing degrees. By getting an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, students are prepared to become registered nurses and take on the additional responsibilities that position requires.

Physician assistants work to support medical staff like CNAs do, but the tasks they complete are somewhat more complex. This position requires at least two years of education in addition to a bachelor's degree, and it entails assisting doctors with procedures, taking basic medical information from patients, and treating minor injuries.

Licensed practical nurses do work very similar to CNAs as well, but this position too requires a little bit more training than certified nursing assistants complete. With one year of training, LPNs can earn a degree or certificate that qualifies them to assist with patient care and serve as a contact between a patient's family and the care facility. They face many of the same challenges as CNAs but receive higher compensation.

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