CNA Jobs: 3 Best Places For New Certified Nursing Assistants

Besides caring for the patient, you will likely do some light housework related to the patient. It’s not unusual to tidy up the patient’s living space, prepare a meal, wash the dishes after the patient eats, or do the patient’s laundry. You may be responsible for monitoring the supplies that come from the agency and ordering more as needed.

As a home health aide, you’ll report to a nurse supervisor or nurse case manager. The nurse is a resource for your questions and concerns. The nurse can also contact the agency physician if there are medical issues.

While some CNAs love the pace of providing full care to an individual patient, others find it boring. They don’t like having downtime or looking for ways to fill their time. It’s a personal choice, one that you need to decide for yourself.

3. Hospitals:

Hospital jobs are often at the top of the list for CNAs. The pay and benefits are good, and it’s fun to work with a variety of health care professionals. A CNA may be paired with a single nurse or assigned to a group of patients for the shift.

In a hospital, a CNA may have a different job title, such as technician. Duties can include taking vital signs, caring for catheters, transporting patients, keeping patients clean, and sitting with patients. In a large hospital, the CNA may escort families or help with discharging patients.

An exciting feature of working at a hospital is that most departments use CNAs, so your duties vary with the specialty. There may be job openings in departments such as obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, or emergency. Depending on the hospital’s transfer policies, it’s possible to switch to another unit or department after a certain amount of time and the approval of your supervisor.

A drawback of working at a hospital is that getting hired can be a challenge because there is less turnover than at other health care facilities. CNAs tend to enjoy the hospital environment and want to stay. However, don’t be discouraged.

Hospitals usually require CNAs with work experience. They want to know that you come both prepared and recommended. Put your application on file and follow the job openings on the hospital’s website. Apply for each spot that interests you.

If you live in an area where hospital CNA jobs are tight, consider becoming a volunteer at your favorite hospital.

If you live in an area where hospital CNA jobs are tight, consider becoming a volunteer at your favorite hospital. You’ll get to know staff members who can recommend you. And you will be able to include your volunteer experience on your job application … while you are helping others.

Don’t limit yourself and your career as a CNA. Be open to new opportunities—in fact, seek them out! Health care continues to change, and the CNA’s role will change with it. Get some experience and then explore the possibilities.