Certified nursing assistants are one of the allied health professionals responsible for providing basic care to patients in a hospital, home healthcare setting, nursing home, or retirement facility. The training that certified nursing assistants receive prepares them with the skills necessary for an entry-level career helping patients with their day-to-day activities. This can include bathing, toilet care, transfers from bed to wheelchair, and assisting with serving meals and feeding patients. A CNA will also listen to and record patients’ health concerns and take some vital signs. Many certified nursing assistants see the same patients every day, and develop warm professional relationships with their patients over time.

With the population living longer and advancements in healthcare, there may be more opportunities for nursing assistants. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the job outlook for nursing assistants will increase by 8% from 2019 to 2029, which is the faster than the average occupation growth rate of 4%. *www.bls.gov