Have you always wanted to assist others within the field of healthcare? Maybe you are just starting on your career path, or perhaps you are seeking to change your field of employment. If this is where your heart and head lie, you have most likely considered the field of nursing. However, the road to obtaining your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Registered Nurse (RN), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can be very time-consuming and costly.
If you are looking for a quicker start to a satisfying career in the healthcare field, looking into becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Home Health Aide (HHA) can be an excellent idea. Both CNAs and HHAs can perform many similar tasks to nurses and serve others, but without incurring the expense of obtaining a more rigorous nursing degree.
Looking to start a rewarding healthcare career without years of schooling? With employment projected to grow 21% through 2033, certified nursing assistant jobs and home health aide jobs are abundant nationwide, offering excellent job security and career advancement opportunities.
At-a-Glance: CNA vs HHA Breakdown
Role
Work Setting
Average Salary
Training Required
CNA
Hospitals, nursing homes, facilities
$34,614-$39,000*
6 weeks + state exam
HHA
Patient homes, assisted living
$34,900 median**
120 hours
Certified Nursing Assistant: Your Clinical Care Path
What You’ll Do:
Provide skilled care in hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities
Handle multiple patients during shifts
Administer medications and use medical equipment
Monitor patient conditions and report changes
Assist with specialized care, like dementia or palliative care
Work Environment:
Fast-paced facility settings
Manage multiple patients simultaneously
Team-based healthcare environment
CNA Training duration: 6 weeks of comprehensive coursework covering medical terminology, patient care, and clinical skills, followed by a state board examination.
Flexible Training Options: SisuCare’s CNA certification programs are designed to fit your lifestyle with multiple learning formats:
Self-Paced Online Learning: Study on your own schedule with 24/7 access to course materials, interactive modules, and virtual simulations Learn More.
Instructor-Led Classroom: Traditional hands-on learning with experienced healthcare professionals, live demonstrations, and immediate feedback Learn More.
2025 Earning & Opportunity Outlook:
CNAs have seen steady income growth over recent years. Finding a CNA job is increasingly easier due to high demand across various healthcare settings. Current salaries average $34,614-$39,000* with projected 21.26% growth over five years, representing significant growth with CNAs making approximately $7,680 more than they did in 2017. Certified nursing assistant jobs are readily available across most regions, with CNAs typically paid at higher rates than HHAs due to their additional training and broader scope of practice.
Home Health Aide: Your Companion Care CareerYour Daily Impact:
Assist patients in their homes or retirement communities who may suffer from chronic illness, be in recovery from an acute event or procedure, or simply be elderly and need extra assistance and supervision
Monitor vital signs and provide basic medical care, including wound care and assistance with mobility devices
Help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and personal care
Serve as liaison between patients and their medical team members, being the first line in alerting the team to any sudden changes in both physical or mental health
Provide companionship and emotional support to patients who are often in a vulnerable state
Some HHAs are trained to deal with specialized equipment such as IV or feeding pumps, or even ventilators
Where You’ll Thrive:
Typically work with one patient at a time, unlike facility workers who may have multiple patients to handle simultaneously
Travel between different client homes and retirement communities
Build more personal, intimate care relationships with patients and their families
Home Health Aides may have several clients on their census but focus on individualized, one-on-one care
Work in a more relaxed, home environment rather than fast-paced clinical settings
HHA Training Duration: 120 hours of instruction, focusing on basic care, safety, and client communication.
SisuCare HHA Program: SisuCare’s HHA program provides in-depth training, equipping you with essential skills to excel in competitive home healthcare environments. Our curriculum emphasizes comprehensive patient care, stringent safety protocols, and specialized support techniques to ensure you are fully prepared for diverse client needs.
HHA 120-Hour Program:
Comprehensive training for those new to healthcare
Individuals who are 16 years and older are eligible.
No prior healthcare experience required
Covers fundamental patient care, safety protocols, and home health regulations
Includes extended clinical practice and mentorship
For further details regarding HHA clinical schedules, click hereHHA 120-Hour Program:
Comprehensive training for those new to healthcare
No prior healthcare experience required
Covers fundamental patient care, safety protocols, and home health regulations
Includes extended clinical practice and mentorship
2025 Earning & Opportunity Outlook for HHA:
Home health aide positions are growing rapidly, with median wages of $34,900 annually**. Those seeking home care aide jobs or home health care aide jobs will find competitive opportunities in both agency and private-pay settings.
Getting Started: What Training You’ll Need
CNA Training: 6 weeks of comprehensive coursework covering medical terminology, patient care, and clinical skills, followed by a state board examination.
HHA Training: 40-120 hours of instruction (varies by state and employer requirements), focusing on basic care, safety, and client communication.
Growing Your Career: Where You Can Go Next
Advancing from CNA:
Specialize in dialysis, medication administration, or dementia care
Advance to LPN/LVN programs (1 year)
Move into medical assistant roles (avg. $46,253)
Take on supervisory positions
Advancing from HHA:
Specialized equipment training
Work as a home care assistant in private duty
Care coordination roles
Transition to CNA with additional training
Your Healthcare Journey Starts Here
Both careers offer:
Quick entry (6 weeks for CNA, 120 hours for HHA)
Strong job security (21% growth projected)
Meaningful work helping others
No extensive education requirements
Flexible scheduling options
Starting Your Journey: With abundant home health aide positions and certified nursing assistant jobs available, now is an excellent time to enter healthcare. Both roles provide stable income, job satisfaction, and opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives.
