What Does a CNA Do?

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) helps patients with everyday care under the direction of licensed nursing staff. CNAs follow care instructions to support patients’ comfort, safety, and ability to do what they can for themselves. They observe how patients are doing and promptly report changes that may need a nurse’s attention. They also document assigned care and basic health information as directed. This work helps care teams provide consistent support and respond to patients’ needs.

What Is a CNA?

A CNA is a nursing assistant who provides basic care under the direction of licensed nursing staff. The role commonly supports people who need help because of age, illness, injury, or disability. CNAs carry out care instructions and communicate observations to nurses. They do not diagnose conditions or decide on treatment. O*NET’s nursing assistant profile identifies CNA as a reported job title and describes providing basic care and reporting observations as part of the work.

CNAs work in settings such as hospitals and nursing facilities. Their assignments vary with the care setting and the needs of the people they support.

What Are the Main Responsibilities of a CNA?

A central responsibility is helping patients with activities of daily living. Depending on care instructions, a CNA may assist someone with bathing or dressing. They may also help with eating or toileting. The CNA provides the support needed while encouraging the patient to do what they can safely manage. Explaining care and protecting privacy help preserve the patient’s dignity.

CNAs help patients move and change position. They may support someone walking or moving from a bed to a chair. They follow care-team instructions and workplace procedures for safe movement. If a transfer calls for equipment or another worker’s help, they follow the approved process rather than attempting it alone.

Observation and reporting are essential parts of the role. A CNA may notice that a patient seems less steady than usual or appears uncomfortable. They report what they observed to the nurse promptly without trying to diagnose the cause.

Some assignments include measuring or recording basic information, such as a temperature, when the task is within the CNA’s training and workplace procedures. CNAs document care as instructed so the team has a record of what was done. If instructions are unclear, they ask the supervising nurse.

What Does a CNA Do on a Daily Basis?

A shift often begins with receiving an assignment and updates from the nursing team. The CNA reviews relevant care instructions and precautions for assigned patients. They use those directions to organize the shift while staying responsive to patients’ needs.

As the shift progresses, the CNA provides planned care at a pace suited to each patient. They might help someone get ready for the day and later assist them in getting comfortable for a meal. During these routines, they pay attention to how the patient is doing. If they notice a change, they report it to the nurse rather than trying to determine its cause.

The CNA records required information according to workplace procedures. Before leaving, they share relevant updates with the nursing team or the next caregiver as directed. This handoff helps the team continue care with an understanding of what happened during the shift.

What Skills Does a CNA Need?

Clear communication helps CNAs coordinate with patients and nursing staff. If a patient says they are in pain, the CNA listens and relays the patient’s words to the nurse. When reporting a change, they describe what they observed instead of guessing at a diagnosis.

Attention to detail helps a CNA notice differences during familiar routines. If a patient who usually eats well suddenly eats very little, the CNA can report the change for follow-up. Accurate documentation also helps the team understand what care was provided.

Patience and respect matter during personal care. A CNA can explain what they are about to do and give the patient time to respond. Organization helps them keep track of care instructions during a busy shift. The work can involve long periods of standing or walking, so safe work habits and physical stamina are useful.

How Much Does a CNA Earn?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nursing assistants earned a median annual wage of $42,260 in May 2025. This figure covers nursing assistants as an occupation, not only workers with the CNA title. The median means half of workers earned more and half earned less. See the BLS nursing assistant wage data.

What Is the Career Progression for a CNA?

Some CNAs build on their patient-care experience by pursuing further education in nursing or another healthcare field. Moving into another occupation requires meeting that role’s own education and other requirements. A CNA considering a next step can ask an employer about education support and check the requirements for the occupation and location they have in mind.

CNAs can also gain experience in different care settings. Hospital work may involve supporting patients during treatment or recovery. In a nursing facility, a CNA may become familiar with residents’ routines and abilities over time. Duties and opportunities depend on the employer and setting.

How Contingent Workforce Management Helps Businesses Hire CNAs

Contingent workforce management services help businesses administer temporary or other non-permanent worker engagements. A nursing facility may need extra CNA coverage when a scheduled worker is unavailable or residents need additional support with daily care. When the business has already found a candidate, hiring that worker directly and using third-party payrolling can be a lower-cost alternative to a staffing agency.

TCWGlobal helps companies manage contingent CNAs through payrolling and workforce support. For a facility filling a defined coverage gap, this can help administer assignment details and time records while reducing administrative work for internal staff. Using third-party payrolling for a directly sourced worker can also save the company money compared with a staffing agency.