Certified Nursing Assistant

Are you tactful, patient and understanding?  Are you compassionate?  Do you have a desire to help people?  As part of a health care team, CNAs must possess all these attributes and have the willingness and ability to follow directions.  If this sounds like you, a career as a certified nursing assistant might be the right one; explore the possibilities now!

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) is a designation obtained from the state’s Department of Public Health (IDPH) for health care workers who help care for physically ill, injured, disabled, or infirm individuals in long term care, home health agencies or hospitals. They provide basic patient care under the direct supervision of the nurses responsible for providing direct patient care. The duties of a CNA may vary depending on the type of facility and type of patient being cared for, but may include: taking vital signs, assisting patients with bathing, eating, dressing, turning and repositioning bedridden patients to prevent breakdown of their skin, changing bed linens, recording amounts of oral intake and measuring urinary output, collecting specimens for tests; transporting patients and equipment as needed. 

Patient care technicians have a skill set similar to those of a CNA; however, these unlicensed workers are trained by their hospital employers to assist patient care activities as needed in designated hospital units.

Earnings:
Listed below are hourly/annual wages for both entry level and experienced certified nursing assistants and the annual median hourly/annual wage.**

Entry Wage               Median Wage             Experienced Wage           
Hourly Annual Hourly Annual Hourly Annual
$8.99 $18,691  $11.21 $23,322 $12.97 $26,977 

**Wage Data 2009, State of Illinois Department of Employment Security

Click here for a comparison of other health care occupation wages.

Work Environment:
Work as a CNA can be physically demanding. CNAs spend a lot of time walking and moving about. They must have sufficient strength to turn, lift and assist patients with movement. Because patients need care 24 hours a day, CNAs may have the flexibility to work evenings, nights and weekends.

Job Outlook:
Job prospects for CNAs are expected to be excellent in direct response to the increasing long-term care needs of an aging population.  

Education:
CNA training is intended for those who seek entry-level employment in the health care field. A CNA program may also be a prerequisite for students who need direct patient care experience as an admission requirement for a higher level health care program or for those who wish to test their interest in health care as a career. Individuals might also consider CNA training if they are interested in working in health care to support their education. Certification as a CNA is increasingly becoming a requisite as part of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) curricula.

Check with your local high school or vocational center to see if they offer a CNA training program. However, information about CNA programs at community colleges throughout the state are listed below:

Educational/Professional Requirements:
Nursing assistants/aides working in licensed and/or certified skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and home health agencies must be certified by IDPH.

The Health Care Worker Registry lists individuals with a background check conducted in accordance with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. In addition, it shows training information for certified nurse assistants (CNA) and other health care workers. It is maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health. However, there are a number of state and federal requirements individuals must meet prior to being listed on the registry as an Illinois CNA. Click here for details.

State Professional Organizations:
National Network of Career Nursing Assistants