CNA Jobs Overview

CNA jobs are found in all types of healthcare settings to provide patients with comforting and compassionate hands-on care. Patients' families, physicians, and other healthcare providers rely on CNAs to give patients personal attention and serve as a bridge between everyone involved in a patient's care. Working as a certified nursing assistant is a great entry point to healthcare while you attend nursing school or decide whether to pursue an advanced healthcare career. Being a CNA in itself is a rewarding career as well. CNAs are also called nursing assistants, patient care assistants (PCA), or nurse's aides.

In hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and adult daycare centers, you'll groom and bathe patients; feed patients; turn, move, and transport patients; and check vital signs. A demand for these skills isn't going away any time soon. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that CNA jobs will see an 8% growth over the next 10 years.

If working in healthcare support jobs interests you, you can expand your search to related jobs such as:

• home health aide jobs
• hospital orderly jobs
• dental assistant jobs

CNA Training and Skills

It takes communication skills, compassion, patience, and physical stamina to succeed in most certified nursing assistant jobs. In most states, you need to pass a competency test after completing a state-approved program at a high school, community college, or vocational or technical school. Some hospitals and nursing homes provide these programs in house. A CNA program curriculum includes:

• Personal care techniques for bathing, feeding, etc.
• Taking vital signs including blood pressure and temperature.
• Basic anatomy and physiology.
• Communication skills needed to guide and encourage patients.

Take a look at this Monster job description to see what else you might need to get a CNA job.

Update Your CNA Resume

Whether you're soon to be or actively looking for a CNA position, it's never too early to polish your resume. When you're ready, take a look at this sample CNA resume to get started. It's also a good idea to send a cover letter to accompany your resume. You can learn how to format and write an effective cover letter by browsing all the cover letter writing tips on Monster.

Interviewing for a CNA Job

Being prepared for a CNA interview includes anticipating what questions you'll be asked and practicing your answers. We've got a full list of potential healthcare interview questions and suggestions on how to craft answers that show you in the best light.

How Much Do CNA Jobs Pay?

Walk into that CNA interview knowing what you're worth! According to Monster, the median pay for a CNA in the U.S. is $15.79 per hour. Monster's Salary Tools will tell you what salary to expect as a certified nursing assistant in different parts of the U.S. Be sure to look on that page to find out the next steps you can take in your nursing career.

Let Monster Help You Find the Perfect CNA Job

Are you ready to see what CNA jobs are available in your area? Click on the jobs on this page to get started. Then, go a step further and create a profile on Monster so you can connect with recruiters and get job openings sent straight to your inbox.