Starting Your Journey: Key Steps To A Successful Nursing Assistant Career

If the idea of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) had come across your mind you should know things: that it’s a great idea and that other people have come across the same idea. The position is a valuable entry point into healthcare and shines as far as job security goes. 

The statistics are there as well, to support claims of such high popularity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics makes a very optimistic estimate that employment for nursing assistants will grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032. During those 10 years that would mean around 66,000 new nursing assistant jobs. Such overwhelmingly optimistic expectations for the volume of positions exist due to sad trends – the population is getting older on average and, as a logical consequence,  a bigger need for long-term care services..

Photo by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash

All of this puts CNAs in the rather enviable position of finding work easily in pretty much every healthcare sector they are interested in working. These work options mainly consist of hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes. Time for some numbers again –  the median annual salary was $61,008 in 2023, the role can be a potential stepping stone to more advanced nursing careers. 

Since there is such a big interest in the positions we have decided to outline the key steps to help you start and succeed in your journey as a CNA.

How To Start Your Career As A Nursing Assistant

First of all, if you’re interested in being a CNA the time to get into the field is now. The demand is high, the job options are great and you’ll probably have the chance to get promoted or move into positions like Registered Nurse (RN) down the line. 

But how do you actually get to become a CNA? Well, the first thing you’ll need to do is get a certification, then get an actual job and then maintain your skills. 

In this piece, we will cover all of the steps we mentioned with a focus on online tools that can aid in your preparation and career growth.

CNA Tests to Prepare for the Exam

While there are many competencies you’ll need to be a CNA, one is 100% unavoidable – you will need to pass the CNA certification exam if you want to get a job as a CNA. No surprises here – the exam will test and grade both your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. As with any exam, thorough preparation is key to success. Luckily there are ways you can prepare for the test so that you go into that arena prepared.

1. Access To Mock Tests: MedicalHero provides free CNA mock tests designed to mimic actual exam format closely. You’ll encounter multiple-choice questions about the standard fare CNA topics – patient care, ethics, infection control and safety measures. With these simulated tests you’ll get a feel for the type of questions you can expect once you do the actual certification test
2. Real-Time Feedback And Progress Tracking: After completing each test you will there’s a section with feedback –  which is priceless for any preparation process. No surprises here either – with the feedback you’ll be able to identify the curriculum you’ve covered well and the stuff you haven’t, and improve what needs improving. Progress tracking also helps you stay motivated and measure how much you have learned over time and how much there’s still left to cover. Don’t obsess over it though, the key is to keep the ball rolling.
3. User-Friendly Platform: You’ll be able to navigate the platform easily, which is just great for all students. That approach is ideal for both beginners and those who want to review their knowledge before taking the actual exam. While you could use the platform to study outright, we still advise that you focus on studying on different platforms and use this one for testing.

Preparing for the CNA exam with the right tools can make a significant difference in your performance. Utilising a test platform like MedicalHero gives you the confidence and knowledge needed to pass the exam and move forward in your CNA career.

Leverage Nurse.org for Career Insights and Job Opportunities

So you’ve passed your CNA certification exam – kudos to you! We can safely expect that you will now want to put that certificate to good use and find employment. Nurse.org provides job listings but also offers career guidance tailored to nursing assistants.

• Job Listings And Employment Resources: The platform is widely known for extensive job boards. You’ll be able to find job openings in all the usual suspects of healthcare institutions – hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies. The jobs can be filtered based on location, salary, and work environment, so you can find a job that works for you.
• Career Guides And Advice: The site can also help you prepare for job interviews and write the perfect resume with any skill level. You’ll also be able to catch insights into the daily life of CNAs, including what to expect on the job and tips on how to survive and thrive in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Networking And Community Support: You might think forums are dead, but the on Nurse.org seems to be doing all right. It’s a place where CNAs and other healthcare professionals connect, share experiences, and offer advice. If you want experienced advice forums like these are the place to go.

By leveraging the resources offered by Nurse.org, new CNAs can better understand the job market, network with industry professionals, and access practical advice that can help them excel in their careers.

Explore Australian CNA Learning Resources for Advanced Education

If you’re located in Australia and are looking into becoming a CNA we have good news for you. Australia provides a variety of resources for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to be. In Australia they are also known as Assistants in Nursing (AINs) or Aged Care Workers. Below you’ll find some key learning platforms and regulatory bodies to help CNAs build their skills and maintain their qualifications.

• Interactive Learning Modules: The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) offers a veritable treasure trove of online information on becoming a CNA. They also have Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules on offer. These modules are focused on key topics like infection control, patient safety, and ethics (all of the essentials we mentioned before). They also offer interactive tools such as quizzes and case studies for practical skills​​.
• Regulatory Knowledge and Certification Information: Regulatory requirements are often updated which has an effect on the day to day of CNAs and creates a requirement to stay updated with them. They are able to do so by following the updates from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The AHPRA set health practitioner standards, which basically means they dictate the rules of how each and every CNA works across the country. They manage annual registration renewals and ensure CNAs meet ongoing education requirements.
• Continuing Education and Career Advancement: CNAs are often faced with the need to maintain their certification to keep progressing in their careers. In order to meet these requirements CNAs use platforms like ANMF and other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). These organisations are varied and offer CPD courses that allow CNAs to specialise in specific fields. This means you can specialise in dementia care or palliative care. The flexibility of online learning options from ANMF allows CNAs to study at their own pace and meet mandatory CPD hours​​.

By using these resources, CNAs in Australia can stay informed about regulatory requirements, improve their skills, and explore opportunities for career advancement. Access to practical tools and techniques, such as those that promote patient comfort, can also enhance the quality of care. Staying updated on these resources helps CNAs better serve their patients and may open doors to more specialized roles in healthcare.

Photo by Irwan on Unsplash

Wrapping up

In this, we’ve given a quick overview of some of the online tools you can use to either get into a career of a CNA or to bolster it, depending on your needs. Our overview is not the end of the line by any stretch of the imagination. You can find many other learning resources online and most of them are but a Google search away. 

Once again, if ever there was a good time to get into the career of a CNA, now is the time to do it – so don’t hesitate.