What Can You Do With a CNA License in 2025?

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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What is a CNA?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a certified healthcare professional who provides essential, hands-on care to patients. You are not just a "helper"; CNAs are the "eyes and ears" of the nursing team, delivering up to 90% of direct patient care. This role is fundamental to patient well-being, directly contributing to the daily comfort and safety of those in need.

CNAs differ significantly from Medical Assistants (MAs), who focus more on administrative tasks and basic clinical procedures, and Home Health Aides (HHAs), whose roles are primarily non-clinical and centered in private homes.

Your role as a CNA is distinctly clinical, making you an indispensable part of any healthcare setting. The demand is critical, with 98% of nursing homes reporting hiring difficulties, underscoring how vital CNAs are to patient care.

The Heart of Patient Care

CNAs are uniquely positioned to build trust and rapport with patients, providing continuous observation that is crucial for detecting subtle changes in their condition. This consistent presence enables you to report critical information to nurses, directly impacting patient outcomes.

This observational skill is a clinical tool, honed by empathy and diligent attention, making CNAs key data gatherers in a team-based care model. Your contributions are foundational to the entire healthcare system, setting the stage for a rewarding career.

What jobs can I get with a CNA certification?

With a CNA certification, you will find a wide range of employment opportunities within the healthcare sector. The largest employers for nursing assistants are typically hospitals and nursing care facilities, each accounting for 33% of the workforce. Hospitals often offer a faster-paced environment, while nursing care facilities provide more relationship-based, long-term care.

It's common to assume these are your only options, but the field is much broader. Choosing your work environment is a strategic decision that should align with your personality and career goals. The foundational experience you gain in any of these settings is invaluable.

Exploring Specialized Patient Care Environments

Beyond hospitals and nursing homes, other settings are increasingly seeking CNAs. For example, the trend of individuals "aging in place" has significantly boosted demand for home health services, offering a more autonomous work environment. Government facilities also provide stable employment with comprehensive benefits.

This foundational experience is crucial for countless specializations, with some nurses eventually pursuing highly advanced roles, such as those found in fast track online MSN nurse midwifery programs.

The experiences and insights gained as a CNA are highly transferable, preparing you for a diverse and evolving career. After discussing your job options, the next step is to examine the compensation associated with this vital role.

How much can you earn with a CNA certification?

The median annual salary for a CNA is around $38,200, but this figure is far from a fixed ceiling. Your income can vary significantly based on your work setting, with some government roles offering over $45,760 annually. It is a common misconception that the national average is a low, unchangeable number.

In reality, your choice of workplace is the single biggest factor influencing your earning potential. Understanding these differences empowers you to make strategic decisions that maximize your income from day one, directly addressing concerns about your return on investment.

How Your Workplace Impacts Your Paycheck

Analyzing the data reveals clear pathways to higher earnings. For instance, CNAs working in home healthcare services typically earn around $36,910, while those in government positions can earn up to $45,760. This difference highlights the importance of researching various sectors.

Wage compression and intense competition for skilled healthcare workers are prompting many employers to offer more competitive wages and bonuses. By strategically targeting higher-paying sectors, you can significantly boost your income. The chart below illustrates how median annual wages for nursing assistants vary by industry.

What is the job outlook for graduates of  CNA programs?

The job outlook for graduates of CNA programs is excellent, offering significant long-term career stability. The field is projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2033, which translates to approximately 216,200 job openings for nursing assistants each year, on average, over the decade. This isn't just an abstract concept of "high demand"; it represents tangible career security for you.

This robust demand is a direct result of enduring demographic trends, ensuring that your choice to become a CNA is a secure investment in your future. It significantly de-risks your career decision, providing a stable foundation for years to come.

A Career Built on Stability

The strong job outlook is fundamentally driven by what is often called the "Silver Tsunami"—the aging Baby Boomer population. This massive demographic shift guarantees that the need for healthcare professionals, particularly those providing direct patient care like CNAs, will remain high for the foreseeable future.

This isn't a short-term trend but a multi-decade reality that provides unparalleled career stability. Your skills will be continuously sought after, offering peace of mind and consistent employment opportunities. The chart below illustrates the projected employment change for nursing assistants.

Where can I work with a CNA certification?

While hospitals and nursing homes are common workplaces for CNAs, offering valuable experience, some of the highest-paying roles exist in less obvious sectors. It is a misconception that the job is the same everywhere, or that your options are limited to traditional patient care settings.

Your strategic choice of workplace can significantly impact your earning potential and overall job satisfaction. Thinking beyond the most apparent options can open doors to unique and rewarding opportunities.

Beyond the Bedside: High-Paying and Niche Roles

Consider sectors like junior colleges and the federal government, where CNAs can command significantly higher median salaries. For example, CNAs in junior colleges can earn around $56,960 annually, while those in the federal government can earn up to $52,400. These "hidden gem" jobs often involve supporting healthcare education, research, or administrative roles that require clinical knowledge.

Niche sectors outside of direct patient care value healthcare-savvy professionals and are often willing to pay a premium for your skills. For CNAs considering their next step, this experience can also serve as a launchpad toward broader healthcare roles. Many eventually transition into careers with an ASN degree in nursing, where the foundational CNA skills are built upon with advanced training in patient care, leadership, and clinical decision-making—leading to higher pay and expanded opportunities.

This provides an aspirational and strategic "pro-tip," empowering you to think beyond the obvious career path and maximize your income from day one. 

What skills do you need for CNA jobs?

To excel in CNA jobs, you need a crucial mix of both technical and soft skills to provide the best care.

• Technical Skills: These include taking vital signs, assisting with patient hygiene, safely moving and positioning patients, and accurately documenting observations. These are the hands-on tasks that form the core of direct patient care.
• Soft Skills: Crucial soft skills involve empathy, clear communication, keen observation, patience, and adaptability. Your ability to connect with patients, listen actively, and notice subtle changes in their condition are clinical tools.

Your soft skills are just as vital as your technical abilities, building trust and ensuring effective care delivery. For those thinking about long-term career growth, many CNAs later pursue additional credentials such as medical assisting. Research into medical assistant associate degree salary shows that advancing education often leads to higher earning potential and broader clinical responsibilities, making CNA experience a strong foundation for future opportunities.

Thriving in a High-Paced Environment

The reality of many CNA roles involves caring for a significant number of patients; for example, 36% of CNAs on first or second shifts care for 15 to 20 patients. This high patient load, a danger of the high-demand environment, makes your soft skills even more essential.

Empathy helps you connect quickly and efficiently, while strong communication ensures seamless teamwork. These aren't just personality traits; they are clinical tools that enable you to manage challenging environments effectively, prevent burnout, and provide the best possible care. Deploying these skills helps you thrive, even in demanding situations.

What are the education requirements to enroll in a CNA program?

Enrolling in a CNA program is a straightforward and accessible process. Typically, you will need a high school diploma or GED to begin. Once eligible, you will complete a state-approved training program, which usually ranges from 75 to 150 hours, followed by a competency exam. It is a misconception that all training programs are identical; choosing a state-approved program is crucial for certification and employment.

The relatively short duration of these programs makes a CNA certification a highly efficient way to enter the healthcare field. This low barrier to entry ensures that a fulfilling career in patient care is within reach for many.

Planning Your Educational Journey in Nursing

While the requirements for a CNA program are simple, it's helpful to understand how this fits into the broader nursing education landscape. Your CNA certification is a foundational step. The nursing education ladder can extend all the way to advanced credentials like a fast track online graduate certificate in nurse midwifery.

This contrast highlights just how manageable and low-risk starting with a CNA license is compared to more advanced degrees. The accessibility of CNA programs, including flexible online and hybrid options, makes this an ideal entry point for both career starters and changers.

What alternative paths are available for CNA certification? 

It's a common misconception that the only way to get your CNA certification is by paying for a course at a local college. While that is certainly an option, powerful alternative paths exist that can significantly reduce or even eliminate your training costs.

Many hospitals and nursing homes, for instance, offer free or paid training programs directly, often in exchange for a commitment to work for them after certification.

This "earn while you learn" model is a game-changer, especially if you are concerned about financial uncertainty or an income gap during a career transition. It provides a direct and practical solution to the financial barriers of entry. For example, just as people often ask "What can you do with a dental assistant certificate?" to explore practical and immediate job options, CNAs benefit from a credential that opens doors quickly to stable, in-demand healthcare positions.

The 'Earn While You Learn' Advantage

The prevalence of employer-sponsored education programs is a direct response to the systemic staffing crisis in healthcare. These programs represent a massive opportunity for you, allowing you to start a new career with zero training debt.

This strategic advantage resolves critical pain points like financial uncertainty for career starters and income gap fears for career changers. By taking advantage of these programs, you can gain valuable experience and a recognized credential without the upfront financial burden, setting a strong foundation for your future career.

What career paths are available to CNA graduates?

A CNA certification is far from a dead-end job; it is a dynamic entry point into a broad and expanding healthcare career. The most common and direct path for graduates is advancing on the nursing ladder to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN/LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). However, if nursing isn't your ultimate goal, other viable options exist for professional growth and specialization.

This credential provides a flexible foundation, allowing you to explore various avenues within healthcare and tailor your career trajectory to your evolving interests and skills.

The Foundation of a Long-Term Healthcare Career

Your CNA experience can lead to multiple paths for professional growth:

• The Nursing Ladder: This is the most direct path, with bridge programs specifically designed to transition CNAs to LVN/LPN or RN roles, building directly on your foundational experience.
• Specialization: You can deepen your expertise in specific areas, such as becoming a certified medication aide, or focusing on particular patient populations like geriatrics or pediatrics.
• Adjacent Roles: Leverage your patient care knowledge to move into positions like a medical assistant, patient care technician, or even roles with more administrative responsibilities.

The journey can even lead to highly specialized roles, requiring advanced degrees like the cheapest post master's certificate pediatric nurse practitioner online. The long-term demand for care professionals is reinforced by projections that 30.3 million older Americans will need care by 2050, ensuring continued opportunities across all these paths. The visual below highlights the projected increase in older Americans needing care.

How do you get started on your CNA certification? 

Starting your CNA certification is a clear and manageable process, not a complicated one. You can break it down into three main steps, making the goal feel achievable and reducing any potential information overload.

1. Find a state-approved program: This is the most crucial first step to ensure your training is recognized for certification. For many, the first step is to explore fast track online certified nursing assistant certificate programs.
2. Complete the training: Attend all required classes and clinical hours. These programs are designed to be efficient, getting you job-ready quickly.
3. Pass the competency exam: This exam assesses both your knowledge and practical skills, confirming you are prepared for the role.

Following these steps will effectively launch your career in healthcare.

Finding the Right Training Program for You

When selecting a program, look beyond just the basic requirements. Consider factors like pass rates for the competency exam, clinical placement support, and scheduling flexibility. Many programs now offer online components or evening/weekend classes, which are particularly beneficial for career changers with existing commitments. Choosing a program that aligns with your lifestyle and provides robust support will set you up for success, ensuring a smooth transition into your new role.

What advancement opportunities are available after a CNA certification? 

After obtaining your CNA certification, significant advancement opportunities await you in the nursing field. The primary path for career progression is to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN/LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). It's a misconception that you must start a 2- or 4-year degree from scratch. Instead, your CNA experience is highly valued and can be leveraged through accelerated "bridge" programs.

This strategic approach allows you to build upon your foundational knowledge and experience, moving efficiently towards higher-paying and more specialized roles. For example, registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $93,600, with a job outlook projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

With your experience and potential financial support, enrolling in one of the shortest CNA to RN bridge programs online is the most efficient way to advance. 

Is a CNA certification worth it?

The answer is an unequivocal yes. This credential offers the fastest, lowest-risk entry into a stable and in-demand healthcare career. It's a misconception to judge its worth solely by the starting salary; the value extends far beyond immediate income.

A CNA certification provides a strategic foothold in an essential industry, offering both immediate employment and clear pathways for future growth. It serves as a smart investment in your professional future. Much like home health aide certificate jobs that provide direct access to patient care roles in private residences or assisted living settings, CNA positions are valued for their quick entry and long-term stability in the healthcare workforce.

A Strategic Investment in Your Future

A CNA certification offers a multi-faceted return on investment.

Financially, it provides fast income and a pathway to higher earnings through advancement.

Career-wise, it gives you a stable foothold in a recession-proof industry with consistent demand.

Educationally, it allows you to "earn while you learn," often with employer support for further studies, making it a financially intelligent choice.

Personally, for those considering a career change, it acts as a low-risk "career test drive" into patient care.

This strategic mindset is shared by many in the field, with nearly 84% of CNAs expressing a desire for better wages and advancement opportunities. This credential is a savvy, strategic decision in today's economic landscape, valuing skilled, direct-to-workforce credentials.

Here’s What Graduates Have to Say about Their CNA Certification

Other Things You Should Know About CNA Certification

How do I find a state-approved CNA program?

You can find a state-approved CNA program by checking your state's Board of Nursing or Department of Health website. These official sources list all recognized training providers, ensuring your certification will be valid and setting you on a clear path to employment.

Can I transfer my CNA certification to another state?

Transferring your CNA certification to another state is often possible through a process called endorsement. You will need to contact the Board of Nursing in the new state to understand their specific requirements, which may include verification of your current license and a background check.

What are typical CNA work schedules like?

CNA work schedules can vary widely, offering different shifts like days, evenings, nights, or weekends. Many facilities provide flexible scheduling options to accommodate personal commitments, though 8-hour or 12-hour shifts are common.

How often do I need to renew my CNA certification?

A CNA certification typically needs to be renewed every two years, though specific requirements vary by state. Renewal usually involves completing a certain number of continuing education hours or demonstrating recent work experience as a CNA.