Important Facts About Certified Nursing Assistants
| Work Environment | Nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals and more |
| Similar Occupations | Home Health Aides, Registered Nurses, Psychiatric Technicians and Aides |
| Professional Certification | Aside from the standard Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential, individuals may also pursue the Certified Medication Assistant (CMA) designation |
| Key Qualities | Communication skills, Compassion, Physical stamina |
Factors of Growth
Due to the growing demand for in-home services, home health aides are expected to gain jobs more quickly than nursing assistants. This is due to an increasing elderly population and efforts made by hospitals and insurance agencies to keep costs lower. These agencies are now moving patients out of care facilities more quickly. Patients who require long-term care are also receiving treatment at home using new medical technologies.
Since this career has limited opportunities for advancement, low pay and high physical demands, many nursing assistants are expected to leave their jobs to pursue higher formal training. This will result in more job opportunities for those who have the right training and meet their state's examination requirements.
According to PayScale.com, most CNAs earned between $21,000 and $45,000 as of February 2023, and the median salary was $33,114. The BLS reported in May 2021 that nursing assistants earned an average wage of $32,090 working for nursing care facilities and $35,190 working for general hospitals. The highest-paid nursing assistants worked for junior colleges averaged $61,310 in May 2021, reported the BLS.
