Teacher to CNA Advice

miabia, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2012

It depends. More than anything you're not going to get much being a first year certified. You can expect anything from $7.25 an hour to if you can get lucky $10. I've seen that most CNA's get paid well from travel agency. Most LTC aides get more than Hospital aides but your responsibilities are greater.

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2012

Thank you miabia! Now this is making me look into that part time nursing program (the only one in GA). I am just concern about their NCLEX scores. Thanks again.

chorkle · Jul 25, 2012

It's all relative--to many things.

A specific hourly rate, with no other information, is fairly uninformative, to be polite.

What's the range of rates, in your area? What's the cost of living, in your area?

What's (the distance, and cost of) your commute?

Add all the other variables--if quantifiable--and at that point, we have a base we can talk about, & compare with other situations.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2012

I definitely would recommend you to ask this question on your state's nursing forum as well, so you can get a more specific answer :)

I live in the DC area, and it varies widely in terms of hourly wages. I noticed that (imo) home health pays the least, and hospitals paid the most. Nursing homes & assisted living facilities were in the middle.

Good luck with applying ! I've known a few of my professors in nursing school (and even my dean) that were teachers before going into nursing.

AlexCNA · Jul 26, 2012

From my experience the highest paying jobs are at agencies. You have to travel more, but they pay significantly more. Also (at least in my area) hospices pay almost twice what we get paid in the nursing home. It would be easier to schedule the agency work around other things though so I would look there first. Also if you can find someplace with a good shift differential or a bailer (SP?) plan you could do better than in other situations. I think the best thing to do would be to find someone in your area that has worked at several places and can tell you the differences in them.

mdgale · Jul 26, 2012

I need some advice. I am currently teach and I am starting prereqs for nursing school next month and applying to nursing schools next year. The nursing programs that I am applying to are daytime programs so I would have to quit teaching (which is fine for me!). My dilemma now is that my husband and I split the cost on bills. I know I would be taking a huge pay cut going from teaching to CNA. In what setting do CNAs earn the most? What setting would you recommend? I am going to apply for financial aid but I am not sure how much I will get (2nd degree for me). Plus, I have a 1 year old son so I have make sure his needs are met.

Normally, I would NOT suggest taking a cut in pay however, as I read the posts I know that once you do graduate from nursing school you want to stand out amoungst your peers. One great way to do that is by having some healthcare experience under your belt, aka CNA experience.

Amber628 · Jul 26, 2012

I need some advice. I am currently teach and I am starting prereqs for nursing school next month and applying to nursing schools next year. The nursing programs that I am applying to are daytime programs so I would have to quit teaching (which is fine for me!). My dilemma now is that my husband and I split the cost on bills. I know I would be taking a huge pay cut going from teaching to CNA. In what setting do CNAs earn the most? What setting would you recommend? I am going to apply for financial aid but I am not sure how much I will get (2nd degree for me). Plus, I have a 1 year old son so I have make sure his needs are met.

Personally, If i was you id look into a part time program. Not only will it give you more important time with family, but theres nothing worse than being stressed about school AND money. Also part time gives u more time to really focus on classe instead of being bombared wit 4-6 classes each semester. IMO id stay teaching and go part time :)