The healthcare industry has changed a lot. In 2026, being a Certified Nursing Assistant or CNA does not mean you have to work the same shift every day at the same nursing home.
We are seeing a big change called the Gig Economy in healthcare. Just like drivers use Uber to find rides, CNAs in Massachusetts are now using mobile apps to find high paying shifts whenever they want.
At One Health and Beyond, we train our students to pass the exam and also teach them how to find these new kinds of jobs. This new market offers freedom, flexibility, and more money.
Here is how you can use your CNA license to find instant work and increase your income this year.
1. The Rise of Nursing Apps
You do not have to wait weeks for a job interview anymore. In 2026, staffing agencies are on your phone. You can use apps like IntelyCare, Clipboard Health, ShiftKey, Nursa, and CareRev. These apps show open shifts at nearby facilities, and you can book them instantly.
No Minimum Hours: You can work 40 hours one week and zero hours the next week. You are the boss.
Higher Pay Rates: Because these facilities need help quickly, they pay more. A regular staff CNA might make 19 to 24 dollars an hour. But a CNA using these apps to fill an urgent shift can earn 25 to 35 dollars an hour. The pay is even higher on nights and weekends.
Instant Pay: Many apps offer instant transfer. You can finish your shift at 3 PM and have the money in your bank account by dinner time.
2. Top Apps Active in Massachusetts
In the Stoughton, Brockton, and Greater Boston areas, our graduates use these popular apps:
IntelyCare: This company was started in Quincy, Massachusetts. It is very popular here. They treat you like an employee, which means they handle your taxes and offer benefits. They have many shifts in the Boston and South Shore areas.
Clipboard Health: This app is known for high hourly rates and has a lot of shifts available. It is great for finding work on weekends.
ShiftMed: This app lets you book guaranteed shifts in advance. This helps you plan your weekly schedule.
Nursa: This app focuses on shifts that are needed immediately. It has very high demand in the Boston area.
CareRev: It is quick to sign up, and they have good options in both nursing homes and hospitals.
3. How to Increase Your Hourly Pay
If you want to earn the highest amount, which can be over 35 dollars an hour on holidays, use this strategy:
Get Your MAP Certification: Add the Medication Administration Program certification to your CNA license. Group homes often pay 2 to 4 dollars more per hour for staff who can give medication.
Work Nights and Weekends: Facilities pay extra for these times. Working Friday nights or Sunday mornings often adds 3 to 8 dollars per hour to your pay automatically.
Drive a Little Farther: If you drive 20 or 30 minutes outside your town, for example from Stoughton to Plymouth, the pay rates often go up because fewer workers are available there.
Open Your Schedule: Set your app profile to accept nights and weekends. Facilities pay much more for these shifts because they are hard to fill.
4. Agency Work vs Facility Staff
You need to decide which type of work is better for you.
Facility Staff or Full Time: Choose this if you want stability, health insurance, paid time off, and want to know your patients personally. This is best for new graduates who want to build confidence.
Agency and Apps: Choose this if you want cash now, do not like office politics, and need a flexible schedule for school or children. You need to be confident in your skills. The pay is higher, but usually, there are no benefits.
Real Success Stories
One of our recent graduates named Sarah is a full time nursing student. Her class schedule changes every semester, so she could not keep a regular job.
Her strategy was simple. She keeps her CNA certification active and uses the IntelyCare app.
The result is that she picks up two shifts every weekend at a local nursing home. Because she works through the app, her pay is higher than the full time staff. She is paying for her school using her weekend earnings.
Conclusion
In 2026, your CNA certification is more than just a job license. It is a passport to financial freedom. Whether you want a stable career or just want extra shifts for vacation money, the work is there, and the pay is better than ever.
Do not wait. This flexible job market is growing fast, but you need your license first.
Contact One Health and Beyond in Stoughton today to sign up for our next CNA or MAP training class. Get certified, download the apps, and start earning.
