A certified nursing assistant (CNA) handles a lot of the basic medical care in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. It's a good entry-level position as it doesn't require the education and training of a registered or licensed practical nurse (RN or LPN). Like many fields, it's tougher to get work if you have a rap sheet, but it's not impossible.
CNA work requires a criminal background check. Some convictions can be forgiven, based on the circumstances. Others, such as sexual abuse or violent crimes, are red flags.
Western Governors University says a certified nurse's assistant helps patients and nursing home residents with basic medical needs, usually under the supervision of a licensed nurse. The work includes turning patients so they don't get bedsores, bathing and grooming patients, checking vital signs, cleaning their rooms, stocking supplies and taking care of wounds.
Advertisement Article continues below this adCNAs can be found in all kinds of settings where people need this kind of care. That includes nursing homes, long-term residential facilities, rehab centers, hospitals and adult daycare. Usually, the setting is one that needs more day-to-day routine care than intense clinical intervention. Nursing homes employ them the most. For many CNAs, the job is a stepping stone, a way to gain experience before becoming a full nurse.
The requirements for CNAs are less rigorous than those of an RN or LPN. Each state sets its own requirements, most of which include state-approved training. These classes run for four to eight weeks, teaching the basics of patient care. Then comes certification, which usually requires a knowledge test, plus an exam for demonstrating your skills.
You also have to pass a background check, CNA Classes Near You says. Disqualifying convictions for CNA certification can kill your career but licensing boards work on a case-by-case basis. The nature of the crime and the circumstances around it may prevent damage.
Advertisement Article continues below this adIt's best to be completely upfront about any felony convictions or other problems on your record. In the Internet age, the chance of anyone missing a public record showing you're a felon is slim to none. Trying to hide it will make things worse, so honesty is both ethical and smart. Your employer will also have to check your background.
Regulators don't treat all crimes alike. The North Carolina Board of Nursing, for instance, says it can only deny an applicant if the conviction is for a violent or sexual crime, or because it directly relates to CNA duties. You should provide the board with certified court documents for all convictions, whether misdemeanors or felonies. The board also wants a detailed explanation of the events and pertinent details.
The board will consider all relevant factors: the seriousness of the crime, the circumstances, how long ago it happened and how old you were. If you've served your time and can show you've been rehabilitated, or that you've completed drug or alcohol treatment, that's also a factor. Character references don't hurt.
Advertisement Article continues below this adIt's possible to get your license with a conviction and there are nursing homes that hire felons. Pot possession, sex work and speeding are crimes that licensing boards and employers will often overlook. Elder abuse and neglect relate directly to your role as a caregiver and are much more of a red flag.