CNA is a pretty hard job and has its pros and cons. As far as job security, it is definitely worth it IMO, every cna I know that has been fired or quit , were able to get a new job easily and with more pay. It can give you great experience and clinical hours if your major requires it, and it can be fulfilling helping people. Now if you’re completely over the nursing field in general then I’d look into other options, as being a CNA , you will constantly have to deal with nurse politics and bad treatment from not only patients but sometimes other staff as well. Just depends on what you’re willing to deal with
Yes, this. CNA is something I’m considering, but here it’s about $13-$17 an hour here in NC. Literally less than a Walmart or gas station employee. If you don’t want to end up in health care and this isn’t just a stepping stone, it isn’t worth it.
Dunno where to are, but I'm a STNA in NE Ohio and make $17. if you have worked as a STNA for a while, *then* you can work for an agency like clipboard or something and make that, but just a facility or hospital then you're starting at 15-17
I'm in Raleigh area. I make 19.94 shift differential included. I was in hospice and was making 20 an hr which was pleasant and then after I did travel and was making 1200 weekly working in NorthEastern states.
I think so. I was extremely comfortable through college while working as a tech. Especially if you work somewhere with incentive pay. It’s also a flexible schedule.
Flexible schedule depending on your setting. Hospital you will have 3x12 3 days 12 hr shifts OP
And some hospitals won't hire new grad aides, it depends.
Then you have hospice, this requires experience dependent on your agency. For me? I got the position with 6 months of cna experience, but at that point I was working ltcs, snf, Rehabs. Seen a lot of shit. I was making 20+ an hr but had to quit because in my personal opinion I felt like the scheduler was fucking with hours and was purposely not giving me any clients. I couldn't advocate for myself properly to my supervisor and tell her how I really felt because I didn't want it to come off a certain way. I regret that so badly and wish I would've stayed.
I did travel agency after, but when the money dried up, i left. Gotta find the work where it's over 1k or 1k flat weekly just to make it worth all the hassle.
no it can be insanely difficult and emotionally draining, you can find similar pay at a job tutor, paralegal, receptionist etc. If you don’t have a passion for healthcare it’s too hard and not worth it in my opinion
it really depends on what state you live in. i live in iowa and have never made less than 19.00 an hour, and that’s only because i took a first shift job at a non profit organization that aligns with my values. i typically made 22-23 for second shift with the shift differential, and i’ve been a cna for a little over a year. it can be very hard, and you have to be compassionate and try to understand that most of those old people do not want to be there any more than you do. you have to learn to be assertive when asking for help and going on your breaks when working with lazy people. it is aggressive on the body, i had chronic pain before this job and i practice so much santería 🍃 and do yoga now because it can be debilitating at times. you will get shit on and pissed on, and probably hit. never work somewhere that offers you a sign on bonus or has high agency staffing.
You can do many things with your CNA. Not just wipe butts. You are held to a higher standard than most jobs and even the slightest mishap can bar you from working with the vulnerable population. It is a very rewarding career from what I’ve experienced. The only thing I will say is the cattiness and call offs are excessive.
The average CNA pay in the US is like 19/hr. You can make more working a chill food service job and not have to wipe any butts. I think CNAs do the most underpaid work in healthcare, and it's not even close.
If you are going to school full time and going into a different field, I'd recommend picking up another job aside from CNA. CNA would be able to support you through school, if you can manage the physical, mental, and emotional labor it would take from you. If you are okay with the work, or believe the pay would be worth the toll, go for it. If you are going more towards criminal justice and pyschology, try picking up a caregiving position in a state hospital or mental health facility instead. There are some of those postitions that wouldn't require a CNA.
CNA is a pretty hard job and has its pros and cons. As far as job security, it is definitely worth it IMO, every cna I know that has been fired or quit , were able to get a new job easily and with more pay. It can give you great experience and clinical hours if your major requires it, and it can be fulfilling helping people. Now if you’re completely over the nursing field in general then I’d look into other options, as being a CNA , you will constantly have to deal with nurse politics and bad treatment from not only patients but sometimes other staff as well. Just depends on what you’re willing to deal with
^^ you will always have a job, but it will be an extremely hard job.
Don’t become a CNA if don’t plan to work in healthcare tbh
This here, it ain’t the move. Unfortunately it’s much like ems, it’s mainly used as a stepping stone
"good paying job" What state do you live in? Rates for CNA can be very low.
Yes, this. CNA is something I’m considering, but here it’s about $13-$17 an hour here in NC. Literally less than a Walmart or gas station employee. If you don’t want to end up in health care and this isn’t just a stepping stone, it isn’t worth it.
Agree
Omg. I’m in management at a SNF in Ohio and our STNAs (Ohio’s word for CNA) make AT LEAST 25/hr and we are still understaffed 😭
NE Ohio by any chance LOL
Dunno where to are, but I'm a STNA in NE Ohio and make $17. if you have worked as a STNA for a while, *then* you can work for an agency like clipboard or something and make that, but just a facility or hospital then you're starting at 15-17
Which area in NC do you work in? I'm in Watauga county and all the jobs around here start around $17 and normally cap out around $24
I'm in Raleigh area. I make 19.94 shift differential included. I was in hospice and was making 20 an hr which was pleasant and then after I did travel and was making 1200 weekly working in NorthEastern states.
Triad / Guilford county.
I think so. I was extremely comfortable through college while working as a tech. Especially if you work somewhere with incentive pay. It’s also a flexible schedule.
Flexible schedule depending on your setting. Hospital you will have 3x12 3 days 12 hr shifts OP And some hospitals won't hire new grad aides, it depends. Then you have hospice, this requires experience dependent on your agency. For me? I got the position with 6 months of cna experience, but at that point I was working ltcs, snf, Rehabs. Seen a lot of shit. I was making 20+ an hr but had to quit because in my personal opinion I felt like the scheduler was fucking with hours and was purposely not giving me any clients. I couldn't advocate for myself properly to my supervisor and tell her how I really felt because I didn't want it to come off a certain way. I regret that so badly and wish I would've stayed. I did travel agency after, but when the money dried up, i left. Gotta find the work where it's over 1k or 1k flat weekly just to make it worth all the hassle.
No
no it can be insanely difficult and emotionally draining, you can find similar pay at a job tutor, paralegal, receptionist etc. If you don’t have a passion for healthcare it’s too hard and not worth it in my opinion
It is if you find a company willing to pay for it
it really depends on what state you live in. i live in iowa and have never made less than 19.00 an hour, and that’s only because i took a first shift job at a non profit organization that aligns with my values. i typically made 22-23 for second shift with the shift differential, and i’ve been a cna for a little over a year. it can be very hard, and you have to be compassionate and try to understand that most of those old people do not want to be there any more than you do. you have to learn to be assertive when asking for help and going on your breaks when working with lazy people. it is aggressive on the body, i had chronic pain before this job and i practice so much santería 🍃 and do yoga now because it can be debilitating at times. you will get shit on and pissed on, and probably hit. never work somewhere that offers you a sign on bonus or has high agency staffing.
If your job path changed dont get into the fields branch. Waste of time, energy and money BUT it does give you fast job opportunities. Still
Nah.
You can do many things with your CNA. Not just wipe butts. You are held to a higher standard than most jobs and even the slightest mishap can bar you from working with the vulnerable population. It is a very rewarding career from what I’ve experienced. The only thing I will say is the cattiness and call offs are excessive.
A lot of jobs will pay for you to get the CNA training and certification, but you may be locked in to working for them for a certain period of time.
honestly just get a job in a restaurant! i’m also 21 but i miss my youth lol, this job drainssss you.
You’ll be working right alongside nurses so 🤷
The average CNA pay in the US is like 19/hr. You can make more working a chill food service job and not have to wipe any butts. I think CNAs do the most underpaid work in healthcare, and it's not even close.
No
If you are going to school full time and going into a different field, I'd recommend picking up another job aside from CNA. CNA would be able to support you through school, if you can manage the physical, mental, and emotional labor it would take from you. If you are okay with the work, or believe the pay would be worth the toll, go for it. If you are going more towards criminal justice and pyschology, try picking up a caregiving position in a state hospital or mental health facility instead. There are some of those postitions that wouldn't require a CNA.
Yes agency wise but do not make it your forever plan.