As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you’ll play an important role for the entire health care team. While you may think this entry level position provides limited opportunity for growth and patient care, in reality, CNAs are responsible or variety of high-impact tasks for both patient and physicians. Although you may be tempted to overlook this rewarding and in-demand career, let’s take a look at 8 reasons why you should become a CNA.
#1 – Make a Tangible Difference
You’ll be working directly with patients, their family and loves ones as well as with the entire nursing team. Ultimately, this means you’ll have daily opportunities to make a real difference in both personal and professional lives.
#2 – Unique Opportunity for Specialization
One of the most desired benefits of being a CNA is having the opportunity to investigate the various nursing specializations. If you’re interested in expanding your nursing career, but aren’t sure what to specialize in, a career as a CNA lets you gain first-hand experience and observation for almost every nursing specialty.
#3 – Affordable Healthcare Career Training
Studying to become an RN or other medical professional is notoriously expensive. Thankfully, you can learn while you earn when you become a CNA. Not only are CNA training programs affordable, but they set the foundation for future training. Along with being cheaper, CNA certificates are often only several months long. This means you’ll save money and get to work faster than any other nursing career.
#4 – Stable Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing assistant jobs are expected to grow by 11% by the year 2026. In some studies, industry growth is actually projected to be as large as 20%, which is incredible. If you’re looking for solid job security, you’ll get this and more as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
#5 – Workplace Flexibility
As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you have the opportunity to work in a wide range of workplaces and sectors. For example, you can be employed in a quaint retirement community, at a rural healthcare clinic or at a leading hospital in a major US city.
#6 – Transferable Collage Credits
In many BSN programs, your experience and training as a CNA may be used as an acceptable form of transferable credits. This means you won’t have to take as many courses or spend as much tuition should you decide to progress your nursing education.
#7 – Easier Nursing School Acceptance
By working as a CNA, you have verifiable experience as a nurse in the healthcare field. If your long-term plan is to become a Registered Nurse, working as a CNA for a year or two boosts your chances at being accepted by leading nursing schools. Due to the fierce competition some programs have, having CNA on your resume can give you the leg-up needed for acceptance.
#8 – Unparalleled Career Networking Opportunities
While not the primary reason many become a CNA, professionals in this field are able to develop serious and long term relationships with other medical staff professionals. These connections are invaluable as you maneuver your way throughout the nursing industry.
