CNA Jobs
The jobs salaried and careers for a Certified Nurse Assistants vary from state to state. Though there is a national standard for the Certified Nurse Assistants job description. The Certified Nurse Assistant assists the Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Basically, the CNA provides a basic nursing service under the supervision of an RN (Registered Nurse) or an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). This supervision is necessary, as the CNA does not have the legal powers or responsibilities of a registered nurse.
The certified Nurse Assistants position is an entry level position which means it is a long drawn climb to the top of the nursing ladder. Many Certified Nurse Assistants remain at this level for years but the job is very rewarding, emotionally, psychological and on other ways. The job as a Certified Nurse Assistant requires care for patients, reporting to the LPN or RN about the patient’s health status.
CNA Duties
Their duties also include caring for the patient, observing them, taking vital signs and feeding them when necessary. These jobs may be available in hospitals and in long term health care facilities where the patients are called residents. Medicare.gov gives more information regarding long term health care facilities. The Federal Nursing Home Star Rating System and State Adult Care Home Star Rating System give a good idea of the long term home care facilities.
These sites will give not only the patients but also the service provider’s information to make well informed decisions. The quality of service provided by the health care facilities is defined by the Certified Nurse Assistants as it is they who greet the patient and interact with the patient during their stay at the hospital. Long term care facilities provide a comfortable homely environment to the residents in the care of these Certified Nurse Assistants.
CNA Careers
The Certified Nurse Assistants job can be further enhanced through further studies which give them an opportunity to earn higher wages. The other slow track is to remain in job for more than 4 years then become eligible for the regular rises offered by the government to keep up with the inflation.
Furthering ones career would require the Certified Nurse Assistant to train as Registered Nurse or Licensed Practicing Nurse. The pay scales of the certified nurse assistants vary therefore it is best to ask or just visit a few job websites to get the idea on the remunerations.
CNA Salaries
A single shift of a Certified Nurse Assistant lasts approximately 7.5 hours with an hour long break. If they would like to gain additional income the Certified Nurse Assistants do double shifts. Most Certified Nurse Assistants work a second shift six to seven days per week.
As the Certified Nurse Assistants have no previous health care experience their pay is between $9.50 to 12.00 per hour for the first 4 years, which rises according to the rates in their states.