The plague of unemployment continues to infect the nation leaving many frustrated, hungry and in some cases, homeless. A job, however, can be yours in as little as 180 hours of training provided you meet the requirements necessary to become a CNA.

A CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant and one of the few areas of the nation projected to experience job growth by the US Department of Labor during this period of shrinking opportunity.

The main function of a Certified Nursing Assistant is to assure the performance of Activities of Daily Living for individuals suffering ailments inhibiting their ability to perform such functions. ADL's are the everyday functions we often take for granted.

Not everyone is physically able to get out of bed in the morning. Eating, dressing and washing are often difficult tasks and in some cases impossible. There are many reasons why people cannot perform ADL's. Stroke is the leading cause often leaving a person with paralysis affecting everything from speech to swallowing. Stroke victims need help as do those suffering with Parkinson's and MS. The proper training puts you in a position of employment assisting them.

Many adult education centers provide for the training required to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. The requirements for entering such a program are not as complex as you would think. First and foremost is a High School Diploma or equivalency. You will also be required to pass a TABE test. The Test for Adult Basic Education is a multiple-choice exam measuring your reading and mathematical skills. Practice tests can be found on the internet. Some schools may ask for a written essay describing why you are seeking a career as a CNA.

Other requirements include a criminal background check and health records. You cannot gain access to a State Registry for certification if you have any felony arrests in your background. Health records must provide for evidence of such shots as MMR, measles, mumps and rubella. If you can't find medical records proving you are up to date on all required vaccines, ask your doctor for a Titer test. The Titer is a blood test confirming anti-bodies for MMR. You will also be required to take a TB Test as well as provide a written statement as to whether you have ever had Chicken Pox.

Among the many things you will learn during the course of your training are how to obtain vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiratory rates. You will also learn CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Other lessons learned include the art of making a bed with a person in it. You'll also have an opportunity to put these lessons to use as nearly half of your class time is devoted to on hand clinical time in various health care centers.

The drawback of life as a Certified Nursing Assistant centers can be found in weekly paychecks. The US Department of Labor defines this field as a low paying field, but in tough times low pay is better than no pay at all.

The work is often a strain on the back as there is a lot of lifting and moving in patient care. The rewards are often found, however, in the faces of those you assist and comfort. There is also a large field of opportunity for those who enter the field.

After only a year of service, many employers will pay for a CNA to add Med-tech certification to their credentials. This can be accomplished in as little as 12 weeks. The next step up is acquiring a license as an LPN. If you're drowning in these stormy economic seas, career training as a CNA may well be the lifeboat you've been looking for.