For individuals who are interested in entering the healthcare industry, two entry-level roles to pursue come to mind: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Geriatric Nursing Assistant. Both roles provide direct patient care and are among the most popular options for those who want to pursue a nursing or even a nursing leadership career in the future.
In this article, we take a look at the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications unique to becoming a CNA or a GNA so you can choose which role resonates best with you and your career goals.
CNAs and GNAs: Job responsibilities and tasks
CNAs and GNAs typically help Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) with physical and complex direct patient care tasks. These include helping patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as:
· Helping patients turn or move
· Bathing, cleaning, and grooming patients
· Gathering and stocking necessary medical supplies
· Checking patients’ vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, oxygen, respiration rate, and pulse rate)
· Documenting information
· Cleaning rooms and bed linens
· Feeding patients
· Transporting patients
· Assisting nurses with certain tasks or procedures
· Communicating with patients
· Collecting specimens
It’s important to note that these roles can be highly strenuous and physically demanding. This is why it’s important for individuals pursuing any of these roles must understand proper body mechanics to avoid getting musculoskeletal injuries.
What’s the difference between CNAs and GNAs?
Although CNAs and GNAs mostly have the same job responsibilities and both must have a CNA certification (more on this later), there are two main differences between these roles.
Firstly, there are some states where CNAs can work with patients of various age groups (such as children, adults, and older adults), while GNAs can only work with elderly or geriatric patients. Secondly, CNAs can start working after they’ve completed a CNA training program and passed a state competency exam. Meanwhile, GNAs need to pass the Geriatric Nursing Assistant Examination to get a GNA designation on their CNA certification.
How to become a CNA or a GNA
If you’re interested in becoming a CNA or a GNA, you would need to follow these steps:
1. Complete the basic educational requirements. You would first need to earn a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
2. Get CNA training from a state-approved training program. You can get proper theoretical and practical CNA training from state-approved training programs that are accessible via community colleges, trade or vocational schools, and even healthcare facilities. CNA training may take about four to 12 weeks to complete.
3. Complete instructional and practical training. Depending on state or federal regulations, you would need to complete both instructional and supervised practical training sessions before you can proceed to the next step of your CNA career journey.
4. Pass your state’s CNA examination. After you complete your CNA training, you would need to pass your state’s nurse aide certification exam. Typically, the exam consists of a written and clinical exam. Once you pass the exam, you’ll get a CNA certification and will be listed on your state’s nurse aide registry. CNA certifications last up to two years and would need to be renewed before it lapses.
If you want to become a GNA, you would need to complete one additional step:
5. Pass the Geriatric Nursing Assistant examination. This examination ensures that GNAs are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to care for elderly patients with unique needs and specialized care requirements.
CNA vs. GNA: Which is right for you?
Now that you know the similarities and differences between CNAs and GNAs, you might have a better understanding of which role is best for you. Both roles are great stepping stones when it comes to working in the healthcare field, but it would boil down to what your interests and long-term goals are.
For example, you might consider becoming a GNA if you’re interested in working with older adults in long-term care facilities and because the role is what is in demand in your area. Meanwhile, some schools require a CNA certificate to get into the LPN program, so it would be wise to pursue a CNA career, especially if you want to transition to becoming an LPN and an RN in the future.
