Want to start a career in healthcare but don’t know where to start? Professionals in the nursing field would recommend becoming a Caregiver! Caregivers assist with a resident’s personal care: bathing, grooming, dressing, taking vitals, toileting, and exercise.

This position and any position in healthcare, works best with individuals that are patient, compassionate, and overall a responsible individual. Caregiver experience can form a solid foundation for a career in patient care and is readily transferable to other pathways.

With this in mind, we present four potential career paths for those who begin as a Caregiver:

1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Becoming a CNA is a natural progression since the responsibilities of a Caregiver and CNA heavily overlap. One key difference between the two is that CNAs require state certification and they can work not only in assisted living and memory care sites but also long-term care communities. 
2. Certified Medication Aide (CMA): CMAs work in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, administering medications to residents. As a CNA, you already have experience with patient care and can easily transition to becoming a CMA. To become a CMA, you will need to complete additional training and certification programs.
3. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Becoming an LPN is a common career advancement path for CNAs. LPNs have more responsibilities and earn a higher wage than CNAs. To become an LPN, you need a High School diploma or GED. Additionally, you must have graduated from an accredited LPN program.
4. Registered Nurse (RN): Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) is a great way to advance your career in the healthcare field. If you enjoy working in healthcare, this could be a great option for you. RNs have more job responsibilities and earn a higher wage than LPNs. To become an RN, you must complete a nursing program. This can be an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. After completing the program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Whether you decide to continue as a Caregiver or pursue one of these exciting career paths, all of them are in high demand. So if you’re ready to begin your healthcare journey, check out the opportunities available at our over 50 senior living sites across 5 states: cassialife.org/jobs.