Navigating Career Paths After CNA Certification

Ruddy Brito
May 29
2 min read

Earning your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification opens the door to a fulfilling career in healthcare, with opportunities to grow and specialize. At In Home WellCare Academy, we’re excited to help future CNAs explore their options, even as we work toward becoming a DOH-approved training program in Rhode Island.

Please note: We are not yet approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) and cannot accept student applications at this time. Stay tuned for updates on our progress.

Entry-Level CNA Roles

Once certified, you

can work in various settings:

Nursing Homes: Provide long-term care for elderly patients, assisting with daily activities and monitoring health.
Hospitals: Support nurses by helping with patient care tasks, often in a faster-paced environment.
Home Health: Offer personalized care to patients in their homes, focusing on independence and comfort.

Advancing Your Career

A CNA role can be a stepping stone to further opportunities:

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): With additional training (about 1 year), you can become an LPN, taking on more responsibilities like administering medications.
Registered Nurse (RN): Pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree to become an RN, overseeing patient care and leading teams.
Specializations: Consider specializing in areas like geriatrics or hospice care, which may require additional certifications but offer deeper impact.

Networking and Growth

Build connections to advance your career:

Connect with Colleagues: During clinical training, network with nurses and CNAs who can offer advice or job leads.
Join Professional Groups: Look into organizations like the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) for resources and support.

Lifelong Learning

Stay competitive by continuing your education:

In-Service Training: Complete regular training to maintain your certification, as required in Rhode Island (at least 8 hours of work every 2 years).
Stay Curious: Read about healthcare trends, such as the growing demand for home health CNAs, to identify new opportunities.

Stay Connected

We’re working toward offering a premium training program to launch your CNA career. Subscribe to our newsletter for more career insights and updates on our DOH approval journey.