The CNA Shortage: A Critical Need in Care That’s Not Going Away
As the demand for healthcare continues to rise, the need for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) is more urgent than ever. Yet across the country, facilities are facing a serious staffing shortage—a challenge that not only impacts care quality but puts added pressure on the CNAs who are already working hard every day.
A recent study highlights key issues: low wages, high turnover, and difficulty in recruitment (Stone et al., 2024). The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) also projects a nationwide shortage of over 78,000 full-time registered nurses by 2025 (AACN, 2024), adding to the strain on frontline care providers like CNAs.
How RN Shortages Impact CNAs
When there aren’t enough registered nurses to go around, CNAs often feel the consequences first. With fewer RNs available to oversee and support care, CNAs take on heavier workloads, assist more patients, and may even be asked to help with duties outside their standard responsibilities. This imbalance can lead to increased stress, reduced morale, and quicker burnout—making it even harder to retain quality CNAs. It also places pressure on the entire care team, risking delays in service and a dip in care quality.
For those already in the field, this is a call to action—to support one another, push for better standards, and encourage new talent to consider this vital, meaningful path in healthcare. And for anyone thinking about a future in care, now is the time. Your dedication could make a life-changing difference.
At Life-Ed 4 Nurses, we’re proud to support and educate future CNAs, helping them step confidently into a profession that truly matters.
References:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2024). Nursing shortage fact sheet. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
Stone, R. I., Bryant, N. S., & Lepore, M. J. (2024). “It’s not just about the pay”: Exploring Certified Nursing Assistant Recruitment and Retention in Nursing Homes. The Gerontologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf126
