Employee benefits sometimes go under the radar when people are looking for a career. It’s easy to look at the salary offered and make a decision based solely on that number. However, savvy job hunters are very familiar with the additional value a job can carry with a robust list of benefits attached to it. Certified nursing assistants are seen as entry level positions in the medical field. However, those working as CNAs can take advantage of the benefits that are offered with the role, thereby saving money that people in other positions with comparable wages would have to spend out of pocket.

Medical expenses can be a serious financial challenge, even for those in good health. Most CNAs are offered medical insurance packages that can not only help employees save money on doctor’s office visits and prescriptions, but can also provide a bit of serenity in your day to day life as accidents tend to happen when they are least expected, and any program that decreases stress is an asset.

Dental and vision plans are also commonly offered to CNAs, which is an additional perk. Dentist and optometrist visits are some of the most often skipped medical appointments as they are costly and many people opt not to pay for preventative or diagnostic care. Instead waiting until a toothache reveals the need for a costly procedure or they find themselves squinting in traffic, CNAs can take advantage of their benefits in order to make these crucial visits more affordable.

Life and disability insurance are also very often part of a CNA’s employee package. While these two benefits are, thankfully, the least commonly used, they afford people a peace of mind that few jobs at a similar level can provide.

An unspoken benefit to working in the medical field is job security. While high paying roles in technology and other business industries are both coveted and profitable, they are subject to the whims of forces outside of your control. Corporations may have to lay off employees after a particularly bad year. The poor decision making of a few high powered individuals may force a company to shut down. Additionally, economic recession and instability can wreak havoc on peoples employment. Thankfully, CNAs are one of few careers that are often deemed “recession proof.” The need for medical staff and services are not at the mercy of shareholders, the stock market, or politics, making for a degree of stability that is unheard of in almost all other fields.

Did you know that In-Pulse CPR now offers CNA classes?

As an entry level position in the medical field, certified nursing assistants make, on average, between $24,000 and $32,000 a year, or around $12 to $15 an hour depending on location. Considering the fact that being a CNA requires a certification process and not years of costly tuition, it can be an excellent career choice for those who are considering a more advanced future in medicine and would like to get a feel for the industry. CNAs are also often offered good benefit packages such as medical and dental insurance which is an additional value.

Many CNA positions are flexible and can work within various schedules. Oftentimes shifts are offered at various times of the day and night. Many CNAs take advantage of this flexibility in order to work full time while still furthering their education goals and career aspirations. It is not at all unusual for a CNA to work their shift during the day and take classes at night. Alternatively, some people choose to schedule their work during the nighttime hours. Depending on the type of facility one is working in, help is typically needed at all times of the day, seven days a week leading to a good environment for those who have unorthodox or particularly full schedules.

People who work as CNAs will find their job to be busy, active, and varied. While many CNAs work in hospital settings, they are also needed in retirement communities, daycare centers, nursing homes, rehabilitations centers, clinics, and long term care facilities. This provides an additional degree of flexibility as your certification will allow you to seek employment in a setting that interests you the most and also potentially change facilities if you find your first choice was not the most idea fit or have new goals. The work is more fulfilling and meaningful than a typical day job, and CNAs can be proud that their time is being put towards bettering the lives of others. Working as a CNA provides real world experience that can be an asset when it comes time to seek further or outside employment. Those with experience in medicine are universally well respected as the field carries with it a tremendous degree of responsibility, compassion, and dignity.

Gaining employment as a CNA can not only be a gateway to more advanced work, but also an opportunity to build your resume, earn money, and expand your horizons in a work environment that has positive goals and meaningful purpose.

Did you know that In-Pulse CPR now offers CNA classes in Tampa area?

Every profession has its perks. Some come with free coffee. Others, a company car or the ability to travel on the job. Certified nurse’s assistants (CNAs) have a unique set of perks to their line of work. Aside from the obvious benefits of helping people become healthy and working in the service of others, CNAs get to experience collaborating with and meeting a wide range of other people in differing fields. From doctors and specialists to orderlies and maintenance staff, the professional life of a CNA can be a revolving door of characters and personalities, all bound together under the umbrella of making life better for those who are struggling.

It’s important to engage with these people to learn about their background, professional history, and motivation. Many may have once been CNAs themselves, as working as a CNA provides a platform of experience in the medical field with which to build on should you pursue higher level employment in nursing or medicine. Taking courses and reading books provide knowledge, but they don’t provide culture in the way that experiencing a fully functioning, living, breathing medical facility does. As a CNA, you are in the business of people. Listening to them, talking to them, and interacting with them on a range of levels from the highly professional to the deeply personal.

Illnesses and injuries know no class, creed, or heritage and you will therefore meet patients from all walks of life as well, each with a story to tell. Few things bring out humanity more effectively than people in need.

Even “bad” interactions or experiences with people that feel negative can have a positive impact on your way of thinking in the long term. Empathy, integrity, and understanding are traits rarely developed under carefree, breezy circumstances. These virtues are forged with practice and patience and require one to imagine themselves in the position of someone else and accept that we often know very little about the people we encounter. People are rarely in a bad mood for no reason, and this understanding can be utilized both in your career as a CNA and as a general rule.

There are few professions where someone has access to the diverse cross section of humanity that a CNA does. Our relationships with those around us is what enriches our time and helps give us meaning. We may have our minds changed during a lively debate, or we may decide to redirect the focus of our lives after meeting an influential colleague or patient. In some cases, we may simply find someone with similar interests who can keep up in a conversation about a favorite TV show. As a CNA, you will have ample opportunity to allow these interactions to inform you, educate you, and provide you with experiences you can apply to all corners of your life.

Did you know that In-Pulse CPR offers CNA classes?

We all want to help our friends and family. From assisting with chores to figuring out taxes and running errands, there are many ways in which people give assistance to those they care about. Those who work in medicine are uniquely equipped to provide care to their loved ones when they may need it, even under the most unexpected circumstances. Anyone lucky enough to have a doctor, nurse, or nursing assistant in their family or close circle of friends has at least one story of when that person was there to help in an emergency situation, or at least provide some guidance and reassurance during times of trouble or concern.

Giving gifts to others is something we all love to do. Providing financial help or buying presents is an effective way to show our feelings for others, but there is something special about being able to effectively asses and look after those who you love when they are injured or fall ill. Emergency situations can become deescalated under the supervision of someone who is experienced in treating people while EMTs are on their way to the scene. There is comfort for others in knowing they can count on you to be present in the face of a health scare when every minute counts.

As a certified nursing assistant (CNA), you will develop a level of care and understanding that you will find yourself reaching into time and time again in situations that go far beyond the workplace environment. Applying the patience and dedication required to work as a CNA has applications in all other aspects of life, whether it means being a good, generous listener, or simply being able to hone in on life’s priorities over the multitude of life’s little aggravations. The skills necessary to be an effective CNA are also the skills required to be an effective, productive friend, spouse, or family member.

As there are a handful of medical professionals in my family, I can personally attest to the fact that they are often consulted and never hesitate to dispense helpful advice and knowledge. From examining questionable skin abnormalities to jumping into action when an elderly family member recently fainted, their brains are often picked and their expertise is a veritable swiss army knife of experiential knowledge and know how. Being a CNA allows for a new, meaningful outlet in which to assist those close to you. Knowing that you are available and valuable during periods of crisis or stress will make you the hero of the family. In some cases, it may even save a life.

Did you know that In-Pulse CPR offers CNA classes?

For many, employment can be an existential burden. A necessary usage of our precious time in order to maintain our lives and amass the financial and social resources needed to enjoy ourselves while not on the job. Work can, at times, feel a meaningless grind without real merit or substance. However, this is not a problem that a certified nursing assistant (CNA) faces.

As a CNA, your duties impact the lives of other people in ways that many other forms of employment cannot. When directly involved in the wellbeing of those who require your help, your contributions and dedication will be felt not only by those under your immediate care but by their friends, family members, and loved ones. Your work will reverberate far beyond just one person, and those who are practicing CNAs are consistently on the receiving end of reciprocal gifts, cards, and appreciation.

CNAs often develop relationships with their patients. There is a sacred trust between the caregiver and the recipient in the medical world that fills a void that remains empty in other fields. While you may really hit it off with Carol in Human Resources working a desk job, the relationships formed between patients and CNAs is on a very honest, human level.

Often times CNAs work with the elderly. These are quite frequently people who will need assistance and care for the rest of their lives. Many will have stories to tell and family members to meet. Some, unfortunately, may not. The emotional impact of a CNA’s work cannot be overstated under these circumstances where the warmth, dignity, and responsibility of a CNA will be felt deeply, and the relationship regarded highly.

While there is always honor to be had in a job well done, there are few feelings quite like the satisfaction of helping someone else feel better. CNAs can expect to have a great deal of pride in their work as a result of being a positive force for good when and where people require it the most. Providing care for others is an affirming experience that reminds us to value life’s important moments, cherish our time, and prioritize. It teaches patience, humility, and empathy and rewards the practitioners of these virtues with a fulfilling career in the service of a greater purpose.

Did you know that In-Pulse CPR offers CNA classes?