What other jobs can you do with a cna license

If you're holding off on becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, because you've heard it's a dead-end job, think again. The truth is that many healthcare professionals, including hospital administrators, researchers, and RNs, began their careers as CNAs. Becoming a CNA is an easy way to enter the line of work. The work exposes you to a variety of settings and a multitude of healthcare career options, so you can figure out what you'd like to do later fairly easily. Also, many CNA programs are operated by schools that offer classes for RNs and more.

CNAs can progress into a variety of different positions. The most popular include:

Advanced CNA

In some areas, CNAs can take additional courses to earn advanced credentials. By completing a few more classes, you may be able to progress into a more technical job. For instance, some entry-level CNAs are able to move up to become geriatric technicians. Advanced job titles typically come with higher pay, so it's a worthwhile option to consider.

LPN / LVN

Many CNAs quickly move on to become LPNs/LVNs, or Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses. The educational requirements for LPNs are far less stringent than they are for RNs. As an added bonus, many schools offer CNA-to-LPN bridge programs that let you apply the credits you earned schooling to become a CNA toward your goal of becoming an LPN.

RN

There are many paths you can take to become an RN. Since you will already have your CNA certification, you may be able to complete a CNA-to-RN program. More commonly, however, aspiring RNs earn their Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, to get there. If you aspire to progress into even more advanced roles later, however, you should consider earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN.

Administration

After working your way up to RN, you may decide that working closely with patients isn't for you, or you may simply crave a little more authority. A role in administration may be the answer. To get there, you'll need to earn your Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN. From there, you may even want to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP, which will open up even more doors.

Research and Teaching

Some RNs are drawn toward helping to teach and to grow and advance their field. This can be accomplished by earning your DPN and seeking roles as a professor, nurse educator, or researcher. This is a good fit for you if you enjoy academia, but still want to retain a role in the healthcare field.

Career CNA

Finally, you may enjoy working as a CNA so much that you won't want to advance at all. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, certified nurse assisting is a very noble profession. Every day, you make a direct and positive difference in people's lives. If you stick with the same employer for the long haul, you're sure to receive pay raises and additional benefits over time, so don't be afraid of simply sticking with this line of work for the rest of your career.

As you can see, CNAs have all kinds of options in terms of career paths. Some are perfectly happy remaining regular CNAs, while others are inspired by colleagues and decide to progress into more advanced roles. Regardless of how you proceed, starting out as a CNA is never a bad idea.

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA, is a vital member of a healthcare team. There are many rewarding jobs you can get with a CNA credential that involve assisting patients with the tasks of daily living. In addition to working in various types of settings with a different focus, you may also wish to consider alternative careers for CNAs that may require little or no additional training. Although the pay is not great in this occupation, job demand for nursing assistants is projected to grow faster than average.

CNA Description

Typical duties of a CNA include helping private clients, nursing home residents or hospital patients with routine daily activities such as toileting, bathing, brushing teeth, dressing and eating meals. Under the supervision of a licensed nurse, a CNA may take vital signs and report changes in blood pressure or temperature to the supervising licensed nurse. CNAs must know how to use transfer belts to safely assist bedridden patients in getting into a wheelchair. The interpersonal communication skills and basic nursing procedures you would learn as a CNA are transferrable to other direct patient care jobs in the health field.

CNA Education and Training

Landing a job as a CNA in any type of setting requires proper training and credentials. Hiring requirements generally include completing a state-approved nursing assistant program and passing a state exam that tests knowledge and skills. According to BOS Medical Staffing, most CNA training programs last between four and 12 weeks.

The CNA training curriculum covers topics such as basic nursing care, ethics, patient rights, vital signs and infection control. Once you complete the CNA course and pass a competency exam, your name will be added to the state CNA registry, which is a requirement to work in nursing homes. You may also be required to pass a criminal background check for many positions.

Types of CNA Jobs You Can Get

Jobs you can get as a CNA are available in many different healthcare settings. Responsibilities in the job description vary depending on the population you work with in your role and the level of care needed. CNA jobs may also entail providing companionship and friendship.

​Example:​

​Skilled nursing homes​. Most CNAs start out working in skilled nursing homes, according to Nurse Journal. These jobs tend to be very physical and stressful because of the high number of residents you must assist, including elderly individuals who are uncooperative or agitated due to conditions like dementia.

​Assisted living facilities.​ Residents in assisted living are relatively high functioning and mentally sharp. According to CNA Training Help, CNAs working in assisted living help individuals with medical conditions that limit mobility or impair balance. CNA duties may include assisting with grooming and getting dressed or light housekeeping chores such as dusting and making the bed.

​General hospitals.​ Experienced CNAs may compete for jobs in hospitals. Competition is stiff because of better pay and benefits. CNAs also have ready access to nurses if they have a question or concern. Securing a hospital job takes time and constant monitoring of job openings. Volunteering at a hospital may help you make connections and get noticed. Some applicants grow impatient and pursue alternative careers for CNAs if they want a change of pace from nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Home Health Aide

Home health aides visit clients who are able to live independently with a little support. Some clients need temporary home health care services while convalescing from an illness or surgery. Instead of assisting dozens of patients in a group setting, you would work with just a few clients in their homes. You would have an opportunity to sit down and get to know your clients instead of rushing about to stay on schedule.

Your companionship may be just as important as the tasks you perform like checking blood pressure, doing laundry or preparing meals. Home health aides may be trained and supervised by a licensed nurse. CNAs hired as home health aides average ​$29,749​ per year, as reported by the job website Indeed in 2021.

Hospital Orderly

Certified nursing assistants interested in working in a hospital setting may wish to consider applying for hospital orderly jobs. Experience as a CNA may be helpful in securing an orderly job that involves safely lifting and transferring patients to beds and wheelchairs. Orderlies receive short on-the-job training to familiarize them with assisting patients in wheelchairs and performing job duties such as changing beds, restocking supplies and cleaning equipment. Some employers require basic life support or cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Hospital orderlies earn a median salary of ​$30,030,​ BLS reports.

Traveling CNA

Companies like Aureus Medical Group (AMG) hire CNAs who are eager to travel around the country to healthcare facilities where CNAs are needed on a short-term basis. If you like to see different parts of the country and immerse yourself in regional cultures, you may enjoy this unique position. Traveling CNAs take vital signs, dress wounds, reposition bedridden patients, feed patients and report any changes in patient health to medical staff.

While on assignment, you would be provided private furnished housing and reimbursement for travel expenses. Employers also handle travel logistics for CNAs. Average salaries range from ​$25,000​ to ​$30,000​ per year, but some private agencies pay more, according to CNA Training Help.

Certified Medication Aide

Nursing homes and state-licensed private healthcare companies like A Place at Home hire caregivers to provide CNA support and pass out medications in homes and group settings. Medication aids must also learn how to observe patients for possible side effects that must be reported to medical staff immediately. Medication aides should be detail-oriented and able to precisely follow directions when giving out prescription or non-prescription drugs.

A CNA interested in working as a caregiver must complete a state-approved Med Aide certification course and take the national Medication Aid Certification Exam (MACE) at a proctored testing center. Passing scores are needed to obtain a Medication Aid license. The job website Indeed reports that medication aides earned an average salary of ​$33,782​ as of June 2021.

Medical Assistant

If the physical demands of being a CNA are becoming too difficult to handle, you may wish to pursue a job as a medical assistant in a hospital or clinic. Medical assistants work in comfortable offices answering phones, scheduling patients, taking vital signs and submitting insurance claims on behalf of patients. Although some employers prefer to hire certified medical assistants, you may be able to find a job that offers on-the-job training. Your CNA background would be an asset in understanding medical terminology and the healthcare system. Medical assistants earned a median salary of ​$35,850​ per year, BLS reported in 2020.

CNA Salary and Growth Trend

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that CNAs earned a median annual salary of ​$​​30,850​ as of May 2020. CNAs who work in hospital settings earned slightly more at ​$33,600​ per year, followed by CNAs employed in skilled nursing homes who made ​$31,000​. Nursing assistant salaries in assisted living facilities and home health care services averaged ​$30,600​ and ​$29,750​, respectively.

As of May 2020, more than 1.5 million workers held nursing assistant positions in the U.S, according to BLS. Jobs for CNAs are projected to grow 8 percent through 2029, which is faster than the 4 percent anticipated growth rate of all occupations. Demand will be spurred by the healthcare needs of aging Baby Boomers, but tempered by cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and other programs that help pay for nursing home care. Nonetheless, the BLS estimates 174,000 nursing assistant positions will open up each year over the decade. Employment prospects will be best in home health care and community-based rehabilitation services for recovering patients.

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