Career as a CNA

If you’re planning a career as a CNA you might want the low down on what exactly you are going to be doing as a CNA.  When in your training your going to be mostly working at a SNF (Specialized Nursing Facility).  These facilities are where many CNA’s work.  But just FYI these places are HARD work.  Many times CNAs can have up  to eight patients at any given time.  The work takes its toll on anybody.  So while the nursing facilities are good experience and high paying most CNAs don’t stay in these positions for too long.

Pros of this Job:

  • Easy to find work.
  • Full time employment is easy to find
  • These are relatively high paying jobs
  • Often times these facilities offer benefits

Cons for this job:

  • Lots of patients at once.
  • High burn out rate
  • Hard on the body
  •  High Stress

Another good career field for CNA’s are HHA careers.  Home Health Aide careers are some of the most popular positions for CNA’s.  Many times this is a one on one career for CNA’s.  One patient, one CNA.  This is a truly rewarding career for most CNA’s.  It’s easy not to burn out and you can create a bond with your patient.  Helping people is fun.  And becoming someones caregiver is not just fun its a privilege.

Pros of this Job:

  • One on one caregiving.
  • 24 hour shifts are often available
  • Great pay, great overtime hours

Cons:

  • Patients do tend to migrate into SNFs after a time.
  • Patients do die and this means you have to find new patients once you lose someone.

Another career is working at a local hospital. Working at a hospital is a really good job. They don’t tend to over load their staff members and there is always help involved in your daily duties.  Also hospitals pay their staff really well.   Very high pay and great benefits. It’s a sought after position that is kind of hard to get. But its worth the time taken to try to get these jobs.

Pros of this job:

  • Often times these positions offer per diem pay and plenty of over time.
  • Great job security.
  • You have a team of medical staff members to back you up.

Cons:

Its very difficult to get into these jobs.

Working at an assisted living company is also a good job for CNAs as well.  These patients arent as acute as the SNFs are.  They provide good patient environments.  These patients do need help with daily activities.