Florida Hospitals (how much do CNA's get paid hourly?)

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in Geriatric and Mental Heath.

I just got my CNA FL license. I was really excited about my achievement, until I started looking for jobs... the pay is deplorable!!! 8.00-9.00 an hour? I could work at a fast food joint at those wages!!! No offense to the CNA's who make that much, but I just feel like.. for the hard work, you should get paid at least 12.00 an hour. I work as a Personal Care Assistant right now (all the CNA work without requiring a CNA license or pay 7.50 an hour) UGH! Obviously I'm not a CNA for the money, just the experience. I'm going to school for my BSN and want to get work experience for when I finally become an RN. How much do Florida hospitals pay for CNA's? Central Florida in particular. How do you get around the 1 year exp hurdle? Do I just have to pay my dues and apply in a year? I'm feeling discouraged. I'm barely making any money and have no health insurance. My job will only let me work PT so I can't get benefits. Crazy how I work in health care but can get health care...

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Specializes in Geriatric and Mental Heath.

By the way, I work in an assisted living facility from 11pm-7am.

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Yea unfortunately that sounds to familiar. Here in South Florida average pay is about $11-$13 an hour, working 12 hour shifts usually. I have spoken to quite a few CNA's and asked about their suggestions to finding the best places to work and most have said to look into home health care, working privately for a patient. More than likely they are willing to pay you what you are worth because they know they are getting that individual attention, as well as a companion type relationship, which tends to happen, since you will be with them so much. Just an idea!

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I work as a CNA on the space coast, PD and I make about 12.00 an hr. I love what I do and where I work. I am also in nursing school and the experience is a plus for me.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg/Orthopedic, ICU, ER.

I can't get over these wages...stupid question but, the cost of living in FL is a little less compared to some states, correct? I'm actually planning on relocating to FL, I'm currently a Rhode Island resident, I've been here my whole life and I've been a CNA for close to 5 years. At the hospital I'm employed at right now, I make $16.24/hour including my evening differential. I'm afraid what I may earn in FL won't quite add up to what I make in RI... but that's when I considered the general cost of living down there, their minimum wage rates, etc...if you're wondering, the economy up here is in shambles and it's most likely a little more expensive to live at all, lol! Any input appreciated on this one!!

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Specializes in Geriatric and Mental Heath.
LeighAnne85 said:
I can't get over these wages...stupid question but, the cost of living in FL is a little less compared to some states, correct? I'm actually planning on relocating to FL, I'm currently a Rhode Island resident, I've been here my whole life and I've been a CNA for close to 5 years. At the hospital I'm employed at right now, I make $16.24/hour including my evening differential. I'm afraid what I may earn in FL won't quite add up to what I make in RI...but that's when I considered the general cost of living down there, their minimum wage rates, etc...if you're wondering, the economy up here is in shambles and it's most likely a little more expensive to live at all, lol! Any input appreciated on this one!!

I am a NY transplant (moved to FL in May for nursing school). Yes, the standard of living is lower, but you also have to factor in gas. Down here you will be driving EVERYWHERE. If you are already used to that, then that wont be an issue for you. The public trans system is.... well, crap. Depending on where you move, you could drive maybe an hour each way to get to work and if you don't have a fuel efficient car (like me) your paycheck will vanish before you even see it. I'd say, if you don't HAVE to move to Florida, don't. if you are starting a family and want to buy an affordable home and you cant do that in RI, move to Florida. The CNA market is so congested down here. Jobs are hard to come by, even with experience. With experience, they want to pay you 9.00-10.00 (LTC) an hour and they want you to work crazy hours on top of that. The CNA's at my job are WAAAY overworked and underpaid and it shows. If you can get a good paying job with benefits at a hospital, go for it. GOOD LUCK to ya. I'm moving out of Florida as soon as I'm finished with the spring semester. :twocents:

S/N.... but... then again.... maybe I'm just spoiled because I grew up in the NYC area.... LOL

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg/Orthopedic, ICU, ER.

Well, New York and Rhode Island are close as far as living expenses and average wages! I did actually put some thought into traveling time to and from work down there. Most Rhode Islanders have a fit when they have to drive more than a half hour, lol! I got out of that mentality and realized there's millions of people in MUCH BIGGER states that drive an hour to work and that's normal! My boyfriend wants to move to FL, his parents did recently. He's going to be in the marine industry, as a mechanic/technician of some sort. I'm hoping that I can find a job for myself and a decent one at that. Looks like I'll be doing some hardcore research!

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There is no automobile tax in FL. That can save hundreds every year. No state income tax either. BUT - the property taxes are way high here, and that can mean thousands more every year, so rentals are up and housing is high. Groceries are higher than some places. Definitely do the research.

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LeighAnne85 said:
I can't get over these wages...stupid question but, the cost of living in FL is a little less compared to some states, correct? I'm actually planning on relocating to FL, I'm currently a Rhode Island resident, I've been here my whole life and I've been a CNA for close to 5 years. At the hospital I'm employed at right now, I make $16.24/hour including my evening differential. I'm afraid what I may earn in FL won't quite add up to what I make in RI...but that's when I considered the general cost of living down there, their minimum wage rates, etc...if you're wondering, the economy up here is in shambles and it's most likely a little more expensive to live at all, lol! Any input appreciated on this one!

Leightanne,

If you get a job at a hospital and work at night you could make in Fl what you do in RI. A friend of mine is a night CNA at the same hospital and she is making close to what you are in RI.

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I LOVE Florida...but then again I am partial because I have lived here my whole life ? If your boyfriend is going in the Marine Industry Fort Lauderdale is the place to be, as it is the "Venice of America" and there are so many opportunities in that industry here. As for you, pretty much all of FL I think is under paid as far as CNA's, its all about the same..$9.00-$12.00 (if you are lucky)..even hospitals are paying that...because they can. On the other hand, there is also a lot of wealthy establishments in South Florida (where I am) that are full of wealthy seniors that are willing to pay a pretty penny for your help..and they will. Go for the luxury assisted living centers, home care. I say go for it. Florida is a retirement state and lots of $$ down here willing to pay!

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Hey LeighAnne,

I was wondering what hospital do you work for because that is good pay and I'm going to be looking for a cna job in about three months and I wanted to make sure to get a good job with benefits?

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Specializes in ER, Med-surg.

$9.00 an hour is about what you will make working anywhere in SW Florida, I get insulted when I'm offered less than that. My friend's mother makes $13.00 an hour working as a CNA in a hospital, but she had 15 years of LTC experience in New York and worked there for 7 years.

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