



CNA Employment – High Demand Projected for Certified Nursing Assistants

The prospects for the demand for CNA employment and orderlies employment in the coming years are excellent. The demand is projected to be high in the coming years, and this is partly a consequence of the aging population. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9 percent growth rate in the 10-year period 2018 to 2028, and this is higher than the average of 5 percent over all occupations. In 2018 there were more than 1.5 million people employed as CNAs, about 51,000 employed as orderlies.

The salary of CNAs and orderlies varies by state. You can use this salary tool to find the lowest, highest, and median wage in your state. Checkout the tool at the end of this article to find schools were you can complete training to become a CNA. Nursing assistants must embark upon and successfully finish state-approved education and training to obtain certification. A degree is not a prerequisite requirement.

Certified Nursing Assistants work in a variety of environments, providing care for patients. Duties include: measuring vital signs of patients (blood pressure, temperature), sometimes administering medication; turn, reposition, and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs; serve meals and assist patients eating; assist patients with bathroom needs; listen to patients’ health concerns and report them to a nurse; cleaning and bathing patients and helping them dress. The nature of the job requires compassion, patience, stamina and dedication. The reward from making a positive difference to people’s lives can be great.

Some CNA employment statistics: In 2018 38 percent of CNAs were employed in nursing care facilities, 27 percent in hospitals, 11 percent in retirement communities and assisted living facilities, 5 percent in home healthcare services, and 4 percent in the government. A large majority of orderlies (79 percent) worked in hospitals, 6 percent in nursing care facilities, 6 percent in ambulatory healthcare services, 2 percent in government, and 1 percent in retirement communities and assisted living facilities.