Premier Nursing Academy Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:20:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/favicon.png Premier Nursing Academy 32 32 Lasonya Mitchell https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/about/staff/lasonya-mitchell/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:49:23 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3634 Lasonya Mitchell Instructor, Bradenton Bio coming soon.

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Lasonya Mitchell

Bio coming soon.

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Taylor Scott https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/about/staff/taylor-scott/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:48:13 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3633 Taylor Scott Instructor, Pinellas Park Taylor began her career as a CNA when she was only 16! In the 20+ years since, she became an LPN and worked primarily in geriatric and forensic psychology. But, she’s also spent time in doctor’s offices, assisted living, hospitals, and more, so she’s seen almost everything. Taylor uses those […]

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Taylor Scott

Taylor began her career as a CNA when she was only 16! In the 20+ years since, she became an LPN and worked primarily in geriatric and forensic psychology. But, she’s also spent time in doctor’s offices, assisted living, hospitals, and more, so she’s seen almost everything. Taylor uses those experiences to help her students learn how their skills will be used in the real world, where they’ll function as caregivers.

She believes she may have been a spoiled housecat in a previous life, and she continues to spread that joy as the guardian of two cats.

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Dorothy Billips https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/about/staff/dorothy-billips/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:47:07 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3632 Dorothy Billips Instructor, Pinellas Park Dorothy teaches because she loves sharing experiences with her students and watching their enthusiasm grow. No matter where life has taken her, she says she’s always been an educator at heart. She wants her students to know they won’t have all the answers and should never fear failure.

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Dorothy Billips

Dorothy teaches because she loves sharing experiences with her students and watching their enthusiasm grow. No matter where life has taken her, she says she’s always been an educator at heart.

She wants her students to know they won’t have all the answers and should never fear failure.

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Kaitlin Neisel https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/about/staff/kaitlin-neisel/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:45:54 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3631 Kaitlin Neisel Placement Specialist, Pinellas Park Bio coming soon.

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Kaitlin Neisel

Bio coming soon.

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Matthew Mercandetti https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/about/staff/matthew-mercandetti/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:44:34 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3629 Matthew Mercandetti Placement Specialist, Bradenton Matthew began his career in finance, but he’s always been an educator at heart. He loves seeing students figure out where they want to go, especially since he has the privilege of helping them get there. Despite wanting to explore the far-flung stars as an astronaut when he was little, […]

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Matthew Mercandetti

Matthew began his career in finance, but he’s always been an educator at heart. He loves seeing students figure out where they want to go, especially since he has the privilege of helping them get there. Despite wanting to explore the far-flung stars as an astronaut when he was little, he’s grown to embrace the advice that “It does not matter if you can see the entire path to your dream. All that matters is you can see the next step.”

When Matthew isn’t at work, he’s hanging out with his dogs and dreaming of travel.

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Andrew Ludlam https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/about/staff/andrew-ludlam/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:42:52 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3628 Andrew Ludlam Admissions Specialist, Pinellas Park The phrase “lifelong learner” could have Andrew’s name next to it! He has a degree in world religions, a minor in psychology, and is currently working on his MBA. In addition to that, he’s been a teacher, worked in more than one admissions department, and owned his own business. […]

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Andrew Ludlam

The phrase “lifelong learner” could have Andrew’s name next to it! He has a degree in world religions, a minor in psychology, and is currently working on his MBA. In addition to that, he’s been a teacher, worked in more than one admissions department, and owned his own business. Andrew also says he would be a writer if he were to choose a different career entirely.

Interestingly, despite always being busy, Andrew says the best piece of advice he’s ever gotten is to sleep on any major decision. His favorite part of the job is helping students at the beginning of their healthcare careers and encouraging them to have fun along the way.

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Steve Hardin https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/about/staff/steve-hardin/ Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:41:17 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3627 Steve Hardin Chief Executive Officer Steve has 30 years of experience in business, primarily in healthcare and staffing. He began his career at Ernst & Young as a consultant before moving on to owning and operating his own recruitment, staffing, and HR consulting company. Then, Steve and his business partners grew Serenity Home Health | […]

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Steve Hardin

Steve has 30 years of experience in business, primarily in healthcare and staffing. He began his career at Ernst & Young as a consultant before moving on to owning and operating his own recruitment, staffing, and HR consulting company. Then, Steve and his business partners grew Serenity Home Health | Hospice Care to more than 650 patients before moving on to work at Premier Nursing Academy. He loves working here because of the fantastic team and their passion for their mission.

In addition, Steve is a retired military officer with an MBA, a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. He also has served on many educational boards, often for higher-needs youth. This tracks, as the best advice he’s ever gotten is to “do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.”

Steve has been married to Amy for over 30 years, and they are proud parents to two adult children and guardians of a huge dog.

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What are you most excited about now that you’ve finished CNA training? https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/blog/most-excited-about-after-cna-training Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:36:18 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3609 What are you most excited about now that you’ve finished CNA training? In 2022, we trained nearly a thousand new CNAs. As their 6 week program wrapped up and they looked ahead at taking the CNA exam and starting their careers, we asked them what excited them most about finishing their training. Here’s what they […]

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What are you most excited about now that you’ve finished CNA training?

In 2022, we trained nearly a thousand new CNAs. As their 6 week program wrapped up and they looked ahead at taking the CNA exam and starting their careers, we asked them what excited them most about finishing their training. Here’s what they had to say:

We learned that most of our students are very excited to get to work:

  • “Excited to get back to work and just be helping people and use all the skills that I learned.”
  • “Working and further in my career.”
  • “I’m excited to start work.”
  • “Finally become licensed and just begin this new journey in this career.”
  • “Growing more in the healthcare field.”
  • “Going to work, getting that money, and just helping people.”
  • “I’m most excited about starting work, getting to put the training that I’ve learned out here in class to work. I’m excited about testing myself, testing my skills, and just being able to help out in the field.”
  • “I’m most excited about the new experience that’s coming for me at the new workplace that they provided me with and just to see how everything works out.”
  • “Starting work!”

We are excited that so many of our students are already thinking about the next step in their education:

  • “I would say I’m most excited about going out into the field, getting more experience, and then hopefully pursuing a career in nursing and going to nursing school.”
  • “I’m excited to go back to school again, get a degree.”
  • “For me, I’m attending SBC to the RN, so it’s basically giving more hands on training as a nurse. So that will just take a bigger steps to get accepted and also taking care of patients and getting to know more people.”
  • “Yeah, same. I’m going for my RN as well, so just to gain experience and just to further my career in the medical field.”
  • “I’m just more excited to go all the way to the top. I don’t want to stop at just CNA. I want to go LPN, RN, get my Master’s, get my doctorate. A lot of my family are nurses, and so I want to show them that I’m not just going to stop at RN. I can go all the way and get my doctorate.”
  • “I really can’t wait to take care of new patients. I’m looking forward to the experience, and I really want to build my career as a nurse because I want to do my RN. It’s just a stepping stone to the future.”

And we weren’t surprised at all about the heart and compassion we heard from our CNA students:

  • “Working with my residents and hearing their stories, honestly.”
  • “I’m most excited about working with my residents.”

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You Make a Difference: Celebrating Nurse’s Week 2022 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/blog/nurses-week-2022 Thu, 05 May 2022 13:45:20 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3537 Nurses, You Make a Difference! National Nurses Week 2022 Nurses have always played a critical role in the healthcare system, but the last two years have shown the world just how essential they are to public health. Not only do nurses and nursing professionals serve as the frontline of healthcare and the first and primary […]

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Nurses, You Make a Difference! National Nurses Week 2022

Nurses have always played a critical role in the healthcare system, but the last two years have shown the world just how essential they are to public health. Not only do nurses and nursing professionals serve as the frontline of healthcare and the first and primary point of contact with patients, but during the pandemic, when visitors were limited, nurses were often the last kind eyes a dying patient saw.

Caring for and supporting patients during COVID-19 has been exceptionally hard on nurses. Burnout, mental health challenges, and constant exposure to a deadly disease have all made for a very challenging time for nursing professionals all over the world. And still, they provide care day in and day out—with love, grace, and selflessness.

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, and we want to use this opportunity to thank all the nurses out there for everything they do! Read on to learn about the history of this week of appreciation, some local nurse heroes, and discounts nurses can take advantage of to care for themselves.

History of Nurses Week

After several attempts off and on to establish an official nurse’s day from the early 1950s, in 1974, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) was finally able to declare May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, as International Nurse Day.

In 1978, the New Jersey governor rallied to have May 6 designated as a statewide day for nurses. In 1982, the American Nurses Association (ANA) followed suit to designate May 6 as the “National Recognition Day for Nurses.”

In 1990, the ANA Board of Directors expanded this one day to an entire week of recognition, called National Nurses Week, from May 6 through May 12. In 1997, May 8 was designated as “National Student Nurses Day,” and in 2003, the Wednesday within National Nurses Week every year was established as “National School Nurse Day.”

This year’s National Nurses Week theme, Nurses Make a Difference, celebrates everything nurses do to benefit the lives of patients, families, communities, and other healthcare providers.

Florida Nurse Heroes

Every nurse is a hero, selflessly giving of themselves and sacrificing their own mental and physical health to care for others in their times of need. From ensuring that hospital patients can celebrate the holidays away from family to helping critically ill patients find a peaceful ending, nurses are everyday champions.

Below are just some of Florida’s true nurse heroes over the past couple of years.

Lindsey Fairchild: Treating Patients Like Her Own Father

In a Volusia County hospital, ICU nurse Lindsey Fairchild has watched people fight for their lives throughout the pandemic—caring for patients of all ages and health statuses.

After losing her father to COVID-19 in 2020 and not being allowed to sit by his bedside, Fairchild understood on a deeper level how essential her role was in comforting those who were alone and without loved ones. This empathy renewed her commitment to fighting for her community and advocating for patients who can no longer advocate for themselves.

“I see my dad in a lot of my patients. You understand what their families are going through and how painful that has to be to not be there with them,” she says. She encourages her community to get vaccinated and protect each other.

Hailey Hester: Traveling to a City in Great Need

At the start of the pandemic, when New York City was overrun with COVID-19 cases, Orlando ER nurse Hailey Hester saw the need and left her family to go help a community struggling under the weight of the pandemic.

On April 4, 2020, Hester started her journey at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx, where every floor had been turned into an ICU unit. “I just kept seeing videos and articles and nurses up here in New York asking for help and it was just something I couldn’t ignore. I had to come.” After 21, 12-hour shifts over a month, Hester returned home with a new understanding of the severity of the pandemic and the heroism of healthcare workers.

Grace Meatley: Giving the Human Touch in Frontline Care

As a Jackson Memorial Hospital ICU nurse assigned to the main COVID unit, Grace Meatley saw countless COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. Despite the mental and physical toll caring for patients over the past two years took on her health and a lucrative job offer elsewhere, Meatley was “determined to get back to Jackson every day and send patients home.”

In the midst of detangling driplines and sorting pumps and tubes, she made sure every patient experienced communication and human touch—such as a back rub, a warm bath, and reassurances. “I pray for the patient, and the family that can’t be there. Each person has their own story and I try to be enriched by each life.”

Nia Gand: Newly Minted Nurse Powering Through

Seasoned nurses at least had several years of experience under their belts before being thrown into the chaos of a pandemic. But more recent nurse graduates had to enter the field with little to no experience.

Nia Gand was only on the job at Tampa General Hospital for a few months before the pandemic hit. Treating critically ill patients younger than her was sobering, especially knowing that many were unvaccinated. But she dove in and gave her all to keep providing care. “It was rough and crazy times, and we did unimaginable things, and as a nurse we had to stretch pretty far to save patients. It was a crazy time for everyone,” she says.

Nurses Week 2022: Discounts and Freebies

National Nurses Week is the perfect time to thank nurses for all they do. Many organizations and businesses do this by providing nurses with special offers to mark this week of recognition.

  • BAYADA Home Health Care: For National Nurses Week, BAYADA is holding a Getaway Giveaway contest. Nurses can enter to win $2,500 toward a getaway of their choice.
  • Florida Nurses Association: FNA is offering an online educational summit from May 9 through May 13. Nurses can receive discounted member rates on five continuing education courses, including webinars on human trafficking, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, etc.
  • NursesWeakGifts: From May 4 through May 12, nurses can submit photos of their, ahem, “weak” gifts (like that well-intentioned but useless lollipop or pet rock) to social media. The first 1,200 submissions will receive a thoughtful appreciation gift from connectRN curated by a community of nurses.
  • Selina: Travel company, Selina, is offering nurses a chance to win accommodations at Selina locations across the globe to rest and recharge. Two winners will get 30 nights free, eight winners get seven nights, and ten winners get two nights. Apply by May 15 for your chance to win!
  • Western Governors University: Not only do nurses get to waive the application fee for admission this week, but WGU is offering 200 Nurse Appreciation Scholarships of up to $4,000 each for nurses wanting to earn their bachelor’s or master’s nursing degrees. WGU will accept applications through June 30, 2022.

Fortunately, many companies choose to recognize nurses year-round with discounts on products and services. Some businesses offer discounts directly on their websites, while others use third-party services to provide identity proofing and group affiliation verification. You can check out ID.me and SheerID for ongoing discounts for nurses and medical professionals.

Below is just a sampling of some of the companies that offer discounts for nurses throughout the year:

  • Adidas: Nurses can get 30% off online and 20% off at Adidas factory outlet stores.
  • AT&T: Nurses and their families are eligible for a discount on unlimited cellular plans.
  • backcountry.com: Healthcare workers can get 20% off certain full-price purchases.
  • BP: Nurses get up to $0.15 off per gallon of gas for 60 days.
  • Brooklyn Bedding: Get 25% off plus free shipping.
  • Danform Shoes: Nurses can use the SUPERHERO20 code to get 20% off footwear, including popular Dansko clogs.
  • Hyatt: Healthcare professionals get Hyatt’s Friends & Family rate worldwide through June 30, 2022.
  • Lululemon: Licensed nurses get 15% off every purchase.
  • Outback Steakhouse: Nurses get 10% off their entire check every time they dine here.
  • Reebok: Reebok offers 50% off for medical and hospital workers.
  • Rothy’s: Medical professionals receive 20% off a pair of washable shoes.
  • Roxy: U.S. healthcare workers receive 30% off every purchase.
  • Talkspace: Healthcare workers and first responders can receive 50% off the first month of this online therapy platform.
  • Verizon: Nurses can get up to $10 off per line for unlimited plans.
  • Vineyard Vines: Nurses and other healthcare professionals get 15% off everything.
  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin: Nurses receive special rates at deluxe Marriott resorts.

How to Show Nurses Your Appreciation

Whether a loved one is a nurse, you’ve had an exceptional experience with a nurse on your own healthcare team, or you want to show your appreciation in general, there are many ways to let nurses know you care this week and beyond.

Food and Gifts for Nurses

Setting up your local hospital or healthcare facility with a catered lunch during National Nurses Week is an easy way to show your appreciation. Nurses are always on the go, so a healthy meal waiting for them in the break room can make all the difference in their day.

A catered coffee bar or gift cards to a local coffee shop can also give nurses the energy to get through a challenging shift.

If sweets are more your style, you can show your appreciation by sending the nurses in your life cookie gift baskets from Mrs. Fields. Nurse-specific cookie gifts are 20% off during Nurses Week!

Nurse Nominations

Nominating a healthcare hero to win something that will make their life a little easier is another way to show you care. Several companies offer raffles and contests during Nurses Week.

Is your favorite nurse a fan of Chipotle? If so, head to Chipotle’s Nominate a Healthcare Hero page now through 11:59 p.m. PT on May 6 to nominate them. Winners receive one burrito entrée per week for an entire year!

Do you know nurses who work in long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC)? If so, you can nominate an LTPAC nursing professional for a $50 Amazon gift card (bonus: if they win, you get a gift card also!).

Sentinel U is also accepting nominations (due May 6 at midnight) for its Nurses Week contest. Two winners will receive one-year subscriptions for meal kit delivery, which includes three meals per week (for a family of four) for a full year.

Employer Appreciation for Nurses

Hospitals and other associations often take time on Nurses Week to recognize the nurses on staff who make a difference day in and day out. Here’s how some organizations in Florida are choosing to celebrate nurses.

In addition to receiving gifts, goodies, and meals throughout the week, nurses at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale can participate in a ceremony, roving chair massages, and fun photo opportunities.

On Thursday, May 12, the Florida Nurses Association is hosting an appreciation event from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Nurses can participate in massage, meditation, and acupuncture sessions, along with raffle drawings and a silent auction for an Ultimate Wellness Week.

Advocating for Pay Increases for Nurses

Of course, many nurses would agree that ensuring proper compensation is the best “thank you” they can receive in a profession where so many are asked to do so much. For those who aren’t in an executive position with a healthcare provider or otherwise have direct input on nurse pay, you can consider advocating for higher pay for nurses.

There are numerous petitions online circulating where individuals can sign on to this, including a leading one asking for hazard pay for nurses and other healthcare professionals.

A Simple Thank You

Rest assured, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money or go all out to recognize nurses this week. A simple thank you card, phone call, or positive feedback can make the nurses in your life feel appreciated and cared for. This week, take the time to do one kind thing for a nursing professional!

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Extra Training and Certifications Beyond CNA https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/blog/explore-cna-related-jobs Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:46:59 +0000 https://www.premiernursingacademy.org/?p=3532 Expand Your Healthcare Career: Extra Training and Certifications Beyond CNA You’ve been working as a CNA for a year or two, and while you still love healthcare, you’re ready for something new. What are your options if you don’t want to go down the traditional nursing-related CNA career paths but are looking for a new […]

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Expand Your Healthcare Career: Extra Training and Certifications Beyond CNA

You’ve been working as a CNA for a year or two, and while you still love healthcare, you’re ready for something new. What are your options if you don’t want to go down the traditional nursing-related CNA career paths but are looking for a new challenge?

Fortunately, with your experience, continuing education, and extra certifications, you can find a variety of healthcare jobs that let you use your CNA training and nursing assistant skills to work in a slightly different field. Check out these jobs for experienced CNAs who want to take the next step.

6 Alternative Job Opportunities for Experienced CNAs

In many cases, a short certification or additional on-the-job training can qualify you for an upgraded job title, bump up your salary, or even set you on a new career path.

Whether you need more money, are looking for a different work environment, or want to learn and utilize new skills, these healthcare careers may be exactly what you’re looking for.

1. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

CMAs perform more advanced clinical tasks than CNAs, such as venipuncture and administering medications and injections. They’re also responsible for various administrative tasks—including patient scheduling and medical records management.

While CMA training typically takes 1-2 years of full-time study, experienced certified nursing assistants can enroll in CNA to CMA bridge training programs that significantly shorten the time it takes to move into this career. In fact, with two years of verifiable work experience, CNAs can train to become a CMA in just 12 weeks! Other programs only require 300 hours of CNA experience to enroll in an accelerated training program.

Not only will you learn additional clinical skills as a CMA, but you can make more money and may have more job opportunities due to your advanced skill set. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, the average annual salary for medical assistants in the U.S. was $38,190, compared to $33,250 for nursing assistants.

2. Qualified Medication Aide (QMA)

When looking at CNA vs. QMA careers, the difference lies in the ability to deliver medications to patients. Under a nurse’s supervision, QMAs administer prescription and non-prescription medication and monitor patients’ reactions—in addition to performing traditional CNA job responsibilities.

After around 1,000 hours of work, CNAs can undergo 100 additional hours of training to become a QMA, working in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.

Medication aides can make around $40,378 annually, which is more than the average yearly salary for CNAs. Being trained to administer medication on top of providing basic patient care also makes QMAs in-demand healthcare professionals.

3. Anesthesia Technician

Anesthesia technicians clean, sterilize, and set up anesthesia equipment; help monitor, position, and transport patients; and assist with patient airway management.

Although anesthesia technicians don’t usually need specific certification other than Basic Life Support (BLS), most employers look for six months to a year of healthcare experience, such as working as a CNA. If you’re already working as a CNA in a hospital or surgery center environment, you can apply for anesthesia technician roles as they come available and receive specific on-the-job training.

One bonus of this career path is a higher annual salary, with an average of $44,076 nationwide. Plus, if you find you enjoy this career, you can go on to earn your associate degree and become an anesthesia technologist with an even higher wage.

4. Emergency Room Technician

Emergency room technicians (also called ER techs or ED techs) work in hospital emergency rooms assisting patients, taking vitals, stocking supplies, and performing basic medical procedures—like blood draws, EKGs, catheterization, splinting, and wound dressing changes.

Qualifications to work as an ER tech vary by employer, but most hospitals require one year of healthcare experience and either CNA or EMT certification. Some employers provide on-the-job training, and others require completion of short phlebotomy and EKG courses and a CNA license.

CNAs who get tired of working in long-term care may find the challenge of ER work invigorating. Due to the short-term nature of the department, ER techs encounter new patient scenarios every day and are continually learning new skills. And they get to work with and learn from doctors much more often than when working in nursing homes or other similar facilities. The average annual salary for ER techs is $46,381 per year.

5. Rehab Technician

Rehab technicians (also called mobility technicians) help physical and occupational therapists provide functional rehabilitation care to patients. They maintain equipment, transport clients, and assist with treatments to help patients regain mobility, speech, and auditory functions.

For the most part, rehab technicians don’t need any additional training beyond CNA to move into this role. Still, most providers want applicants to have at least one year of healthcare experience or 1,800+ hours of CNA experience.

Salaries for rehab technicians are similar to those for CNAs. While this career path may not come with a pay increase, many CNAs find these roles particularly rewarding, as they get to help patients of all ages recover and heal from injuries, surgeries, and medical issues.

6. Monitor Technician

Also referred to as EKG technicians, monitor technicians track patients’ heart performance and check for abnormalities using EKG tests, stress tests, and other technology. Monitor technicians don’t usually provide treatment, but they interpret test results and report changes to nursing staff.

Job qualifications vary among employers, but most prefer healthcare experience, and many provide on-the-job training. To stand out among other applicants, CNAs can pursue certification, such as Certified Cardiac Technician (CCT), Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT), and Certified ECG Technician (CET). Short, online courses that take two to four weeks can prepare students for national certification.

On average, monitor or EKG technicians make $40,300 per year—those with certifications can likely make more. This job may be a good fit for CNAs who want to specialize their skills and step away from some of the more basic patient care responsibilities.

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