CNA stands for Certified Nurse Aide. It is also sometimes referred to as a Certified Nursing Assistant or simply a Nurse Aide. The abbreviation would stay the same, as an NA refers to a Nurse Anesthetist. There is an abbreviation, HHA, which stands for Home Health Aide. Completion of a CNA program (without state exam) is sufficient education to work as an HHA. This means a CNA program graduate can work as an HHA until they pass the CT state certification to be a Certified Nurse Aide.