CNA Duties

Hi there and welcome to our career training series. I’m Ruby and I’m one of the recruiters here at myCNAjobs.

Today’s training session is to help those exploring a career as a certified nursing assistant to better understand what a CNA is, a day in the life of a CNA, and typical CNA job duties. There’s never been a better time to explore a career in nursing. As a CNA, you’re joining the fastest growing profession in America….meaning job security! You can work anywhere you want in the country and likely find a job. First, it’s important to understand there are a lot of different names for a CNA depending on your State. Sometimes, companies refer to CNAs as Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Nursing Aides, Nurse Aides, and sometimes event State Tested Nursing Assistants. Regardless of your state, being a nurse aide is an important job that’s very much in demand.

So, let’s dive in.  Today we’re going to talk about

1. What a CNA is
2. Where CNAs work
3. What CNAs do
4. How much CNAs make
5. How to become a CNA
6. How to find a CNA job

#1 - What is a CNA?
So, what is a CNA? A CNA is a healthcare worker that works closely to help serve seniors and disabled individuals. CNAs work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or LPN to provide care according to a patient’s care plan.  Typically a care plan is developed by a doctor or RN and then a CNA helps to take care of the patient, documenting how the patient is doing and what’s been done on a daily basis.  People that have a love for caring for others tend to make great CNAs. If this is you, keep watching!

#2 - Where do CNAs work?
Where do CNAs work? CNAs work in a variety of settings including the home of someone that needs a care or a more clinical setting like a hospital, assisted living community, nursing home, or rehab center. Homecare CNA jobs are currently the fastest growing as more seniors are deciding to stay at home as they age. However, there a variety of options as a CNA -- because the profession is in such demand, chances are you can choose where you want to work and test out a variety of options to find the best fit for you.

#3 - What do CNAs do?

What do CNAs do?  Depending on where you work as a CNA it will drive what your day looks like. For instance, CNAs that work in a patient's home typically provide one-on-one care allowing you to develop a friendship with one patient. CNAs that work in a senior living setting tend to work alongside a lot of other CNAs to care for many patients at once. However, here are the basic duties of a certified nursing assistant.

1. Help patients with basic living activities like getting around the house, eating a meal, brushing teeth, going to the bathroom, bathing, combing hair, and staying active. One of the most fun parts of a CNA job is being able to learn from your clients and patients -- hearing their stories, taking them to bingo, and just getting them out and about as much as their health will allow them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
2. Follow a care plan and documenting care.  As a CNA, you’ll start your day with an outline of the patients health and what you should do that day.  Sometimes this means reminding someone to take medicine, measuring vital signs, helping someone turn over in their bed, or changing a bandage. At the end of your shift, you’ll document what you need and the patient’s status.
3. Help to maintain a tidy environment. An important part of a CNA job is helping your patients maintain a tidy living space whether this is in their home or a community setting. You may help make beds, sweep the floor, and clean out the fridge. Often times those needing care can’t do simple cleaning chores and CNAs help to provide a clean and tidy environment.
4. Assist with patient transportation. Sometimes as a CNA you may be responsible for helping to lift patients into a wheelchair, assisting to help load a patient,  attending doctor appointments and lab tests, and sometimes even driving a patient to the doctor yourself. The amount and type of transportation you will do will depend on where you choose to work and the types of patients you’re working with.

#4 - How much do CNAs make?
How much do CNAs make? Pay for CNA jobs varies based on your experience, where you live, and where you work.   Typically, pay ranges from $9 per hour to $17 per hour.  Some companies offer live-in caregiver jobs that allow you to work a few days and earn a full salary.  For live-in jobs, we see companies paying $1,000 - $1,300 per week.  If you want to learn more about what companies are paying in your area, search jobs at myCNAjobs.com. You can enter your zip code and then see specific companies and pay rates. Our prediction is that CNA wages will start to increase even more as the demand for certified nursing assistants increases.

#5 - How do you become a CNA?
To become a certified nursing aide, you need to find local a local CNA school. There are currently no online CNA training options to get your state certificate -- however  a portion of your training may be done online. To find a local CNA class, you can visit myCNAjobs.com and click SCHOOLS. There’s a directory of training options that may also include local community colleges. It will outline the school cost and how long the classes will take. CNA classes range from 3 weeks to 12 weeks depending on the program you choose. Once you have your CNA, there are free CEUS available to maintain your certificate available at myCNAjobs -- that portion of your training can be done online.

#6 - How do you find a CNA job?
How do you find a CNA job? This is the fun part! You can search online to find local companies that are hiring.  If you visit myCNAjobs.com you can search thousands of local compabies that hiring closest to you.  You can also just call our team -- we can share more about current openings in your area and potentially book you for an interview!   Our recruitment number is 312-275-3959 if you want to explore jobs before, during, and after you get your CNA.  Another way to find a job is to attend local job fairs. Communities typically hold job fairs throughout the year, bringing together multiple companies for you to meet in a single day.

Well, that’s it folks. If you like what you saw here today, consider taking the leap to take your career to the next level to become a CNA. If you’d like to access additional training materials, apply for a CNA scholarship, or research schools and local CNA jobs, be sure to check out the free resources available to you  at myCNAjobs.com.