If you have always loved helping people, and you feel fulfilled when you take care of someone other than yourself, you may be considering a career as a home health aide (HHA). Working as an HHA can be incredibly rewarding, and some people do it for decades; however, it can also serve as the first stepping stone toward a lucrative career as a health care provider. Regardless of the career trajectory you hope for, you can get started at IGBANS Institute of Vocational Training in Springfield Gardens, NY.

Exploring the Career Opportunities of a Home Health Aide

Practicing

If you have always wanted a career in health care, working as a home health aide is the perfect way to start. This position requires the least amount of training, but it allows a lot of one-on-one time with clients, so providers can perfect their bedside manner.

If you enjoy working as an HHA but decide that you want to work in an actual nursing facility—or you just want to take on more responsibility—you can aim to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). CNAs typically have more job opportunities than HHAs because they can work in all kinds of health care facilities. CNA training includes the completion of a 125-hour program and a 30-hour internship.

CNAs work incredibly hard, but they do not necessarily make enough to support large families. If you want to pursue a more lucrative job after working as a CNA for a few years, the next step would be to pursue nursing and eventually become a Registered Nurse. Most CNAs find it fairly easy to meet the passing requirements for nursing school because they already have so much hands-on experience.

Teaching

If you think you will get tired of providing hands-on care after a few years, you may want to consider a career trajectory that involves teaching. You will have to complete considerably more schooling, but both HHA and CNA schedules are fairly flexible and offer night and weekend hours, so you could attend school during the day and eventually become a CNA instructor.

If you are interested in becoming a home health aide or CNA, head to IGBANS Institute of Vocational Training in Springfield Gardens, NY. To learn more about their CNA program or the courses they offer, visit their website. You can enroll today by calling (718) 276-8100.