What does a Nursing Assistant do?

Some of the benefits that come with working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) include job stability, enriching work experience, and the opportunity to develop and specialize.

In the United States, the age requirement to apply for a certified nursing assistant (CNA) license varies by state. The standard minimum age is 18 years old although some states allow CNA licensure at 16 years old.

While you may find work in the healthcare field without certification, the scope of work will be limited and you would not be able to perform basic medical care like a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Example of such jobs include personal care aides, patient sitter and orderlies. You can work up to four months without certification in some states.

The average cost of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program amounts to about $1,300, though cost varies from school to school based on location and other factors.

There is a relatively high demand for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in most parts of the United States. As many CNAs progress into licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) roles, there are often CNA vacancies to be filled. You can check job listings for CNA roles to gauge demand in your area.

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) hours will vary dramatically between workplaces as each facility has different requirements for being full time (either 32 or 40 hours per week).

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) works under the direction of a registered nurse (RN). CNAs do not perform nursing duties, but rather assist with healthcare related tasks and act as a liaison between patients and nurses. Other differences between the two include certification requirements and pay rate.