Not only is the Certified Nurse Assistant entry-level job market rapidly expanding, but it also pays well and offers a large array of career advancement opportunities. If you are just starting out in the healthcare industry or are looking to change professions, consider being a CNA for these 10 reasons why being a CNA is just what you are looking for.
1. Many nurses actually started off as CNAs
It’s definitely possible for many people to start working as a CNA right after high school or while they are still in college before deciding what career path they would like to take afterward. There are just certain requirements that need to be met in order to work in this field which can vary on where you live but some places allow anyone who is over the age of 18 to apply!
This also means that you won’t have too much student debt either since some schools offer these programs as part of their requirements for graduation. Just make sure that the school you choose is accredited by a state board and has passed its inspections with flying colors before signing up!
2. You get paid to learn
Being a newly certified nursing assistant gets you into the medical profession without having gone through years of training and several hundred thousand dollars in student loans.
Instead of paying huge tuition fees to go to nursing school, become a CNA, get hands-on experience under direct supervision while getting paid for your services. You won’t find another industry that gives so much in return for so little money.
3. CNA salary is excellent
The average CNA salary starts at around $30,000 annually but can be as high as $40,000 or more depending on where you live and how much experience you have under your belt.
Many CNAs enjoy free health insurance benefits after working just a few weeks. The next best profession that offers this type of financial stability is an electrician who makes about the same amount of money without any medical benefits.
If you are looking to get into healthcare with little up-front investment, consider being a Certified Nursing Assistant.
4. The job market is growing
The need for healthcare services is increasing greatly due to the aging Baby Boomer population in America.
Many CNAs decide to pursue additional training and become RNs which has opened up even more job opportunities being open for them as well.
According to projections from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be over 118,500 new jobs created within the next 10 years just for CNAs alone! Opportunities for new positions are plentiful.
5. Medical benefits are easy to get
Just by being a full-time CNA, you automatically qualify for access to medical coverage through your employer or the agency that hired you. It’s always best to have insurance so be sure to ask about this benefit when signing up on your first day on the job.
Many companies also offer discounts on their services and products to employees who work for them! Talk about having it all in one package deal.
6. You learn how our healthcare system works
If you are interested in getting into science, research, medicine or just want experience working with patients, being a CNA prepares you well for future opportunities since you will see everything from the bottom up.
As a CNA, you get to interact with patients from the moment they enter the door until the time they leave. You also get to help doctors and nurses diagnose diseases so being a CNA can open many doors for you in the future if healthcare is your thing.
7. CNAs work in all types of medical settings
Going from working on a hospital floor to an outpatient clinic is one of the many benefits of becoming a CNA. There are many different environments where CNAs can choose to work at which means there’s more than one career path open to them after they graduate. Even if you don’t want to go into nursing it’s still possible for some people who just love helping others by applying as a CNA!
There are many different types of CNAs. Clerical assistants work in offices while patient care assistants work mostly in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. If you would enjoy spending most of your time with seniors or in an office setting, becoming a CNA is for you.
If you like to also work under the supervision of doctors and nurses while taking care of other patients in a hospital environment, find a nursing assistant training program near you here.
8. Being a CNA creates an easy path to become an RN
Most CNA training programs can be completed in less than a year which means you can try out being a nursing assistant before committing yourself fully to the medical field.
If you find that you don’t like taking care of patients or working under direct supervision, it’s easy enough to enroll in another program at your local college or technical school so you can become an RN instead if this is more up your alley. There are many opportunities out there just waiting for you!
The amount of time it takes someone to become an RN all depends on how many classes they take per semester. If you’re able, don’t drag out your college career by taking too many credits per term. Work part-time while you attend school if possible but keep in mind that most RN programs offer classes during mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends to accommodate students with busy schedules. Also, remember that some schools offer accelerated courses which allow you to finish your degree faster if you really want to!
CNAs typically start making around $14/hour on average after their training is completed. If you decide to continue your education and become an RN, the average salary for entry-level positions can be as high as $40/hour depending on which state you work in and what type of facility you work at (ie: hospital vs. care home).
CNAs also typically work part-time but nurses can typically find full-time positions with benefits working under a private practice or company that offers flexible scheduling and paid overtime. This is another reason why many CNAs decide to become nurses if they are looking for certain stability in their lives!
9. Being a CNA will teach you great skills that you will use forever
Medical skills like CPR, vital signs monitoring, and understanding medical terminology are very important so being a CNA is the perfect job for anyone who wants to learn these kinds of things.
CNAs are always learning something new every day which means they also have to be flexible in their jobs. This is why many nurses often say that working as a CNA helps them understand what it feels like on the other side while still being able to communicate with patients properly during emergencies or injuries.
Flexibility, adaptability, and problem solving are just some of the benefits you get while working your way towards becoming an RN.
10. CNAs are well-respected by their peers
CNAs often work under risk of injury due to lifting heavy weights, moving people around and working long hours depending on where you work. Despite this, CNAs are treated very well by doctors, nurses and other professionals who understand how much hard work it takes to perform their jobs day in and day out.
The medical community is filled with compassionate people that appreciate what CNAs do every single day. This is why many nurses are also willing to help CNAs out by offering advice, tutoring, teaching new skills and supporting them on their journey to becoming an RN.
If you want to make a difference in the lives of others while also making great money and using your skills every day, becoming a CNA may be for you. There are many benefits like flexible hours and work schedules that can allow CNAs to balance their careers with school or family obligations which is why they’re such an important part of our healthcare system. If it sounds like something that interests you then take some time today to explore what options are available near where you live because there’s never been a better time than now!