What Is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?

A Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, is a person who assists patients or clients with healthcare needs under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Also known as a Nursing Assistant (NA) a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) or a State Tested Nurse Aid (STNA), the individual who carries this title also carries a high level of experience and ability; however, issues of liability and legality prevent the CNA from performing certain procedures.

Your title as a nursing assistant will vary depending upon where you work or live. In addition to the number of titles, nursing assistants can work in a wide variety of settings. Nursing homes, hospitals, adult day care centers, personal homes and assisted living facilities all require nursing assistants to act as a helpful liaison between the RN or LPN and the patient. In many cases, the nursing assistant serves as the RN’s or LPN’s eyes and ears.

The nursing assistant provides basic needs for patients of any age, ethnicity or gender as they work under supervision. Since nursing assistants have daily contact with patients, they are key to providing vital information about the patients’ conditions to their supervisors. This job sometimes is difficult, because the workload can become intense and fast-paced. But, many CNAs profess that this job is rewarding. A desire to help people and compassion for patients helps the nursing assistant during difficult days.

The successful CNA usually is engaged with patients and supervisors and feels essential to patients’ health conditions. Good interpersonal skills with an emphasis on being a team player are especially valuable traits for all health care workers, along with good training.

Most training for the CNA is accomplished through programs offered by the Red Cross, community colleges, online schools and through medical facilities. The latter option provides on-the-job training that is valuable for any nursing assistant. Many schools offer training within medical facilities as part of their course programs as well. All CNAs must take an examination before they become qualified nursing assistants.

Nursing shortages provide the nursing assistant many challenges, and turnover rates for this profession are high because of this shortage. On the other hand, this shortage provides more jobs for those who are intent on working in this job. The demand for CNAs is high, especially among those institutions that provide quality care to the elderly. Many health care facilities recognize the important role that a qualified and compassionate CNA can play in their quality of care offered. Additionally, a CNA can find support through organizations such as the National Association of Health Care Assistants.

The important thing to remember is that every state is different in regards to amount of time required for training and testing and the type of environment where you’d like to work. Before you begin your nursing assistant training, contact your State Nurse Aide Registry and/or State Licensing Board to learn about their requirements. You also might check the requirements for nursing assistants in any state where you’d like to work to make sure you meet those qualifications.

Top Online Nursing Assistant Colleges

Looking for the best online nursing nursing assistant college? Request information from any of the schools below by clicking on the button or logo and then filling out the form that follows.

AA Degree in Health Care AA Degree in Medical Records	University of Phoenix — AA Degree in Health Care. This program prepares a student for becoming a certified nursing assistant, who would then be qualified to become an integral part of a healthcare administration team in any number of healthcare settings. Related Phoenix programs: AA in Medical Records.
AAS Degree in Medical Assisting AAS Degree in Health IT AAS Degree in Medical Office Mgmt AAS Degree in Medical Transcription	Kaplan University — AAS Degree in Medical Assisting. The Kaplan University School of Nursing offers courses in a wide range of topics, including informatics, management, and community nursing care. Related Kaplan programs: AAS in health information technology, AAS in medical office management, AAS in medical office management.
AS in Medical Office Admin BS in Health Services Management	Virginia College — BS in Health Services Management. This bachelor's program provides an advanced degree for the medical assistant who is looking for a management role in his/her career. Related Virginia College programs: AS in medical office administration.
AAS in Medical Administration AAS in Health IT AAS in Human Services	Rasmussen College — AAS in Medical Administration. Students of Rasmussen's online medical administration associate's degree program will learn how to successfully manage a medical office by learning medical terminology, medical ethics, coding, and billing administration. Related Rasmussen programs: AAS in health information technology, AAS in human services.
AS Degree in Medical Assisting AS Degree in Health Services	Keiser University — AS Degree in Medical Assisting. Those who want to care medically for others, but are not drawn to being nurses or doctors should consider the medical assisting program at Keiser University. Related Keiser programs: AS in health services
AS in Medical Assisting AS in Health Information Mgmt AS in Medical Billing & Coding AS in Medical Office Admin	Herzing University — AS in Medical Assisting. Students of this program are trained in how to assist nurses and doctors in examination rooms and to perform routine lab tests, handle medical records, and file insurance forms. Related Herzing programs: AS in health information management, AS in medical coding and billing, AS in medical office administration.
AABA - Healthcare Administration AABA - Medical Billing & Coding	American InterContinental University — AA in Business Administration (Healthcare Administration). AICU's business administration degree with a concentration in healthcare administration prepares students for day-to-day operations of a medical or allied health office. Related AICU programs: AS in medical coding and billing.
AS in Healthcare Administration	Brookline College — AS in Healthcare Administration. This two-year program from Brookline College combines real-world business skills with intimate knowledge of today's fast-pace and high-growth healthcare industry. Students will learn ethical, legal, and business issues related to running a healthcare organization..
BA in Healthcare Administration	Ashford University — BA in Healthcare Administration. Ashford's healthcare administration degree is for the medical assistant or CNA who wants to advance his/her career and obtain a more managerial role.
AAS in Health Info Technology	Western Career College — AAS in Health Information Technology. Health information technology is one of the fastest growing career field for aspiring medical and nursing assistants. Students of this program will learn how to work with cutting edge equipment and record keeping found in hospitals, medical offices, and other healthcare environments.
AS in Clinical Medical Assisting	San Joaquin Valley College Online — AS in Clinical Medical Assisting. This program offers back office training to provide support to physicians as well as training to assist in direct patient care. Injection administration, CPR, first aid, and assisting in minor surgery are also learned here.
BA in Health Services Administration	Baker College Online — BA in Health Services Administration. Combining core course work with independent research, this program is designed for the working profession who wants to further his/her career in the general healthcare industry.
AAS in Medical Coding & Billing	Lincoln College — AAS in Medical Coding & Billing. The medical coding and billing associate's degree program from Lincoln College Online prepares students for jobs as entry-level coding and billing specialists. Skills learned include computer technology, state/local billing regulations, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.
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