CNA is an acronym that stands for Certified Nursing Assistant. A CNA is a worker in the medical field who assists registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the daily care of patients. Although such an individual is a licensed professional with adequate education, he or she can never work outside of the supervision of an RN or LPN, due to liability concerns. Some states have different names for the certified nursing assistant including:
- nursing assistant (NA)
- state tested nurse aide (STNA)
- patient care assistant (PCA)
CNAs work in all sorts of environments including doctors’ offices, health clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, public schools, corporate medical facilities, and so on. Most of their tasks involve routine care of patients or assisting in routine examinations. They are prevented by law from performing most of the tasks that could directly impact the immediate health of the patient. So, for example, a CNA is not allowed to dispense medications.
Educational Requirements for a CNA
The first thing required of someone who wants to become a CNA is a high school diploma or GED. Most schools offering CNA certification programs will not even consider you for entrance without one or the other. The one exception to this rule is for homeschoolers who can prove they have achieved the equivalent of a high school education according to the regulations of his or her state. Homeschoolers should be aware that colleges and CNA programs often have to be educated about homeschooling law before they understand that your education is equal to that of a public school graduate.
With your high school education complete you'll need to enroll in a state approved CNA certification program. One of the nice things about these programs is that they are fairly inexpensive and don't necessarily require you to enroll in a college or a formal educational institution. While many community colleges and nursing schools do indeed offer CNA programs, you can also find them through organizations like the Red Cross, your local hospital, an outpatient facility, and online vocational training centers. Yet regardless of where you receive your training, you will have to pass a state licensing exam in order to complete the process.
Work Environment
The work environment of the certified nursing assistant can vary according to the type of institution he or she works in. Often, the most difficult work environment is the nursing home center or acute care facility. In these types of facilities the work is often the most difficult because of the nature of the patients you are dealing with. Because of this, there tends to be very high turnover rates in these settings. That said, there is a movement among nursing homes and acute care facilities to improve the working conditions of CNAs in order to retain them.
The work environment at a hospital or private practice tends to be much more enjoyable, if for no other reason than the fact patients are easier to deal with. That said, it's not uncommon for CNAs to have a difficult time in the hospital setting as the result of being mistreated by superiors. CNAs often get the most unpleasant assignments because they are lowest on the seniority list. Just like nursing homes, the turnover rates of hospitals are also fairly high.
CNAs and Nursing Careers
It is possible to use the position of CNA as a means of embarking on a path to becoming a registered nurse. In fact, this is very common within the industry. You can receive your CNA certification in a matter of a few months and get right to work as soon as you pass the exam. This enables individuals to be able to pay for their nursing school education because they're earning a paycheck at the same time. In theory you could become a CNA, study for a year to pass your LPN exam then continue working while you pursue a two or four-year program to become a registered nurse.
If this is an option you're considering you might want to check with a local hospital or health clinic to see if they offer any in-house training. Sometimes hospitals will provide free CNA training in exchange for an agreement from you to work for them while you undergo your nursing education. In some cases they'll also offer you free or reduced tuition for nursing school in exchange for a further commitment to work for them after graduation. In theory, if you found a hospital willing to cooperate you could get all of your education with no money out of your own pocket.
If you enjoy helping people in need and don't mind the physical nature of the work, getting your certification as a CNA is a wise career move. You'll have no trouble finding work after graduation, and you'll be in a good position to further your education if you so choose.