Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are the backbone of hands-on patient care. Whether you're exploring a career in healthcare or studying for your CNA exam, understanding exactly what CNAs do — and where they do it — is essential. This guide covers every major CNA duty, the difference between hospital and nursing home roles, pay expectations, work settings, and how long it takes to get certified.
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides direct, hands-on patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). CNA job duties center on helping patients with the activities of daily living (ADLs) — the fundamental tasks that many patients cannot perform independently due to illness, injury, disability, or age. Planning to advance to RN? Our free NCLEX practice test 2026 covers all Next Generation NCLEX formats including case studies and matrix questions.
The roles of a CNA are both physically demanding and emotionally rewarding. Unlike nurses who focus primarily on assessments, medications, and care planning, CNAs spend the most direct time with patients — bathing, feeding, repositioning, and talking with them throughout every shift. This constant presence makes CNAs critical to patient safety and comfort.
CNA responsibilities include monitoring patient conditions and reporting changes to the supervising nurse, maintaining infection control standards, assisting with ambulation, and documenting care provided. In many facilities, CNAs are the first to notice subtle changes in a patient's condition — a skill that requires sharp observation and clear communication. Mastering core CNA skills — from vitals to ADL assistance — is essential for any new nursing assistant.
For CNAs interested in understanding CNA salary differences across settings, pay varies widely — from $13/hr in entry-level roles to $25/hr in hospital units. CNA duties also vary significantly by setting. A CNA working in a hospital trauma unit has a very different day than one working in a home health role or an assisted living facility. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the right work environment for your skills and career goals.
Regardless of where a CNA works, certain duties appear in virtually every job description. Here is a breakdown of the most common CNA responsibilities you will encounter on the job:
CNAs measure and document blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Accurate vital sign documentation is essential — deviations from baseline values can indicate early signs of deterioration and must be reported to the charge nurse immediately. CNA training programs spend significant time on proper technique for manual blood pressure readings and pulse oximetry interpretation.
ADLs include bathing, grooming, oral hygiene, dressing, toileting, and eating. CNAs assist patients who cannot complete these tasks independently while always preserving patient dignity and respecting personal preferences. Assisting with ADLs is typically the largest portion of any CNA's daily workload and is central to the CNA job description.
Repositioning immobile patients every two hours prevents pressure ulcers (bedsores), which can develop rapidly in at-risk populations. CNAs assist with transfers — moving patients from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to toilet, and so on — using proper body mechanics and mechanical lifts to protect both the patient and the CNA from injury.
Strong communication skills are non-negotiable in CNA work. CNAs relay observations to nurses, explain care procedures to patients in plain language, and coordinate with other team members during shift handoffs. What CNAs do in these moments of communication directly affects the quality and continuity of care.
Accurate charting is a legal and clinical requirement. CNAs document every task completed — care provided, vital signs recorded, intake and output measurements, and any patient complaints or changes in condition. Many facilities now use electronic health record (EHR) systems, so basic computer literacy is part of the modern CNA job description.
Hand hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and correct handling of soiled linens are critical infection control duties for CNAs. In long-term care and hospital settings, preventing the spread of pathogens like C. difficile, MRSA, and influenza is a daily priority. CNAs learn standard precautions and transmission-based precautions during their certification training.
Hospital CNA jobs involve in one of the most demanding and well-compensated environments in CNA careers. What does a CNA do in a hospital differs from long-term care in both pace and clinical intensity.
In acute care hospital settings, CNA duties include:
Hospital CNA positions typically require more advanced training and faster-paced decision-making than nursing home roles. CNAs who prefer a one-on-one environment may consider home health CNA roles instead. CNAs interested in travel CNA jobs can earn even more — often $25-35/hr with housing stipends. They also offer higher pay — averaging around $19.80/hr nationally — plus shift differentials for nights. CNAs seeking flexible schedules may explore CNA agency jobs which offer premium pay rates. Hospital CNAs also earn shift differentials for nights and weekends. If you want to maximize your hospital CNA exam preparation, start with a cna test that covers clinical scenarios common in acute care settings.
Hospital CNAs often work on specialized units including medical-surgical floors, intensive care units (ICUs), labor and delivery, orthopedics, and oncology. Each unit has specific protocols that CNAs learn during orientation.
Programs range from 4 to 12 weeks. Community colleges, vocational schools, and some nursing homes offer CNA courses. Requirements: typically a high school diploma or GED and a background check.
Federal law requires a minimum of 75 hours of CNA training (most states require 100–175 hours). Training includes classroom instruction on anatomy, infection control, and patient rights, plus supervised clinical hours in a real care setting.
The written exam (or oral exam with audio option) tests knowledge of CNA duties, patient rights, safety, infection control, and basic nursing skills. Most states use the Prometric or Pearson VUE testing system.
The skills test requires demonstrating 3–5 CNA competencies in front of an evaluator. Common skills tested include hand washing, measuring vital signs, positioning, catheter care, and proper transfer techniques.
After passing both exams, your name is added to your state's Nurse Aide Registry — the official credential that allows you to work as a CNA. The entire process from enrollment to certification typically takes 6 to 16 weeks.