Passing your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) state certification exam is a major achievement, but at One Health & Beyond in Stoughton, Massachusetts, it is truly just the starting point.
Many people assume CNA jobs are limited to nursing homes or hospitals, but our graduates prove otherwise every year. They land rewarding roles across a variety of settings, from traditional facilities to more flexible or specialized environments. Your CNA credential from our program opens doors to immediate employment, higher earning potential, and even long-term career growth.
Our hands-on training prepares students with practical skills, strong communication, infection control, and patient care confidence. This makes our graduates stand out to employers throughout Massachusetts. Here is a detailed look at the jobs our CNA graduates actually get after certification, including common settings, hidden opportunities, ways to earn more, and how we support their success.
Top Job Settings Our Graduates Enter
The majority of our graduates start in these high-demand areas, where Massachusetts has ongoing workforce needs due to an aging population and healthcare shortages.
Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities
This remains one of the most common paths for our graduates. They assist elderly residents with daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and vital signs monitoring. Shifts are often stable, with opportunities to build long-term relationships.
In areas like Stoughton, Brockton, and Greater Boston, nursing homes frequently hire quickly. One of our 2025 graduates started full-time at a local nursing home within three weeks of certification and received two pay raises in her first year due to excellent performance.
Home Health Agencies
Many graduates prefer home health for flexible schedules that fit family life or further studies. They provide one-on-one care in patients’ homes, including personal hygiene, light housekeeping, meal prep, and health monitoring. This role allows deeper patient connections with less chaos than facility work.
With Massachusetts seniors preferring to age in place, demand is high. A graduate from our recent class secured a part-time home health position near Stoughton, balancing work with childcare while using our program’s communication skills to build quick trust with clients.
Hospitals
Graduates seeking higher pay and diverse experiences often enter hospital roles. They support nurses by taking vital signs, assisting with transfers, helping with daily living activities, and transporting patients. Positions are common in medical-surgical units or rehab floors in Boston-area hospitals.
The work is fast-paced and demanding but offers exposure to varied cases and strong benefits like health insurance and tuition reimbursement. One of our alumni landed an entry-level hospital job in Boston six months after certification and is now preparing for Licensed Practical Nurse training.
Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Centers
These settings offer a balance between care and independence. Graduates help residents with meals, mobility, and activities, or support rehab patients recovering from surgery or illness. The environment feels less clinical, and progress is visible over time. Several graduates report positive experiences here, appreciating the chance to organize resident activities alongside personal care.
Hidden or Alternative Paths Our Graduates Explore
Beyond the basics, some graduates discover less obvious but rewarding options that match their lifestyle.
- School Health Aides: Public and private school districts in Massachusetts hire CNAs to support school nurses, manage health records, provide basic first aid, and assist students with special needs. Schedules often align with the school calendar, offering weekends, holidays, and summers off—ideal for parents. Indeed shows dozens of openings in Greater Boston and Norfolk County.
- Correctional Facilities: State or county facilities hire CNAs for inmate healthcare, often with government benefits like pensions and structured environments. Pay tends to be higher due to security protocols—roles start around $21–$30 per hour in places like Norfolk or Shirley. Graduates who value stability find this path appealing.
- Urgent Care Centers and Clinics: In urgent care or outpatient clinics, CNAs handle vital signs, patient intake, room preparation, and sometimes administrative tasks like electronic health records. The pace is quick but involves less heavy lifting than bedside care. Chains and local clinics in Stoughton and Boston areas post frequent openings.
Credential Stacking: How Our Graduates Earn More
Being a CNA is powerful, but adding certifications makes graduates indispensable. Our program gives students an edge here.
CNA + MAP Certification In Massachusetts, the Medication Administration Program (MAP) allows CNAs to administer meds in group homes or community settings. Employers prioritize dual-certified staff, leading to supervisory roles or higher wages. Many students complete MAP through us for this boost.
CNA + HHA Dual Certification Agencies love hiring those with both credentials. It provides flexibility—if facility shifts slow, home care cases fill the gap. Our training covers extra home management skills.
The Financial Reality: Shift Differentials and Per Diem
Do not focus only on base pay. In Massachusetts, extras add up fast:
- Night shifts often add $2–$6 per hour.
- Weekends command higher rates.
- Per diem (on-call) roles pay more—sometimes $22–$30 per hour—since no benefits are provided (great if covered elsewhere).
Starting hourly wages range from $18–$24 overall, with averages around $20–$22 (higher in hospitals or corrections). Overtime and bonuses are common in shortages.
How We Support Graduates in Landing These Jobs
One Health & Beyond goes beyond certification. We offer resume building, interview practice, guidance on Massachusetts requirements (background checks, continuing education), and connections to local employers in Stoughton, Boston, and nearby areas. Many students get offers through these partnerships before finishing.
Using CNA as a Stepping Stone While immediate jobs are the focus, many graduates advance to Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, or even Nurse Practitioner (FNP) roles. CNA experience provides clinical hours for PA or nursing school applications, and employers often offer tuition help.
Conclusion
Our CNA graduates at One Health & Beyond do not get stuck in one path—they thrive in diverse, meaningful roles across Massachusetts. From nursing homes and home health to schools, corrections, and clinics, the options are real and achievable. With our training, support, and Massachusetts demand, graduates build stable careers with financial rewards and personal satisfaction.
Ready to join our successful graduates and start your healthcare journey? Contact One Health & Beyond today to check upcoming CNA classes in Stoughton or explore enrollment. Your certification can lead to the job—and future—you deserve.
