Career opportunities - Becoming a Nursing Assistant

CNA certification is obtained after completing your CNA training course and successfully passing the CNA certification test.  The certification states that you  have been trained and tested and you can now work competently as a Certified Nurse Assistant or a certified nurse aide in the medical field.


To many young people, this certification serves as a great way to enter into the medical field. A CNA is charged with the responsibility of providing primary health  care to patients including feeding, checking basic vital signs, bathing, putting to bed and other basic care duties.  To excel in this career, you need to have a heart  for helping people and loads of patience to go along with it.



CNA trainings vary a lot with different institutions having different syllabuses. Care should be taken when  selecting a training institution especially for those who know exactly where they want to go in terms of a career. The best training should have both theory and  practical sessions where you get to practice what are you are learning in a hospital environment.


As nursing assistant, you can find employment with a hospital, a nursing home or even provide home care services. Many people with health complications do  not want to stay in hospital and they would rather have a trained nurse assistant taking care of them from their homes. Nursing homes are also a common  employer catering from the elderly, children and so on.

While training may differ from state to state, certain elements remain common. Most training will involve first aid, general patient care, administration of  medication, taking vital signs, nutrition and communication. These are the common skills taught to all CNA trainees who as a matter of fact spend more time with  the patients and act as a link between the doctors and the patients. In most States, the training is divided into classroom sessions and practical sessions.


There are two common modes of training. Training is done in an institution and web based training where you can go through the course online. Every institution  offering this course will have its own unique course outline and the training can take a couple of weeks to a number of years. It is therefore necessary for you to do  your research before selecting the institution to train with.


Class training has the advantage of giving you one on one interaction with lecturers and other students. This can be a great  advantage. Training on the internet has one distinct advantage that draws many people. You can train from any location in the world and this is great. You also  spend much less online. The choice is yours between the two kinds of experiences.


Do not make the mistake of getting into this career without doing your research. This is a great career but it takes a lot of sacrifice, patience and  passion especially when you have to work long hours and deal with rather traumatic situations. You need to know what you are getting yourself into. Other than  that, it is indeed a great career with a lot of growth options and your will enjoy helping others who are in need.