CNA and/or Certified Home Health Aid?

Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN · Jan 28, 2009

Well, I'm in Michigan and HHA pays less even though it's easier. But the Home Health Angencies don't always give you consistent work--there can be periods where you will have no assignments. Wheras with CNA,, if you work in a nursing home you can consistently make good money and pick up on hours from other employees. I would go with CNA IMO, because some home health agencies hire CNAs, while nursing homes don't hire HHAs at all

adorblepuppy · Jan 29, 2009

Aren't they the same thing.

kungfu_panda · Feb 1, 2009

They are essentially the same thing as far as responsibilities, but a HHA travels from one place to another while a CNA stays in one facility taking care of several residents. However, I've heard that a HHA doesn't work with a set schedule. When they finish visiting all their clients, they can go home and still get paid for the whole day; whereas a CNA has to work for the entire shift.

finngirl · Mar 2, 2009

I worked noc in an AL facility for 15 months

and that was good experience for a newbie

the hours were consistent/32-36 per week,

but I was frustrated

by feeling like I had to rush thru cares

to get rounds done/all the pages answered

I've been w/ a home care/hospice agency for 14 months

and it's soooo much better

we're scheduled on the hour ...

the one-on-one is very rewarding

travel time/visit time is paid the same

and we're reimbursed for mileage

we work every other weekend

and sometimes/not always get a weekday off

during our 7-day week

so we usually work 12 in a row

we specify our availability:

# of hours - morning/afternoon/evening/PRN ...

and our scheduler is pretty good about that

my pts are approx 90% hospice/10% home care ...

approx 75% at home/25% in facilities

I'm scheduled for anywhere from 20-30 visits per week

but, adding travel time, 20 can = 25 and 30 can = 36

it's nice to get a break after every visit

and the traveling helps to clear my mind

it's almost like being self-employed:

I don't deal w/ co-workers or the last/the next shift

our owners treat us unbelievably well

and nearly w/o exception,

I would entrust the care of my loved ones

to my home health "team"

I enjoy my Pts/my job so much I can't believe they pay me!

CNAMichelle · Mar 2, 2009

Hi,I took the nursing assistant course thru the Red Cross an HHA training was included,at graduation we got certificates in hha,alzheimers,HIV/AIDES/nat(course) and "help with self administerd meds" the course costed $810 including state exams.