[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide patients with bedside care and hold an important role in healthcare teams. While most CNAs work in nursing care facilities and hospitals, there are many different options for CNAs to explore.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you a CNA seeking a new workplace, or are you considering a potential career as a CNA? This guide looks at the diverse work settings that employ CNAs to help you in your career path.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do CNAs Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Thanks to an aging population and expanded healthcare coverage, certified nursing assistants are in high demand in places like assisted living centers, hospitals, home healthcare, and clinics. The job growth rate for CNAs is much higher than average, indicating a promising employment outlook.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs can expect to take home an annual average [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/”]CNA salary[/hen-ui-link] of $32,050, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Benefits and signing bonuses can increase wages. Additional training and [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/best-types-of-nursing-specialties/”]specialty nursing certifications[/hen-ui-link] may also improve a CNA’s earning potential.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs are essential members of any healthcare team. A [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]CNA career[/hen-ui-link] includes duties like patient cleanliness and safety, assistance with daily tasks, and helping with patient mobility. They provide hands-on care, address patients’ needs, and advocate on patients’ behalf.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These skills apply to many work settings. The list below looks at specific CNA roles at each workplace.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. Nursing Homes[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Around 37% of CNAs work at nursing care facilities. These CNAs assist residential patients with bathing, dressing, eating, and moving around. They may also monitor patients’ vital signs, help them participate in social activities, and walk or wheel them outside for fresh air. Nursing home CNAs also provide residents with companionship and support.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing care facility CNAs earn a median annual wage of $30,120, according to the BLS.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. Hospitals[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS reports that 27% of CNAs work in hospitals, where they help registered nurses (RNs):[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Monitor patients’ blood pressure and temperature[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Turn and reposition patients in bed[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Address patient concerns[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the laws in their state, specially trained CNAs may also administer medication.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNA positions in hospitals pay a median annual salary of $32,160. Specialty CNAs can earn higher wages in intensive care, surgery, and emergency departments.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. Assisted Living and Retirement Communities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Generally, residents in assisted living facilities and retirement communities do not need 24-hour medical care. Instead, they receive assistance tailored to their needs. These facilities employ 11% of certified nursing assistants.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some residents need help with basic activities such as bathing, eating, and mobility. Others can live independently but need monitoring for health conditions. In these settings, CNAs may also perform light housekeeping duties like tidying up a room and making beds. They also help patients visit common areas and dining rooms.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNAs who work in continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities earn a median salary of $30,020.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4. Home Healthcare[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the BLS, 5% of CNAs work in home healthcare. Like [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/home-healthcare-nurse//”]home health nurses[/hen-ui-link], these CNAs visit patients at their homes. CNAs can help with daily activities like:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Preparing and serving meals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Bathing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Light cleaning[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other grooming needs[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With home healthcare CNAs, patients can remain in their own homes and out of hospitals or assisted living facilities. CNAs may also assist home healthcare RNs with medical care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These CNAs often interact with patients’ families and friends. Some may even drive patients to doctor’s appointments, run errands, and socialize with them.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Home healthcare [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/cna/salary/”]nursing assistant[/hen-ui-link] jobs pay a median annual salary of $29,210.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5. Government Facilities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]BLS statistics show that just 4% of CNAs work for the government. The federal government hires CNAs to work in:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Veteran Affairs community living and medical centers[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Agencies like the Indian Health Service[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Military hospitals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]State and local public health agencies and clinics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Job duties vary depending on whether CNAs work in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pay and benefits in government positions tend to be more competitive than average, drawing a median annual salary of $37,240.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]6. Schools[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These CNAs assist licensed [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/school-nurse/how-to-become/”]school nurses[/hen-ui-link]. They perform the following:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Provide first aid[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administer doctor-prescribed medications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Call parents or caregivers when children become sick at school[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep records of student visits to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/school-nurse/how-to-become/”]school nurse[/hen-ui-link]’s office[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Contact emergency care providers and physicians when necessary[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Assist school nurses with health education presentations and safety training[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ZipRecruiter lists the average annual salary for school nurse assistant jobs at $40,280 as of August 2021.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]7. Clinics[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Urgent and [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/acute-care/”]acute care[/hen-ui-link] clinics hire CNAs to help nurses and physicians prepare examination rooms, take patients’ vital signs, and provide basic medical care. CNAs with additional training and certification may work in specialty clinics, where they carry out duties like drawing blood and administering electrocardiograms.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Certified_Nurse_Assistant_(CNA)/Hourly_Rate/9f51f53f/Acute-Care” target=”_blank”]August 2021 data[/hen-ui-link] from Payscale, CNAs with acute care skills typically earn an annual average salary of $31,230.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]8. Hospice[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hospice CNAs work in a team, where they help [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/pros-and-cons-of-hospice-nursing/”]hospice nurses[/hen-ui-link] and physicians care for terminally ill patients. They provide [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/palliative-care-nurse/”]palliative care[/hen-ui-link] in a patient’s own home or in hospice or long-term care facilities. They also comfort and assist patients’ family members.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These CNAs can:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Assist patients with daily hygiene[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prepare meals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Monitor patients’ health[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administer medications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to ZipRecruiter, hospice CNA salaries average $33,770 a year as of August 2021.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]9. Traveling CNAs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/careers/travel-nurse/salary//”]Traveling nursing[/hen-ui-link] assistant jobs may be ideal for nursing assistants interested in flexibility, variety, and competitive pay. Traveling CNAs visit patients in their own homes, traveling locally and regionally to fill positions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/travel-nurse/”]travel nursing,[/hen-ui-link] these CNAs receive work assignments through an agency. They help patients with daily activities, record medical information, and communicate with patients’ doctors and family members.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/traveling-cna-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm” target=”_blank”]Glassdoor reports[/hen-ui-link] an average base salary of $35,420 as of August 2021 for traveling CNAs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]10. Private Practice[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nursing assistant jobs in doctors’ offices have regular business hours, with no night shifts. In larger practices, CNAs may prepare exam rooms, check patients’ vital signs, and record medical histories and other information. CNAs who work in smaller offices might schedule appointments and answer the phone.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to ZipRecruiter, CNAs who are employed in doctors’ offices earn an annual average salary of $32,960.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Articles[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]How to Get CNA Training[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/cna/reasons-to-choose-a-career-as-a-cna//”]18 Reasons to Choose a Career as a CNA[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//lpn-vs-cna/”]Should I Become an LPN or a CNA?[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”font-size: small;font-style: italic;”]Feature Image: JGI / Tom Grill / Getty Images[/hen-ui-text]