New Year, New Career? Nursing Offers a Bright Future

A New Year holds new opportunities. For many, the economic uncertainty of 2013 raises concerns for our job security.

Despite sluggish job growth across the country, few professions have seemingly bucked the trend as much as Nursing. This makes 2013 an optimal time for those thinking about changing careers to look at the bright future in becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nursing aides is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

This dramatic growth is mainly due to a growing elderly population, causing a significant need in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. Also, the Affordable Care Act promises to increase the number of insured individuals which should lead to increased opportunities for nursing aides in other industries as well, such as hospitals and clinics.

Nursing aides, sometimes called nursing attendants or nursing assistants, provide basic care and help with basic living activities. They are also provide vital help to nurses by measuring patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature, and recording patients’ health concerns and report that information to nurses.

In nursing homes, aides are often the principal caregivers. They have more contact with residents than other members of the staff and develop close, caring relationships with their patients.

In 2010, the median pay for nursing aides is $24,000, but Connecticut has one of the highest median pay rates in the country at $30,000. Becoming a CNA usually involves a few months of postsecondary training and a passing grade on the state’s competency exam.

The best part about becoming a CNA is that it is seen as the stepping stone to becoming a Registered Nurse (R.N.).

Just like the CNA profession, employment of registered nurses is expected to boom this decade with grow 26 percent growth from 2010 to 2020. This faster than average growth is expected in traditional hospital settings, as well as in non-hospital settings, such as physician’s offices and home healthcare services.

As many of us know, an RN career is one that can last a lifetime with an average median pay of more than $64,000 a year.

More important than the job security and generous pay, a career in Nursing can be a truly rewarding experience, providing a strong sense of teamwork, appreciation and satisfaction that you are doing something that helps others.

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, at 300 Seymour Avenue, Suite 206 in Derby, will offer its Certified Nursing Assistant program beginning in January 2013.

The CNA program begins on Jan. 14. The 13-week course will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5 - 9 p.m. Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. Once a student successfully completes the course and clinical experience, they will be qualified to take the State exam for certification as a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut.

The $1,250 CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, workbook, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation, which will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings as well as Saturday mornings.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a High School Diploma or GED may apply for admission. For more information or to apply, call 203.732.1276 or visit griffinheath.org/allied-health. Early application is encouraged, as space is limited.

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and offers Phlebotomy and other professional educational programs to provide training, education, and certification in selected health careers. Classes are taught by certified instructors in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building, located at 300 Seymour Avenue in Derby.