According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the aging baby boomer population means that the healthcare industry is on a continuous growth path. There is thus a stable outlook for CNAs as well. CNAs are projected to see a growth of 20% in the coming years, which is well about the national average. In layman’s terms, that means you can expect to see roughly 300,000 jobs to be created, with a salary increase of 19%.
As if job stability and salary increases were not enough to sell you on continuing to work as a CNA, here are 7 more reasons that being a CNA is a fantastic career choice and why you should take your career PRN:
1. As a CNA, you have the opportunity to make a difference by offering emotional support.
In addition to hands-on care, you spend your days as a CNA working directly with patients and their families, meaning you truly have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those individuals. You may often find that you spend more time with your clients and their families than you do with your friends and family. The relationships you forge through this role can make a positive difference in the patients’ life and yours. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a CNA.
When you choose to use your role as a CNA to work PRN shifts, your reach of being about to offer emotional support for others through your job grows to new levels. You can easily double or triple your impact as a caregiver while earning more money. What is not to love about that?
2. You can choose to further specialize as a CNA.
Being a CNA is a fantastic way to gear yourself towards a specialized nursing career. You can choose to specialize in areas such as surgery or pediatric care, which can help you further expand your career as a CNA. As a CNA, the healthcare world is open to you; you just have to decide which direction to take your career.
If you are feeling stagnant in your current role as a CNA, we suggest using PRN shifts to spice things up a bit. As a CNA, you have the opportunity to explore other areas of the hospital that you might want to specialize in without the commitment of taking a long-term role in a department and then finding out that you do no care for it in the process. This allows you to experience different areas of the hospital and give you the confidence and reassurance you need to choose a specialty that you truly enjoy.
3. Being a PRN CNA means job flexibility.
Your job is an essential part of your life, but it is not the only part of your life. It is rare to find a healthcare position that boasts job flexibility as a benefit, but CNAs do just that! Between hospital hours and private clinic hours, you have the opportunity to set the schedule you like, and that works for your family and lifestyle. Do you need a job that allows you to work from 9-5 on the weekdays? Or do you need nightshifts? Maybe you just want to work a few days a week so that you can spend more time with your family. No matter the schedule you need, a career as a PRN CNA can provide you with the flexibility that will truly work for your life.
4. A PRN CNA Career means that you are better able to care for your loved ones.
Often, one’s professional knowledge allows it to roll over into your personal life as well. As a CNA, you know how to properly care for people to prevent illness and injury, which can help should you have a family member who becomes ill and needs care. This would be beneficial whether you are a CNA who works normal shifts or a CNA who works PRN shifts. However, remember when we spoke about flexibility as one of the benefits of being a PRN CNA has? Think about that in regards to having the ability to best care for your loved ones when/if they ever really need your help.
5. Every day is different when you are a PRN CNA.
No one wants to be bored when working, which is why being a CNA can be so fun. Though you may be using it in a single location, picking up contract PRN positions allows you to spread your wings and enjoy whatever patient scenario comes your way. When you are not stuck in a mundane job that is the same day in and day out, the excitement to go to work continues to grow.
Though the patients’ needs may change as well as your tasks may fluctuate from facility to facility, one thing remains the same no matter what environment you choose to work in. That is your ability to make a patient smile day in and day out.
6. Expect your healthcare knowledge to continue to grow as a CNA.
As a CNA, you work side-by-side with registered nurses and people from other medical roles every day, which becomes an incredible opportunity to grow your skillset as a CNA. This increase in knowledge can not only help you to expand your mind, but it may also work to increase your desire to obtain additional degrees such as LPN, R.N., or BSN. This hands-on experience from your continued work as a CNA will give you the confidence you need to further your education, as-well-as make receiving an advanced degree a more straightforward process.
7. Becoming a PRN CNA means money, money, money.
Money is an important part of life whether we want it to be or not. When you work as a PRN CNA you have the opportunity to grow your finances drastically. Maybe you just want to save money for a big vacation, you’re saving for Christmas presents, or maybe you just have a debt to pay off. No matter the situation working PRN shifts means you bring home more money every shift you work. And at Total Medical Personnel Staffing, it also means you get paid immediately after every shift you work. That is instant gratification if you ask us!
We are always looking to add talented professionals to our team, and we would love to have you join our pool of CNA professionals as well. When you accept a PRN CNA position with Total Medical Personnel Staffing, you have the opportunity to grow your healthcare knowledge and capabilities to another level. Let’s get you started advancing your career today. Apply now!