Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide physical and emotional support to patients under the supervision of nursing and other medical staff. CNAs are responsible for cleaning and bathing patients; assisting with dressing; positioning patients in beds, chairs, or wheelchairs; serving meals and assisting with eating; and checking vital signs. In some states, CNAs may also independently administer medication, but this is not permitted in New York.
Because they perform some of the most physically and emotionally demanding tasks in the healthcare industry, CNAs are a valuable asset in hospitals, nursing care facilities, and residential care settings. In fact, projected employment growth for nursing assistants is an impressive 21% for the 2012-2022 decade, and their salaries are competitive. New York-based nursing assistants can expect to earn an average salary of $32,700 per year, which is one of the highest salaries for CNAs in the country. The highest earners bring in $37,170 per year while the lowest earners receive $26,490 per year, which is still higher than the national average of $24,420 per year.
Below is a list of nursing schools in New York that offer some of state’s top nursing assistant programs.