1.Describe the specialty certification program for hospice and palliative nursing assistants.2.Discuss the impact of specialty certification on job satisfaction of hospice and palliative nursing assistants.3.Describe differences between certified and noncertified hospice and palliative nursing assistants related to their career outlook. In 2002, the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses developed the first specialty certification program for nursing assistants (NAs) in the nation. Over 4,500 NAs have met the requirements to become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA). Little is known about the relationship between certification and the job satisfaction and career orientation of these NAs. To evaluate the differences between certified and non-certified hospice and palliative NAs related to job satisfaction and career orientation. The Better Jobs Better Care Survey, previously validated as a measure of job satisfaction among NAs, was completed by a sample of 343 certified and 452 non-certified hospice and palliative NAs from across the nation. Independent-samples t-tests (and Wilcoxon methods when appropriate) were used to test for differences in the two groups. Compared to their non-certified colleagues, CHPNAs were more satisfied with their job (p = .045) and experienced job factors as more rewarding (p = .031). For example, they experienced a higher working team spirit (p = .023) and felt more valued by their supervisor/management (p = .041). They experienced fewer job-related problems (p = .021), such as being on their own too much (p = .012) and having a fear of being hurt on the job (p = .039). Certified NAs had increased wages (p < .001) and were more likely to view their job as a career (p < .001). CHPNAs more often view their jobs as a careers, make higher salaries, are more satisfied, and have fewer job related problems than those not certified.