Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) a Good Job

Certified nursing assistant using a stethoscope on a patient

Have you ever heard people say things like “It’s more than just a job”? They are talking about work that has real meaning, something deeper that goes far beyond a paycheck. The role of a nursing assistant is more than just a job. 

Being a nursing assistant allows you to care for people directly and make a real impact on their lives. The job is demanding, but you’ll know the work you’re doing is meaningful.

What’s It Like to Be a Nursing Assistant?

As a nursing assistant, most of your duties will revolve around helping patients with their day-to-day needs. Your exact job will vary based on where you work—hospital, long-term care facility, hospice care, and beyond—but in general you might find yourself doing things like:

  • Bathing and cleaning patients
  • Helping patients dress
  • Serving meals
  • Changing bedding
  • Emptying bedpans
  • Repositioning patients who have trouble moving
  • Checking vital signs
  • Administering medication
  • Sanitizing patient rooms
  • Updating records about patient condition

As you can see, these duties are necessary to help patients stay comfortable and healthy. That’s what we mean when we say that you’ll know your work is impactful: patients depend on you to help them get through the day.

In addition to the care you provide as a nursing assistant, you’ll also act as a bridge between the patient and their doctor. Because nursing assistants work so closely with patients, you’ll be in a position to notice problems or concerns that other medical staff should know about. When you report an issue to the doctor, you’re playing a part in improving the quality of care your patient receives.

Reasons to Consider Becoming a Nursing Assistant

There are many reasons why you might want to become a nursing assistant, just a few of which include:

  1. Growth opportunities: The employment of nursing assistants is expected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, with more than 190,000 job openings expected each year.
  2. Fast education: You can finish our Nursing Assistant program in less than two months. Then, you’ll be ready to take the state exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
  3. Additional career opportunities: Being a nursing assistant gives you exposure to the medical field and can be a good way for you to decide if you might want to pursue more education and pursue other healthcare jobs.
  4. Variety: Every day as a nursing assistant is different. You’ll get to deal with different situations and people.
  5. Different work settings: Nursing assistants can work in many different locations. You could choose a rural retirement community or a major big-city hospital or something in between.
  6. Opportunities to make a true difference: If you’re a compassionate person who truly enjoys caring for others, you can get a great deal of emotional satisfaction from being a nursing assistant because you’ll be making a difference in the lives of real people every day.

Learn More About the Nursing Assistant Certification Program at Cambridge

You can earn your diploma in under two months from Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology. If you have questions about the program, please call 877-206-4279 or send us a message anytime to schedule a meeting with one of our friendly advisors.

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