Certified Nursing Assistant Pathway
CNAs provide basic care and help patients with activities of daily living. They work as part of a healthcare team under the supervision of licensed practical or licensed vocational nurses and registered nurses. CNAs are often the principal caregivers in nursing and residential care facilities.
The Importance of CNAs
CNAs provide primary care and assist patients with activities of daily living.
- Assist patients with personal hygiene, including bathing, dressing, and using the restroom
- Transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs as well as rotate patients in their beds
- Listen to and record patient’s health concerns and report that information to nurses
- Measure vital signs (blood pressure, temperature)
- Serve meals and assist patients with eating
- Transport patients to treatment units, testing units, operating rooms, or other areas, using wheelchairs, stretchers, or moveable beds
- Administer medications or treatments, such as catheterizations, suppositories, irrigations, enemas, massages, or douches, as directed by a physician or nurse
- Clean and sanitize patient rooms, bathrooms, examination rooms, or other patient areas.
Learn more about being a CNA, including employment trends, salary averages, and related skills at O*Net or CareerOneStop.
Pathway in Action
Lerato Zulu
Lerato Zulu’s journey from Cook to Operating Room Assistant at Legacy Health shows the power of the Education Fund in helping individuals unlock new opportunities and career advancement. With the support of the Education Fund’s CNA pathway program, Lerato completed her CNA 1 certification and was able to transition into a new department.
Thanks to this certification, Lerato secured a full-time position with additional benefits, providing her with a stronger foundation to support her family. She’s now taking prerequisite courses in preparation for enrolling in the Surgical Technology program this upcoming Spring semester, aiming to further enhance her skills and expand her career.
About her experience she says, “Thank you Education Fund for making my dream come true.”
Education or training requirements
To become a CNA you must:
- Pass a criminal background check
- Be at least 16 years old
- Complete a state approved training program that includes a minimum of 150 training hours
- Depending on school: day, evening and weekend options may be available
Accrediting Agencies
- CDPH (CA Dept of Public Health) for schools
Why accreditation is important: An accredited school has been reviewed by an industry organization to ensure that quality standards are met and maintained, providing some assurance of receiving a quality education. Some employers, licensing boards, and graduate schools will only accept credentials earned at an accredited school. Attending an accredited school will often increase your opportunities in the long run, as employers usually prefer to hire people who have graduated from accredited programs.
Certifications/licensure
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Competency Evaluation Examination
Please note: The above content is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace or provide any employer-specific requirements. Please be sure to check your employers’ job descriptions for specific requirements or consult your local HR department.
Interested?
If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, we encourage you to make an appointment with your Career Counselor/Regional Coordinator via MyEdFund, our secure, online member portal.
Please note that we receive a tremendous response to our education and training programs. Availability is not guaranteed and varies based on demand, available spots, and our partnerships with educational providers.
Your Career Counselor/Regional Coordinator can discuss these details with you and help you create an individualized education plan.