New CNA starting job search...need salary help!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hello. I will be done with my CNA course this week and license test is 12-5. I went on my 1st interview today at a facility in NJ that owns several others. I am doing clinical in one the same corp own as well and its AWFUL! This one is Beautiful! My question is, I am happy with the facility, hours etc...I was appalled to hear regardless of giving up bene's (have them with my husband) that the starting salary is 12.00 an hour!! Is it me or is it peanuts for the amount of work we do as CNA's?? I have been doing hair for 23 years and this is the start of a new career for me. I was called back for a 2nd interview and I don't know what to do...I was hoping for a hospital job and have applied. I want to take it to gain experience but have heard the avg starting in a LTC facility is 13.50 in NWNJ. I know this topic has been visited before and according to the internet, a 12.00 salary is like 2008. Can I please get some salary input or advice to help me make a decision? Thank you so much!!

Specializes in Forensic Psych.
"There is no such thing as a CNA license. Even after you take your certification you're considered unlicensed personnel." In NJ we have to be licensed. I am scheduled for the state exam in 3 weeks. If we are certified (after course completion) and land a job we have 120 days to be licensed. Also I landed an interview at another facility. 13.50 an hour with 1.50 an hour differential for Sat-Sun, paid holidays, sick days, vacations AND...a uniform allowance. It's 10 minutes from my home and I hope to get that job.[/quote']

So you take a test to be certified and THEN you take a test to be licensed? But then you're sill referred to as a certified nursing assistant?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

NJ a CNA is not a license. It's a certification issued by the dept of health. RNs and LPNs are licensed by the board of nursing CHHA are certified by the board of nursing.

The 120 hours of work refers to the length of time you can work after graduating an approved course but then must pass the CNA exam and background check is processed. Basically you can work 120 hours after graduating while waiting for your CNA certification to be issued by the department of health. There is no licensing.

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Hello. I have to respond here. After completing 40 hours of class and 50 hours of clinical, today I take my final exam. Next week I get my laminated certificate which allows me to work. On 12-5 I am scheduled to go in front of the state of NJ for an exam to become LICENSED. Just as in my previous career of over 20 years...cosmetology. After 1200 hours (compared to 90 for health care!) I had a "permit" similar to the cert which allowed me to work until I became licensed. I went on an interview and was told I have 120 days to become LICENSED or I step out of the position. You can work as a CNA in NJ unlicensed and uncertified, uncertified you can only "shadow". Unlicensed you can perform full duties. Also after I take the practical test for the state, I also have to go to a testing center and take a written as part of my license. Yes...ALOT of testing! Thank you!

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I will definitely ask my instructor about the license issue. I have seen job postings for LNA and PCA as well as CNA here in NJ. I have an interview scheduled for the facility I was hoping for this coming week. Full time it would equate to 28,000-30,000 (with wkend diff) a year and I'm very happy with that. I am taking a drastic pay cut from my previous career because this is a job I WANT to do. I am so excited for another interview and hope I land the job, its a great facility and not privatized.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

In NJ, it's certified only. In order to work in sub acute or long term care one must be a certified nursing assistant. Other settings one is not required to be certified but cannot be referred to as a CNA.

http://www.state.nj.us/health/healthfacilities/nadetail.shtml

Cosmetology is a professional license in NJ.

Good luck on your interview it sounds like your excitement and desire to work with the LTC population is palpable and will hopefully come through in your interview.

Some jobs list LNA if the company is national or regional. Just like some companies list LPN/LVN in ads even though only CA & TX have LVNs it's LPN in the other 48 states.

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Specializes in Neuro/EMU, Pediatrics, Med Surg.

Try physician owned/partnered hospitals. They tend to pay more. Salary differs depending on the place. My first job out of school paid $11.00 and hour, now less than 2 years later I am working at a physician partnered hospital and make $15.

It all depends on the place. Look around and interview everywhere, then make your decision. Thats what I did, I am in dallas/fort worth.

Good luck!!

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OK..I did ask my instructor today, although going in front of the state its for certification only. I confused it with my other license (cosmetology) where I also had to go in from of the state to test. I completed my finals today and feel very accomplished and ready to start on this new career path at 43 yrs old...

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Telemetry, Med-Surg.

$12.00/hr is decent money for a CNA. When I was a CNA, I never made more than $9.50/hr and I had years of experience. Do CNAs deserve to be paid more? Absolutely. But unfortunately that's not the way it is.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Telemetry, Med-Surg.
I will definitely ask my instructor about the license issue. I have seen job postings for LNA and PCA as well as CNA here in NJ. I have an interview scheduled for the facility I was hoping for this coming week. Full time it would equate to 28,000-30,000 (with wkend diff) a year and I'm very happy with that. I am taking a drastic pay cut from my previous career because this is a job I WANT to do. I am so excited for another interview and hope I land the job, its a great facility and not privatized.

Wow, really? I barely make that as a RN, lol.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

CNA's make nothing. Overtime is the best! It sucks, but that's the way it is, sadly. I think the mentality is that we don't go to school, so we don't get a decent wage. It's insane because constructions workers, roofers etc don't go to school either but at least make decent money.

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Connecticut is one of the highest paying states I believe...but still everywhere starts bare min or $9-10/hr. Go to the hospitals, $15+ as they will train you to become a tech. As I see it, you MUST work your way up no matter how much work you have to do. CNA's are overworked and under payed...yes it is true but you are doing it for more than just a paycheck I hope.

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