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An Exciting Job Outlook in Healthcare

Becoming a CNA or GNA means endless possibilities for you and your career. With your nursing assistant certification you can work in hospitals, urgent care centers, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, private homes, clinics and schools. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of CNAs and GNAs are expected to grow 21% faster than the average of all other occupations or jobs. This is exciting news for anyone seeking a rewarding career with job stability and job security. Another added benefit about earning your nursing assistant certification is that you may be able to transfer it to another state. To transfer your certification to another state you must have taken and passed your GNA exam. This will be beneficial if you are planning on moving or working in another state.

Applying For Your CNA/GNA Certification

Upon program completion, you are required to submit an application to the Maryland Board of Nursing for certification. The application fee for initial applicants is $20.00 and $40.00 for renewal applicants.

CNA Initial Applicants

Initial applicants are required to submit an online application http://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/cna-info.aspx. When submitting your online application you will need a digital passport photo, your background check 12-digit tracking number and a credit card to pay the application fee. The tracking number is located above the barcode, which is in the upper left hand corner on the first page of the background check.

Initial applicants who do not have a clear background check are only allowed to submit a paper application. The paper application can be picked up at the Maryland Board of Nursing or mailed to your home address. When submitting your paper application you will need a 2×2 passport photo, a $20.00 money order, your background check receipt, court documents detailing your charge(s) and a written explanation of your charge(s). Once you have your completed application, you will have to come to the school so we can fill out our portion. After that, the completed documents along with the application should be dropped off at the Maryland Board of Nursing.

CNA Renewal Applicants

Applicants renewing their CNA certification can only submit a paper application. When submitting your paper application you will need a $40.00 money order and your background check receipt. Once the application has been completed, the application and the required documents should be dropped off at the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Applicants renewing their CNA certification without a clear background are also required to submit a paper application. When submitting your paper application you will need a $40.00 money order, your background check receipt, court documents detailing your charge(s) and a written explanation of your charge(s). Once the application has been completed, the application and the required documents should be dropped off at the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Getting A Job As A CNA

Once you have received your certification, you are now ready to apply for CNA JOBS! The key to getting a job as a new CNA is to keep your options open and apply everywhere. That means you want to apply to hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes (If you have your GNA). On average you should apply to at least 10-15 healthcare facilities. Keep a record of all the healthcare facilities you have applied to and follow-up if you haven’t heard back within 2-3 weeks.

Being A Successful CNA or GNA

Overall, a career as a CNA or GNA can be very rewarding for persons who derive satisfaction from helping others. Being a CNA or GNA may be demanding at times, but you will gain a sense of satisfaction from caring and helping people feel better. Because CNAs and GNAs spend a great deal of time with patients and residents, they often form long-lasting relationships with them and their families.

When you are hired as a CNA or GNA you want to be as successful as possible. Listed below are some traits of a successful CNA or GNA.

  • Compassion
  • Patience
  • Empathetic
  • Hardworking
  • Ability to multitask
  • Ability to perform in a stressful environment
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail

A good, successful CNA is a valuable member of the healthcare team. The healthcare team is dependent upon you to care for patients and residents in a way that promotes dignity, respect and independence. Also, because you spend the most time with your patients or residents, you are expected to report even the slightest change to the licensed nurse. Working as a CNA or GNA will be stressful at times, but the sense of satisfaction that you will experience is priceless.

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