STNA Jobs Overview
State Tested Nursing Assistants (STNAs) perform essential duties within the healthcare landscape. Outside the state of Ohio, STNAs are referred to as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) or licensed nursing assistants (LNAs). Among their other responsibilities, STNAs help patients and residents with activities of daily living. The professionals who work in STNA jobs are the cornerstones of direct care.
Nursing assistant jobs are estimated to grow by 4% in the next decade — that's an increase of around 62,400 positions. As baby boomers age and chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity become more prevalent within the population, the demand for trained professionals to fill state tested nursing assistant jobs is expected to remain. You're likely to get an STNA job in skilled nursing facilities, as those work environments employ a large portion (33%) of these healthcare workers. Looking for a new STNA job? Start your search on IntelyCare today.
STNA Education and Skills
In order to be considered for STNA jobs in Ohio, you’ll need to complete an accredited nursing assistant program that’s been approved by the state’s nursing board, as well as pass a background check. You must not have any disqualifying violations. The coursework takes a total of 75 hours to finish and includes:
- 59 hours of lectures (can be completed online or in person).
- 16 hours of hands-on clinical experience.
You’ll be instructed on the basics of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, nutrition, and how to use certain equipment. In addition to these lessons, you’ll hone skills like effective communication, empathy, and problem-solving, all of which will be extremely helpful when caring for patients and fulfilling your responsibilities as a STNA.
When you’ve finished the training, you have four months to take and pass the state exam, which will make you eligible for STNA employment. To gain further insight into the other types of qualifications employers are looking for in STNA candidates, read our sample CNA job description.
STNA Resume and Cover Letter
Jobs for STNA professionals often require the submission of a resume and cover letter. In order to make your application stand out from the crowd, you’ll want to follow the best practices for an STNA resume. Include all necessary sections, like education, experience, and skills.
If you need help writing an STNA cover letter, follow this tip: Look at the job ad and see what the top requirements are. Then talk about how your skills align with an employer’s needs. For example, if a job ad says the ideal candidate will be familiar with planning activities for patients in assisted living facilities, be sure to talk about your experience in that area. This lets the reader know that you could be a valuable member of their caregiving team.
Interviewing
Arguably the most intimidating part of any job search, the interview is something for which you’ll want to prepare in advance. Get a head start by looking at some sample CNA interview questions, which are similar to the kinds of questions you’d be asked in an STNA interview. Take the time to practice delivering your answers in front of a mirror; doing this can help you identify your weak spots and gives you a chance to work out any wrinkles.
Ways of Working
You’ll find STNA jobs hiring in various types of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers, as well as in home healthcare. There are also different options for what kind of employment to pursue: full time, part time, contract, temporary, or per diem.
STNA Specialty Areas
You can choose which type of healthcare setting you'd like to work in. Examples include:
STNA Salary
The average annual nursing assistant salary is $39,610, but your pay will depend on your level of experience, the facility that employs you, as well as the geographic area in which you work. For example, the Cincinnati area pays an average $39,430; the Columbus area pays an average $39,270; and the Youngstown area pays an average $35,060. Outside of Ohio, these areas pay the highest salaries to nursing assistants:
Explore the current pediatric CNA positions on this page to learn how much employers are offering in your area.
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