What is a certified nursing assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Jeanne Martin PhD, MSN, RN, CNE
introduction image

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) provides direct patient care under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies. CNAs assist patients with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and feeding. They also take vital signs, record patient information, and assist with procedures. CNAs ensure the safety and comfort of patients while promoting their wellbeing. This rewarding career requires compassion, patience, and communication.

What general advice would you give to a Certified Nursing Assistant?

J

Jeanne Martin PhD, MSN, RN, CNE

Clinical Associate Professor

First I tell them they are more prepared for practice than they think they are. They need to give themselves a measure of patience and grace that they will not know a lot of things when they begin. I stress that they need to get adept at asking lot of questions, so they understand the “why’s: of what they are doing vs. just being task oriented. This develops their clinical reasoning and decision making skills. All of our graduates enter into Nurse Residency programs at their various facilities. These programs are designed to take graduates from a myriad of nursing schools and help them solidify the core components of nursing school. These residency programs and unit orientation programs ensure a new graduate is ready to take care of the patients on their specific units.
ScoreCertified Nursing AssistantUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,597

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.5

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.86%

Asian 7.76%

Black or African American 9.28%

Hispanic or Latino 14.51%

Unknown 4.85%

White 62.73%

Gender

female 87.66%

male 12.34%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress Level
8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.0

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Certified Nursing Assistant?

Pros

Cons

  • Physically and emotionally demanding work

  • Long hours and working on weekends/holidays

  • Low pay compared to other healthcare professions

  • Limited autonomy in decision making regarding patient care

  • Can be challenging to balance work and personal life due to long shifts and unpredictable schedules

Certified Nursing Assistant career paths

Key steps to become a certified nursing assistant

  1. Explore certified nursing assistant education requirements

    Most common certified nursing assistant degrees

    High School Diploma

    28.5 %

    Certificate

    24.1 %

    Associate

    18.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific certified nursing assistant skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients22.81%
    Vital Signs10.16%
    Home Health7.13%
    Rehabilitation5.46%
    CPR4.91%
  3. Complete relevant certified nursing assistant training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New certified nursing assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a certified nursing assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real certified nursing assistant resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed certified nursing assistant usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed certified nursing assistant in most of states. 25 states require certified nursing assistants to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    State
    ascdesc
    Education
    ascdesc
    Exam
    ascdesc
    License Url
    ascdesc
    AlaskaDegree requiredThird-party exam requiredNurse Aide
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredBoth state and third-party exams requiredNursing Assistant (Certified)
    CaliforniaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredCertified Nurse Assistant
    ColoradoSpecific course requiredState exam requiredNurse Aide
    ConnecticutSpecific course requiredState exam requiredNurses Aide
  5. Gain additional certified nursing assistant certifications

    Certified nursing assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific certified nursing assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for certified nursing assistants include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  6. Research certified nursing assistant duties and responsibilities

    • Achieve lead CMA role when a nurse are not available.
    • Manage patient charts as relates to activity of daily living through EMR system.
    • Manage memory unity within facility.
    • Care for patients with blood born pathogens such as but not limit to HIV/AIDS.
  7. Prepare your certified nursing assistant resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your certified nursing assistant resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a certified nursing assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Certified Nursing Assistant Resume templates

    Build a professional Certified Nursing Assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Certified Nursing Assistant resume.
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    Certified Nursing Assistant Resume
  8. Apply for certified nursing assistant jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a certified nursing assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Certified Nursing Assistant Job

E

Elizabeth Allen

Certified Nursing Assistant, River Valley Rehabilitation Center

I became a Certified nursing assistant by putting in applications at Parthenon healthcare,which is now called River Valley rehabilitation center.Its a nursing home that offers the CNA program and we had class for one month.We also had state boards at the nursing home.I passed and worked for the same company for 9 years.

Average certified nursing assistant salary

The average Certified Nursing Assistant salary in the United States is $32,597 per year or $16 per hour. Certified nursing assistant salaries range between $24,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average Certified Nursing Assistant Salary
$32,597 Yearly
$15.67 hourly

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How do certified nursing assistants rate their job?

3.12/5

Out of 8 Certified Nursing Assistant reviews, 25% were positive.

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Based On 8 Ratings

Pay / Salary
2.0
Overall Rating
3.1
Work/Life Balance
2.0
Career Growth
4.0

Certified Nursing Assistant reviews

profile
3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2023
Pros

Very fulfilling and rewarding

Cons

Hard work, not enough staff, mandated a lot. Under appreciated!


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

The ability to show care, love & compassion to those whom have none or family can't give time to show any. It's like being the missing piece to a puzzle we all if lucky enough get to live long enough to experience. It's making someones day by just remembering to watch their hands and face before/ after meals. To give proper attention to teeth, to let dressing am or pm still br a choice they make. I know im a good human with an oversized caring heart and although sometimes its exhausting working extra hrs or having to do all or extra work on short staffed days it's worth it. And slow and steady wins the day. They are people whom have gone through & experienced more then we will ever get too.

Cons

All the changes with certification and how you can be on the floor of a facility and know not even common sense. How they have hospitality aides, hca, and people going to start a free class. Back in the day we were called glorified babysitters I never agreed until we have just a warm body with no license(s) whom can't do anything even as small as getting ice waters. I've worked hard tobe where i am and these people take a computer class and pass we would call that our continuing education hrs but what do i know after 23 yrs. I once REALLY loved my job and still do but it's almost like being in grade school with people who have phone's lol It bothers me that many new or non licensed bodies have the audacity to come in these facilities and act like the residents are on their time! We are in their home to help provide ADL's amongst other things like them still trying to be & keep their independence. The ridiculous amount they have to spend to have the care they get from some people makes me wanna die young!! Our system sucks unless its the government making the dollar. I just wish they'd spend an 8 hr shift in these facilities before signing off on some rules & regs. Im not political by any means but those who take the dollar should get to live and experience a day of what our elderly lived ones are forced to experience daily , monthly, yearly! In fact the state hasn't even done the 18 month annual expectation in over 2 yrs at the place im contracted at 👍way to keep up on stuff and by stuff I mean our elderly living human beans. People who deserve to be served on gold plates or at least gave better food then what they serve daycares and if not that at least for it to be at high minimum warm food !! In 23 yrs of being a CNA I can only try to write a book to get out all the things I've seen ,heard. & witnessed in the years.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

I like the Patient care part of the job. Seeing the patients get better and go home

Cons

Nothing


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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