The basic pay structure of Certified Nursing Assistants differs from US state to state. CNAs are normally paid on hourly basis. Typically working in a big city is financially more rewarding as the Certified Nursing Assistants get higher hourly CNA salary compared to the salaries of their colleagues working as a CNA in rural areas. Of course prospective Certified Nursing Assistants must take into consideration the higher monthly expenses they will have in the bigger cities of the USA, so in general the higher CNA salaries earned in bigger cities are based on the overall much higher monthly costs and the higher demand for CNA professionals in these cities because of their bigger population. It is very important that the prospective CNA professionals make their decision where to start their CNA career not only based on the information about higher CNA wages in certain state/city of the USA, but in relation with their personal goals. Certified Nursing Assistant also gets paid on the basis of their experience.  Certified Nursing Assistants who have completed a CNA Training program and after that successfully have passed the CNA certification test for a particular state of the USA will have the legal right to start a CNA career with entry level salary, but if the CNA professional has additional training and certification higher CNA salary can be expected even at the start of the professional’s CNA career. Certified Nursing Assistants with more experience typically earn higher hourly CNA salary. Less experienced or inexperienced Certified Nursing Assistants can still expect to earn a hourly wage between $8 to $11.  For example any Certified Nursing Assistant with working experience of 12 months or more, can expect to get hourly salary of around $12 to $14. The CNA salary sometimes, depending on the institution where the Certified Nursing Assistant works, comes with additional benefits that add up to the CNA salary. Many nursing homes provide attractive benefits to CNAs and also pay hourly salary comparable to that in other big hospitals and provide free training.  Displayed below are typical average entry level hourly salaries of CNAs in some of the US states with great demand for Certified Nursing Assistants:

Pennsylvania $11.64
California $11.58
Florida $10.75
Illinois $10.45
Texas $9.84
North Carolina $9.73
Georgia $9.22

In order to get more detailed information about typical CNA salary levels based on different criterias, it is advisable the prospective CNA professionals who consider to complete CNA training program and pass the state CNA certification test to research sites such as PayScale to learn more about CNA wages.

In order to get CNA certification all the prospective Certified Nursing Assistants have to undergo training as well as pass CNA certification exam. Just because of the completed CNA training program and the CNA certificate obtained, prospective health care professionals can easily get better salary compared to that of  non Certified Nursing Assistants. Also if a prospective CNA have attended training provided by a health care institution, such as hospital, assisted living facility, adult day health center or nursing home, and has shown great personal and professional qualities, this fact can lead to higher CNA salary in that health institution even from the beginning of the CNA’s career, based on the judgement of the supervising professional who has performed the training. CNA salary statistics provided by PayScale.com clearly indicate that gaining on-job practical working experience can definitely help to increase  CNA’s salary.  Other important factor for salary increase is education. Based on the completed CNA education and additional training, health care professional employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant can get promotion or negotiate better salary.

After successful completion of the basic CNA training, a prospective Certified Nurse Assistant can undergo any of the various related certification and training programs available to enhance chances for a better salary.  CNA Certification Salary report by PayScale.com illustrates how certifications like Basic Life Support or Certified Nursing Administration can influence CNA salary.  It further discloses the difference between the salaries of Advanced Certified Nurse Assistants and regular CNAs. It is also advisable for a Certified Nurse Assistant with some CNA experience to consider investing time and money in a 2-4 year Nursing Degree in order to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Average CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) salary varies from state to state, and depends on the duties the CNA has and the institution in which the CNA works. Although there are some differences based on the mentioned facts there are nationwide standards for the CNA job description. The CNA provides a basic nursing service under the supervision of an Registered Nurse (RN) or an Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The CNA does not have the legal powers or responsibilities of a RN or an LPN, so that is why supervision is needed. The CNA job requires that the Certified Nursing Assistant care for patients or clients and report to the RN or LPN on the patient’s current health condition.

The CNA career is often seen as an entry-level position for a long-term career in the health care field. However, many Certified Nursing Assistants that have successfully completed CNA Training in the USA and after that have passed the CNA Certification test, prefer to stay at this position for years, as the CNA career is morally and financially rewarding, and that combined with the fact that relatively little training is required to start a career in the health filed, makes the CNA job a preferred career choice.

Certified Nursing Assistant duties include patients observation, monitoring of patient’s vital signs, help with meals and feeding when necessary, caring for the patient’s hygiene when required, mobilizing the patients to tests or therapy and catering to other patients needs. These job duties of the Certified Nursing Assistant usually occur in both hospitals and in long-term care facilities, but the patient in the latter facility often is referred to as a “resident”. Everyone interested to learn more about how long-term facilities are rated by the government can do so at Medicare.gov. Both the the Federal Nursing Home Star Rating System and State Adult Care Home Star Rating System provide a up-to-date information about the facilities, and were designed to provide both consumers and health workers with information to make informed decisions.

The job description and salary of the Certified Nursing Assistant is often defined by the difference in healthcare facilities. For instance, in the hospital environment, the CNA’s interaction with patients often are limited to the time spent by the patient in the hospital. Long-term care facilities, on the other hand, provide an environment where Certified Nursing Assistants can become well acquainted with the residents.

A Certified Nurse Assistant’s job becomes a career when the CNA decides whether to obtain further education. Otherwise, the only option for higher salary is to stay on the job for more than 4 years to take advantage of experience and cost-of-living pay raises. Further education allows the CNA to advance a career into nursing as an RN or as an LPN and start to earn even higher salary.

A typical CNA’s work shift usually lasts about 7.5 hours with a one-hour break. To earn additional income, many Certified Nursing Assistants work double shifts. Some Certified Nursing Assistants work a second job elsewhere, and can work 6 or even 7 days per week. Since no previous healthcare experience is required to become a CNA and only not extremely lengthy CNA training is required, this job usually pays between $9.50 to $12.00 per work hour for the first 4 years. A CNA who stays in this career for twenty months or more currently makes about $12.00 to $15.00 per hour. The mentioned hourly rates may vary depending on the type of facility and the state where the Certified Nursing Assistant resides. If the CNA has additional training and CNA certification, the Certified Nursing Assistant can earn higher salary because of that qualification and training.

Certified Nursing Assistants work under the supervision of a licensed nurses to provide daily basic care for patients. Certified Nursing Assistants provide both physical and emotional support for patients at homes, in hospitals, assisted living facilities, adult day health centers and nursing homes. The CNA aims to provide personalized assistance to patients who are unable to care for themselves and help them regain and maintain daily functions. CNA career may be difficult at times, but it is extremely noble and morally rewarding, as Certified Nursing Assistants play an important role in helping patients have a better quality of life.

In order to be certified and to be placed on the Nurse Aide Register of the state in which the prospective CNA resides, the prospective CNA needs to take a CNA training program through a local community college or hospital and prepare for the state CNA certification exam. The certification training programs vary in length, depending on the number of training classes per week, but they generally last from 2 to 6 months. Most courses require prospective Certified Nursing Assistants to have a high school diploma or GED. The CNA training and certification programs cover everything the prospective CNA needs to know in order to pass successfully  the CNA Certification test.

The CNA certification training courses include both hands-on experience at medical facilities such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, adult day health centers or nursing homes, and basic biology and health coursework with an emphasis on areas such as CPR, infection control, safety regulations and patient care. Because federal law requires Certified Nursing Assistants to demonstrate competency in 21 skills (tested in the state CNA certification exam), coursework focuses on preparing the prospective CNA in these competencies. The CNA training classes include recording of vital health signs, personal hygiene, basic nutrition and communication among others.

Successfully certified, a CNA may find nursing assistant positions in hospitals, hospices, assisted living facilities, physician offices, private homes, clinics, adult day health centers and nursing homes. With America’s baby boomers reaching retirement age, the demand for healthcare increases more and more each year. Employment prospects for CNAs are fantastic – in fact, home health aide is expected to be the fastest-growing occupation in the medical field through 2015. In just a few months of CNA training a prospective CNA could be ready to join this booming field, so this makes the CNA career extremely attractive.

CNA training provides great career opportunities in a morally and financially rewarding field.

Trying to outline few of the benefits of a CNA career we have pointed 10 good reasons to consider a CNA training and CNA career:

1. Noble and morally rewarding career – CNA career is perfect job decision for everyone wanting to have a meaningful life and career dedicated to helping others. Providing help to people in health condition that sometimes has put away even their closest relatives is extremely noble and morally rewarding. The CNA professionals often have more direct involvement in patient care than almost any other medical professionals and this involvement requires a lot of personal qualities different from the professional nursing assistant knowledge. A compassionate heart is a must have for every CNA and the rewards for the CNA professionals go far beyond what shows up on the weekly paycheck.
2. Growing demand – CNA carrer is one of the few fields where job opportunities and potential has exponential growth compared to the many industries where the job market is shrinking. CNA job potential is continuously expanding, thanks to aging baby boomers. These boomers account for about 30% of the population today. As they age they are creating a greater need for health Certified Nursing Assistants that have the skills and training needed to care for them and taking care of their medical condition. Completing CNA Training provides incredible stability and job security.
3. Free education – Hospitals, nursing centers, retirement homes and long-term care facilities in many cities across the USA offer free CNA Training in exchange for a specified length of service on the CNA job. Because of the high demand the education costs become higher, and for many prospective CNA professionals the availability of  free CNA training providing all the skills and knowledge required to become a CNA and pass the CNA certification test free of charge is a great opportunity to be trained and become a CNA. Free CNA training for many professionals is the only option to start morally rewarding CNA career and improve their financial situation.
4. Fast training – On average CNA training lasts from 6 to 12 weeks. This relatively short training period allows prospective certified nursing assistants to start CNA career and improve their income sooner than many other training programs of study. In order to get CNA training it is also possible the prospective CNA to take community college or junior college CNA training classes that will last an entire semester to train to become a CNA. It isn’t necessary though unless that is the environment in which the prospective CNA learns best. Many facilities offer much shorter and more intensive CNA training courses that allow students to take their CNA Certification tests and get to CNA work at a much faster pace.
5. Improved income – Certified Nursing Assistants get salary that averages between $20,000 and $30,000 a year. For the amount of training and education required for these CNA positions it is an excellent launching point compared to almost any career. CNA professionals doesn’t get nurse right out the door as a CNA, but the possibilities and income potential far outweigh the possibilities of countless list of many other career opportunities that most people without a four-year degree or some sort of highly specialized training are able to get.
6. Opportunities for advancement – Many medical facilities will offer tuition assistance and practical experience for advanced studies and training in nursing or other medical fields. C.N.A. position is the perfect entry level position CNA professional to get foot in the door for more advanced medical training and a much greater income potential in the health field.
7. Portability – While moving from US state to US state may require professionals in other fields to update their certification, CNA professionals have a job that is in high demand in almost every state of the USA. One of the great benefits of a CNA career is the fact that no matter where a CNA professional needs to move, the Certified Nursing Assistant will have experience that is competitive in a field that is in high demand. Almost every city in the USA has a need for qualified CNA professionals. Completing CNA training and successfully becoming a CNA grants every professional a career that doesn’t depend on the location where the CNA professional lives.
8. Provides preview of nursing experience – Working as a CNA provides students interested in a career in nursing the opportunity to decide if this is a good career choice for them, before investing years of expensive medical study at a medical college or university. For sure the nursing field is not for everyone – while there are many moral and financial rewards there are also many challenges. It takes a specific type of strong personality to be a nurse or a CNA. There’s no better way to understand how tough and challenging (apart from rewarding) the nursing/ CNA job can be, than to work shoulder to shoulder with other nurses. The CNA Training and afterwards a CNA career is the perfect way for deciding exactly that.
9. Options – Certified Nursing Assistants have a wide range of choices for work environments. Home health career is one of the options for every CNA as well as career in many different types of medical facilities. In addition to the many options in terms of location, CNAs are needed to help care for patients 24 hours a day. There is a wide range of extremely flexible options for days and hours to work in the CNA field and this flexibility adds to the benefits of a CNA career a lot.
10. Benefits – In addition to a slightly higher income potential, certified nursing assistants also receive benefits with many of the companies that hire CNAs. These benefits may include medical, dental, and retirement assistance. There are also other benefits that might not be as immediately recognizable such as tuition assistance or reimbursement for Certified Nursing Assistants taking classes to become LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) or RNs (Registered Nurses), that many facilities offer.

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All the CNA Training programs offered by the American Red Cross are perfect choice for prospective nursing assistants interested in a career in healthcare. Red Cross CNA training provides complete information and skills required to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). The American Red Cross CNA training programs follow a nationally-recognized Certified Nursing Assistant curriculum. State requirements for CNA certification differ from state to state, and Red Cross CNA training is designed to meet the requirements of the state in which the Red Cross chapter is located.

American Red Cross CNA training is available in 36 cities across USA.

A complete list of American Red Cross chapters that currently offer CNA training can be downloaded as PDF file here:

Red Cross CNA Training - Red Cross Chapters Offering CNA Training

The Red Cross is a logical place to get CNA training, because of its strong tradition of nursing. The organization has provided CNA training for more than two decades and has been involved in nursing for more than 100 years.

American Red Cross CNA training is available in 36 cities across USA. Red Cross CNA training provides all the information and skills needed to become a certified nursing assistant. The Red Cross CNA training course follows a nationally-recognized Certified Nursing Assistant curriculum. State requirements for CNA certification differ from state to state, and training is designed to meet the requirements of the state in which the Red Cross chapter is located. Course hours are defined according to the state requirements and as such clinical requirements may be longer or shorter in a particular US state.

Successful CNA training course completion requires full participation in classroom and skill sessions, as well as successful performance in skill and knowledge CNA exam. Prospective Certified Nursing Assistants must be advised that due to the nature of the skills in this program, participation in strenuous activities is required. If a prospective CNA have a medical condition or disability that may prevent him from taking part in a skill session, or if there are any questions about CNA’s ability to participate fully in this course, prospective nursing assistant must discuss them with the personal health-care provider and the appropriate person at the Red Cross chapter before starting the Red Cross CNA Training course.

The CNA exam consists of two parts – Skills Test and Written Test. The entire CNA exam can be completed in one day and takes approximately 5 and a half hours. The prospective CNA must successfully pass the Skills Test before taking the Written Test. The applicant is notified of the test results on the same day. Upon successful passing of the CNA exam the applicant will receive the State Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification shortly thereafter.

Some of the minimum requirements for all Red Cross CNA training class participants are:

• Prospective CNA must be 18 years of age or older
• Prospective CNA cannot have any felony convictions within the last 7 years
• Prospective CNA must be communicable diseases free
• If woman, prospective CNA cannot be pregnant
• In the event that the prospective CNA TB screening and/or background check does not clear, payment refund will be issued, less the screening fee. Once the prospective CNA has registered for the CNA Training course, the screening fee is non-refundable

The Red Cross CNA training class is ideal for everyone interested in a career in healthcare. Many registered nurses entered the healthcare field as Certified Nurse Assistants.

The goal of becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) can be achieved in Michigan state by getting CNA training in one of the many community colleges in the state or by completing the Red Cross CNA Training program offered by the local American Red Cross office.

CNA Training programs in Michigan:

This is a complete alphabetical list of CNA Training offered at Michigan’s Colleges based on up-to-date information from www.michigan.gov.

1. Bay De Noc Community College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

Bay College – Escanaba

2001 North Lincoln Road

Escanaba, MI 49829

Phone number: 906-786-5802

2. Gogebic Community College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

E-4946 Jackson Road

Ironwood, MI 49938

Phone number: 906-932-4231 or toll free 800-682-5910

3. Lansing Community College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

Lansing Community College

P.O. Box 40010

Lansing, MI 48901-7210

Phone number: 517-483-1957 or 800-644-4522

4. Montcalm Community College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

2800 College Drive

Sidney, Michigan 48885-9723

Phone number: 989-328-2111 or toll free 877-328-2111

5. North Central Michigan College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

1515 Howard Street

Petoskey, MI 49770

Phone number: 888-298-6605

6. Southwestern Michigan College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

Dowagiac Campus

58900 Cherry Grove Road

Dowagiac, Michigan 49047

Phone number: 269-782-1000 , 269-687-1600 or 800-456-8675

7. St. Clair County Community College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

323 Erie St.

Port Huron, MI 48060

Phone number: 810-989-5500 or toll free 800-553-2427

8. Washtenaw Community College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

4800 E. Huron River Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800

Phone number: 734-973-3300

9. Wayne County Community College

Program: Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Contact information:

Wayne County Community College District

801 W. Fort Street

Detroit, MI 48226

Phone number: 313-496-2600

Red Cross CNA Training in Michigan:

For complete information about the American Red Cross CNA Training and CNA Training in Michigan please read Red Cross Chapters Offering CNA Training. A new program named No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) has been launched. This program aims to train the prospective professional for becoming a CNA, LCP or PCA. All candidates who make under $40 000 a year can qualify for this training programs. More information about the free training is available with Michigan Works office.

For the prospective CNA, there are a variety of ways to obtain the qualification need to become a certified nursing assistant. Free CNA training is one of these ways. There are a number of options that the prospective CNA can take advantage of, in order to obtain nursing assistant training free of charge.

A lot of long term care facilities, nursing homes and even a number of hospitals offer interested prospective CNAs the option of free CNA training. Usually the free CNA training is offered as a condition of an agreement that comes with accepting free training from an organization or business.

It is rare for hospitals to provide free CNA training and most of the organizations and businesses that offer free training are nursing homes or long term care facilities. It is recommended for the prospective CNA interested in becoming a certified professional through a free training program, to contact the nursing homes and long term care facilities in the area, in order to find out which ones offer this type of free training program. Interested prospective CNAs need to do a brief research in order to locate the organizations that offer free CNA Training. It is recommended if the prospective CNA is able to contact the State Board of Nursing to get a list of approved CNA training programs. Getting this list helps a lot to narrow down the list of facilities to contact regarding free nursing assistant training.

Aspiring CNA must realize that the company or the organization that offer free CNA Training classes do so with the desire to prepare a well trained employee. If the prospective CNAs accept the chance to complete a free nursing assistant training program then the company that provides the CNA training will expect the program participants to accept employment at their facility after successful certification. The companies and organizations providing free CNA training will require that training participants stay employed at their facility for a specific amount of time. In some cases the prospective CNA may have to sign a contract agreeing to remain employed for a certain period.

If you, as prospective CNA, are looking for an opportunity to change your career and move into the medical field seeking free CNA training may be a good choice for you.

Just as it is with the paid CNA training programs, the free nursing assistant training provided will include both written and practical sections. In order to be state approved, all training programs must offer a minimum number of learning hours for both the classroom and the clinical portions of the program, so the choice of free CNA training program will provide the prospective CNA the same knowledge of the nursing assistant profession. The duties and the time needed to complete the training will be the same as if participating in a paid CNA training program.

After the prospective CNA has completed the free CNA training provided from a company or organization, the professional needs to successfully pass the CNA certification test in order to be certified to perform a CNA job. Some facilities will allow the professional to work in their organizations while waiting to take the test to become certified nursing assistant. Some facilities that highly value their employees will even pay for the prospective CNA to take the certification test. After successfully passing the certification test the CNA will work at the facility that has provided the free training and the fee for the certification test, for the period contracted.

The availability of free CNA training classes provide excellent alternative for the prospectives CNAs who want to enter the health care field but are concerned about the cost of training.

Being a certified nursing assistant (CNA) could be the career choice for everyone dreaming to work in a field that helps others. Along with the moral aspect of being a CNA, other positive side of a CNA career is the fact that a CNA job provides secure employment for the certified nursing assistants.

Finding a new job without proper training can be a very difficult task. Because of it’s nature, nursing is one field that requires great level of professionalism and proper training is obligatory. The reward for every professional that has gone trough a CNA training and after that CNA certification is a career in a secure filed. Certified nursing assistants are in high demand nationwide and this fact makes CNA training and CNA career extremely attractive for every professional.

In the health field there are many different careers and each of them requires a different type of training and different amount of training hours are involved in each training, depending on the level of care expected from the professional.

For those professionals who would like to begin a great career in a relatively short length of time, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) would be a great choice. For every professional who has a career goal of becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Registered Nurse (RN) in the future, working as a CNA can be a great stepping stone. Many Registered Nurses began working in the nursing field as certified nursing assistants. Surprisingly many registered nurses have completed their CNA Training through online CNA training programs and classes.

Online CNA training classes are offered by many accredited colleges/universities throughout the United States. The online training courses are run like regular college/university classes. The institutions that offer an online CNA training programs, usually allow prospective CNAS to tailor their schedule to fit their specific needs. An Online CNA training classes can be supplementary to the training classes a prospective CNA attend at a local institution, or can be the primary means by which a prospective CNA professional learn the skills needed. There are different types of available online CNA training classes. Some of the training classes only require the student research and submit papers or complete available exams. Others offer one-on-one time with a CNA training instructor either through a webcam or through live chat.

There are many online websites that are devoted to help those wishing to get an online degree in any practice field and these websites are a good place for every prospective CNA to start  online search. As a CNA, there are many sub-fields prospective CNA professional can specialize in. Websites such as these can help tailor training class schedules to fit individual needs for all the different specializations.

It is important to keep in mind that the state of residence will require from a prospective CNA to pass a state board exam in order to receive CNA certifification so it is advisable for a prospective CNA to check for all the requirements of the particular US state of interest, before participating in an online CNA training class.

It is also informative to know that some schools and institutions that offer CNA training classes online require students to physically attend some of the  training classes. This is most common with labs that teach hands-on techniques and procedures. Also in some cases, there are a set number of hours that a student must spend in live participation before they can receive their CNA certification so a prospective CNA must keep this in mind when scheduling CNA training.

Every professional that wants to become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) has to complete a CNA training program and successfully pass the state CNA Exam.

In order to be prepared for the state CNA Exam the prospective CNAs need to go trough CNA training programs and to participate in CNA Training Classes. By participating in CNA training programs they will gather all the knowledge needed, and all the techniques required to become a CNA will be shown to them. CNA training programs can be found through community colleges and medical facilities, including hospitals. Many states also provide Red Cross Certified Nursing Assistant Training Class.

The length of the training depends on the program and generally the prospective CNAs are taught by a registered nurses. CNA Training Classes can be run for two weeks, with additional month or more of practice CNA training to follow, depending upon the facility that runs the class.

During the CNA training classes the prospective CNAs are introduced to the basics of this job, but because of the nature of this career, the skills level improve when the nursing assistant starts to provide actual caregiving and gain more confidence.

The CNA test consists of two parts – written and clinical.

The written part of the test is for the prospective CNA to prove the knowledge gained in the field and the ability to provide competent help to patients and report correctly patient’s condition to the nurse or doctor in charge. For the clinical part of the exam, the students often are asked to bring someone with them to the test and this person will act as a model for the student to demonstrate clinical skills on.

There are a lot of qualities needed to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and they are very similar to the ones needed in nursing. The prospective CNA should be extremely patient, extremely caring and in many cases willing to do some physical activities.

No matter what qualities the prospective CNA has there is one that is the most fundamental of them all and the lack of which is a sure sign for wrong career decision – THE DESIRE TO HELP PEOPLE AND GIVE CARE, and there is no CNA Training class for this!