Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are required in every institution to support patient care staff and help them care for patients, manage their wellbeing, and more. As healthcare evolves, its requirements and challenges change; therefore, staffing requirements are affected. Among the roles most affected are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), whose work is essential in both physical and mental health settings. At the same time, mental health staffing agencies are stepping into a critical leadership role, supporting not only clinicians but also the broader healthcare workforce, including CNAs, by connecting them to purposeful roles, professional support, and environments where they can thrive. For agencies seeking quality CNA talent or CNAs seeking meaningful opportunities in mental health environments, understanding how staffing agencies operate is the first step to success. Empower Care stands at the forefront of this partnership model, bridging gaps for job seekers and employers alike, particularly in per diem placements where flexibility, reliability, and quality matter most.
The Role of CNAs Within Mental Health and Healthcare Settings
They are the heart of the patient care centres. Though often associated with long-term care environments like nursing homes, CNAs are equally vital in mental health settings, where compassionate, person-centred Care forms the foundation of wellbeing.
In mental health care, CNAs may assist with:
- Basic daily living activities for patients facing cognitive or emotional challenges
- Monitoring behavioural cues that may indicate distress
- Supporting adherence to personalised care plans
- Offering presence and consistency that build patient trust
- Documenting observations that inform clinical decision-making
These contributions are deeply relational and require both clinical skill and emotional intelligence. For agencies depending on high-quality CNAs, the goal isn’t just recruitment; it’s also measuring job satisfaction, engagement, and retention to improve patient outcomes.
Growing Demand for CNA Talent in Mental Health Services
Well, staffing requirements in healthcare cannot be predicted; they change with the challenges. For example, we all have witnessed COVID-19; more hands on deck were still coming out, but fewer. But still, let’s understand what drives the growing demand -
- Ageing populations require a blend of physical and emotional support
- Mental health care is increasingly integrated into community-based services
- Healthcare facilities struggle to maintain staffing amidst turnover
- Organizations seek flexible staffing solutions (per diem, temp-to-perm, long-term)
As specialised needs grow, so do the needs for flexibility and speed in staffing. Agencies for CNAs play a strategic role here, especially when paired with expert mental health staffing agencies that understand the nuances of patient care, regulatory expectations, and the human side of caregiving.
What Mental Health Staffing Agencies Bring to CNA Workforce Support
They function as workforce partners, offering a deep understanding of the unique demands and expectations of care environments where emotional regulation, safety, and empathy are paramount.
Here’s how they support agencies for CNA in meaningful ways:
1. Precision in Matching CNA Skills to Care Environments
Not all CNA positions are alike. A CNA working in a psychiatric unit may require different interpersonal skills, documentation habits, and behavioural awareness than a CNA working in post-surgical Care.
A mental health staffing agency:
- Understands the subtleties of specific care settings
- Evaluates CNA candidates on both clinical and emotional competencies
- Matches professionals to roles where they are most likely to succeed
This precision reduces turnover, enhances job satisfaction, and supports better patient outcomes.
2. Supporting Per Diem and Flexible Staffing Needs
Healthcare facilities today need flexibility to respond to:
- Unexpected staff absences
- Seasonal demand increases
- Fluctuating patient volumes
- Special programs or short-term assignments
For CNA agencies, this means having a pool of ready, qualified professionals who can step in without delay. Mental health staffing agencies specialise in supplying per diem workers, caregivers who are prepared to deliver quality care with minimal orientation time.
Empower Care, for example, maintains a roster of vetted CNAs who are equipped, credentialed, and ready to support care delivery on short notice.
3. Credentialing and Compliance Peace of Mind
Healthcare facilities must maintain strict compliance with state and federal regulations, and mental health staffing agencies ensure this by staying up to date on evolving legal requirements, providing peace of mind and reducing risk.
This means:
- Verifying certifications, licensure, and background checks
- Tracking immunisations and updated training
- Handling onboarding documentation
- Ensuring CNAs meet institutional and regulatory standards
For agencies that rely on CNAs, this reduces internal administrative burden and risk, especially in high-accountability settings such as mental health units or long-term care facilities.
4. Ongoing Support and Professional Development
A CNA’s job isn’t static. Each work environment introduces new protocols, diverse patient needs, and evolving care best practices.
Leading mental health staffing agencies:
- Provide ongoing training opportunities
- Offer resources on de-escalation, behavioural observation, and trauma-informed Care
- Keep caregivers informed of industry shifts
- Help CNAs build long-term careers, not just short-term placements
This kind of support empowers CNAs to do their best work and gives agencies access to talent that feels confident, competent, and supported.
The Impact of Strong CNA Support on Patient Care
From a patient perspective, the ripple effects of solid staffing are apparent:
- Consistency in caregiving
- Better communication between staff and families
- Fewer gaps in care routines
- Stronger observation and response processes
- A more therapeutic environment
Patients feel safer, families feel more at ease, and clinical teams operate more smoothly when CNAs are supported and confident. This impact is especially noticeable in mental health settings, where relationship and observation are key components of Care.
Facilities, CNAs, and Staffing Agencies Aligned
A mental health staffing agency functions at its best when:
- Facilities receive high-quality, dependable CNA talent
- CNAs receive fulfilling, well-matched roles
- Care teams experience continuity, not disruption
- Patients benefit from stable and compassionate support
Empower Care’s model fosters alignment rather than fragmentation, and that alignment drives better care delivery across the board.
Staffing That Strengthens the System
Support for CNAs isn’t just about filling shifts. It’s about building systems that equip caregivers to feel prepared, valued, and aligned with their workplace values. It’s about ensuring that patients receive consistent, compassionate Care. And it’s about enabling facilities to operate with confidence, even amid fluctuations in demand. Empower Care offers a modern, thoughtful approach to staffing, one that supports both caregivers and agencies as they pursue meaningful, sustained impact. If you’re seeking reliable, expert support in staffing Certified Nursing Assistants, whether per diem, temporary, or long-term, Empower Care stands ready to be your partner in staffing success. Because great Care starts with great support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How does per diem nursing work for surgery nurses?
Per diem nursing allows surgery nurses to work flexible, shift-based assignments instead of fixed full-time schedules through staffing agencies like Empower Care.
2. What are the main benefits of per diem nursing?
It offers flexible hours, competitive pay, and exposure to different surgical settings while maintaining work-life balance.
3. Does Empower Care help with credentialing?
Yes. Empower Care ensures surgery nurses are fully credentialed, compliant, and prepared before each assignment.
4. Is per diem nursing good for career growth?
Yes. It helps nurses gain diverse clinical experience, expand networks, and strengthen surgical skills.
5. How can I apply for per diem surgical assignments?
You can apply through the Empower Care website and connect with their staffing team to find suitable opportunities.
Your journey is yours, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Let Empower Care help you rise.
Learn More: Why Nurses Choose Per Diem Careers