Considering becoming a CNA?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I'm considering becoming a CNA then later becoming an RN. I'm wondering is this worth my time & effort. I've seen that the pay is quite low in Illinois, could be $11 hourly, I know it's good for experience but I don't want to be over worked and underpaid. Especially with the things they have to do.

My questions are basically how much is they pay, is it worth it & what are some tasks that they do?

Becoming a CNA before becoming a nurse is great experience. You learn the basics. Im not sure how it is in Illinois but in MN some employers will reimburse you for the CNA courses. Good luck and I hope all of these responses help you make a decision.

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Specializes in OB.

@MsKim: thanks! Good luck to you too!

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@MsKim I hate Everest...If I see one more commercial lol I most likely will go to ATS Institute of Technology downtown for the LPN program since I already passed the entrance exams and now I just need to take my accuplacer test for placement. They are accredidated,and no waiting list or pre reqs needed. You can graduate in 12 months or 16 months,depends on your tests and if you are transferring any courses in with a "b" average. Your mom is in the field that I wanna go into :) I want to work in neonatal nursing and make my way to be a neonatal nurse practitioner! When you get a chance ask her do I need to work in pediatrics first to gain experience and then go do the certification? Thanks!

I want to work in the NICU also. I surely will ask her for u. :D I heard Everest financial aid sucks lol but the program is so quick thats why I want to go. I'm wondering if it's a limit on how much financial aid I can get. Because after my lpn i plan on taking Pre-Reqs at PSC then going to a University for the RN. I'll have to chech out the Institute of Technology. It sounds familiar, I might already have.

What's the difference from neonatal nursing to a neonatal practitioner?

Congrats on passing!

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Thank you so much. =) These replies are helping. :D

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Thank u!

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Which Everest location you plan on going to? As far as financial aid goes I know on loans since you are considered independent student(you have children) you may qualify for up to 57,500 for undergrad no more of 23k in subsidized. $138,500 for graduate students..Pell Grants you may qualify for too in the amount of $5,500 per 2 semesters. The maximum is 12 semesters now 600% so it will go down and once that runs out thats it. That does not have to be repaid. There are scholarships available for nursing too.

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Now the difference between Nicu nurse and nurse practitioner is just their degree, An RN has an associates or bachelors with certification in neonatal and all that good stuff,a practitioner is an Rn or Advanced practice nurse (APN) who advances their degree to a Masters(NP),needs some years of work experience in the field and obtains certification in whatever specialty they want to work in like family nurse,neonatal,gerontology,womens health...etc Similar to being a Doctor without being in school 4ever! Lol You can have your own practice,write prescriptions and everything just like them :)) I had a dream of myself doing this and I guess that was Gods way of telling me "Dont Limit Yourself" so Im gonna shoot for it,wont hurt to try!

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Specializes in OB.

MsKim: neonatal nursing is what an RN with either an AS or a BSN does when they work in NICU. To be a neonatal NP you have to have a master's in nursing. In our hospital there's A couple of neonatologist's and they have a few Neonatal NP's that are under them. They can attend a c/s or a delivery and if needed they can decide to transfer the newborn to NICU for further testing.

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@ nguyency77 Really? Interesting . . the pay rates seem like not one can agree on a set rate but I understand it's nursing & experience plus certifications vary on the pay rate. What is LTC?

LTC is long-term care, or a nursing home. My state just increased our minimum wage, so instead of making $7.75, some CNAs here now make $8.50. Whoopie! The pay seems to be all over the place. When I was a CNA, I made $11.75. Other nursing homes in my area that I applied to were trying to hire CNAs for $8 and med techs for $9.

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I live in central WI and previously worked LTC as a CNA. It was a county job and paid $12.89. I just began working at an ALF as a CNA and I earn a little over $10. Just my two cents. I didn't actually read this whole thread, sorry if I messed it up! :)

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Now the difference between Nicu nurse and nurse practitioner is just their degree, An RN has an associates or bachelors with certification in neonatal and all that good stuff,a practitioner is an Rn or Advanced practice nurse (APN) who advances their degree to a Masters(NP),needs some years of work experience in the field and obtains certification in whatever specialty they want to work in like family nurse,neonatal,gerontology,womens health...etc Similar to being a Doctor without being in school 4ever! Lol You can have your own practice,write prescriptions and everything just like them :)) I had a dream of myself doing this and I guess that was Gods way of telling me "Dont Limit Yourself" so Im gonna shoot for it,wont hurt to try!

Oh wow I never knew you could go so far with nursing. I do hope u make it. You definitely can with such a optimistic attitude. :D Good Luck! My mother said u can go right into the NICU as a new grad. Only thing they require is a BSN. That's how it is at her hospital. No certification or going through different levels. :) I'd look around though. Google "NICU Jobs Il"

I just did & found these :

Nursing - Nurse Clinician Ii\nicu jobs in Chicago

https://chs.taleo.net/careersection/10001/jobdetail.ftl?job=918047&src=JB-12080

They don't require much once you are done with schooling. Hopefully once you obtain ur LPN & start working as one that will count as experience for these kinds of jobs. :)

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@ mom2banurse : Thankyou :)

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