Yes, a CNA course is an excellent choice for many people, especially if you want a fast, affordable entry into healthcare with real job security.
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course is widely considered one of the smartest and quickest ways to start a rewarding healthcare career. The program typically lasts only 4–12 weeks (75–180 hours, depending on your state) and costs $800–$3,000, making it far more accessible than most medical training paths.
Upon passing the state exam, you become a Certified Nursing Assistant and can start working immediately in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and assisted living facilities. Average U.S. CNA salary in 2025 ranges from $33,000–$45,000 per year ($16–$22 per hour), with higher pay in states like California, Alaska, New York, and Washington, D.C. Many employers offer evening/weekend shifts, overtime, shift differentials, and benefits even for part-time roles.
The job itself is meaningful: you help patients with daily activities (bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility), take vital signs, and provide emotional support. For compassionate people who enjoy direct patient interaction, the work is deeply fulfilling. It’s also physically and emotionally demanding lifting patients, dealing with illness/death, and handling difficult behaviors are part of the reality.
A CNA certificate is a proven stepping stone. Many nurses (LPNs and RNs) and other healthcare professionals began as CNAs. Hospitals and colleges often offer tuition reimbursement or preferential admission to employees who started as nursing assistants.
In short, if you need a stable job quickly, enjoy helping people, and can handle the physical/emotional aspects of bedside care, a CNA course is absolutely a good even great choice in 2025. Job growth remains strong (5–8% projected through 2032 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), and the credential never expires in most states as long as you work at least 8 hours every 24 months.