Do you have a passion for serving others? Or maybe you have an interest in working with older adults? A career in healthcare as a certified nurse aide (CNA) may be an ideal fit for you. It will give you a chance to put your caring spirit to good use!
Certified nurse aides are a vital part of the healthcare continuum. You’ll find this group of professionals working in hospitals, nursing homes, short-term rehab centers, assisted living communities, hospice, home care and more.
While these jobs can be a lifelong career for many, others might consider the CNA role as a stepping stone to other opportunities in the healthcare field. You could go on to become an LPN, RN, Unit Manager or Activities Director, or to advance your career in the senior care field in some other way. In the growing fields of healthcare and senior living, starting your career off in a position that allows you to learn the ins and outs of caring for patients and residents is an invaluable experience.
A Day in the Life of a CNA
CNAs support patient care in a variety of ways, depending on the setting. A few examples of how CNAs spend their workday include:
- Assisting with bathing, dressing and grooming tasks such as hair care, brushing teeth and shaving
- Helping patients at mealtimes, including transporting them to the dining room and assisting them with eating and drinking
- Repositioning and transferring patients from a bed to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to the toilet
- Tracking patient vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, and recording observations
- Preparing rooms for new patients and restocking supplies
- Answering patient call lights and assisting in fulfilling requests
Those who choose to join the team at American Senior Communities (ASC) can even get paid while training to become a CNA. To help you decide if this career path at ASC might be for you, here’s a quick look at what’s involved.
Training for a Career as a Certified Nurse Aide
The ASC Nurse Aide Training Program is a paid opportunity that requires no previous experience—just a commitment to providing compassionate care to patients and residents. Because we believe in promoting from within, this can be a great first step to a lifelong career.
As part of this program, ASC provides virtual and in-person training, clinical experience, uniforms, textbooks and study guides. ASC pays nurse-aides-in-training as they work toward completing 30 hours of classroom education and 75 hours of on-the-floor clinical experience.
The first step is to apply for a nurse-aide-in-training position at an ASC community. CNA classes last approximately 30 days, and newly enrolled classes begin twice each month. Upon completion of the program, trainees will complete state certification testing and become a certified nurse aide.
If this sounds like a good fit for your interests and career goals, visit our Career Center online to search for an open training position near you.
Have More Questions About the Certified Nurse Aide Program?
If you have questions about this program and a career with ASC, you’ll likely find the Nurse Aide Training Program FAQ to be a helpful resource. It has answers to many of the questions people commonly ask, from class times to locations.
