Vent Session

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

I am having a huge problem!I like being a CNA but the low pay is really starting to get to me.I work 4 days on and 2 days off.I make $8.75 an hour.After taxes my check is 534.00 thats a 10 day paycheck.I hate getting 8 day pay I only take home 440.It is hard because I have my own apartment and have bills to pay.After everything is paid I never have any money to spend on myself.It is sad that a cna isn't compensated for the amount of work we have to do.We give the resident the most direct care.I am not saying that we have to start out at 15.00 a hour but at least 10.It is very discouraging sometimes being a cna because you feel that what you do sometimes isn't important because of the pay.Of course seeing the residents faces and helping them is rewarding.But that doesn't help when you have rent due.I really hate that a cna isn't paid as well as they should be.This is so sad.I am trying to get back into school to become an RN.The job market is so bad that I can't quit my job because their aren't any jobs available.I feel like a failure sometimes.All the work I do and it is like I am not appreciated at all.Just had to vent!!Thanks for reading.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CNA.

count your blessings... I only make 7.25/hour..... It does suck, I feel ya.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel your pain, too! Before I moved, I made 11.70 on the weekdays and 12.70 on the weekends. Now, though I like my job better, I make only 8.35. This is with 5 years of experience. I refuse to go back to geriatrics, but it's so hard to get by. I live by myself, and after my bills, I have nothing left.

I just try to remind myself of the difference I make in those kids' lives every day I go to work...and hope for a cost of living raise soon. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm glad to make a difference, too, but I'm also a mother of 4 with a husband who's out of work. Every month we struggle and all the rewarding feelings from making a difference in people's lives really wear thin when I am faced with all the things I can't buy for my family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, I know. The sad thing is that they can get away with paying so little, because there aren't other jobs available right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm glad to make a difference, but the pay situation in the UK is just as bad. I barely make enough to survive. Heck, I don't survive, period, and I don't know what to do!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm glad to make a difference, but the pay situation in the UK is just as bad. I barely make enough to survive. Heck, I don't survive, period, and I don't know what to do!

Oh dear, I didn't know that !! My husband is from the UK, and I know that they pay really high taxes there to fund public healthcare. He said that a lot of nurses and doctors are going into private practice because they get paid so much more than those who work for the government. I had considered moving to England with him because I visited his family recently and loved it so much.....however, I'm afraid that I would regret it because of how expensive it is to live there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with you and hear the same thing from the other nursing assistants I work with. It's rewarding to help people. However, The type of work we do, the large workload, the low pay, and the disrespect overshadows that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh, I'm not disagreeing with you there, trust me. I think about finding a different job every time I pay my bills and have 2 bucks left over til the next paycheck. It's just what I try to remind myself of to feel a little better, that's all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh dear, I didn't know that !! My husband is from the UK, and I know that they pay really high taxes there to fund public healthcare. He said that a lot of nurses and doctors are going into private practice because they get paid so much more than those who work for the government. I had considered moving to England with him because I visited his family recently and loved it so much.....however, I'm afraid that I would regret it because of how expensive it is to live there.

They just raised sales tax today, too. My income tax is not too bad. They tax everything here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been a CNA for 6years now and believe me I understand. I started out getting low pay with a heavy work load and unappreciated, until I was blessed with a union hospital job that pays 20$/hr starting. Although i am making good money the treatment is the same. I am a mother, wife, and work fulltime while trying to take classes online to get into a nursing program. I wish you the best in your situation but if you your able to start out taking online classes it may help with trying to work and attend school!! Good Luck:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have been a CNA for 6years now and believe me I understand. I started out getting low pay with a heavy work load and unappreciated, until I was blessed with a union hospital job that pays 20$/hr starting. Although i am making good money the treatment is the same. I am a mother, wife, and work fulltime while trying to take classes online to get into a nursing program. I wish you the best in your situation but if you your able to start out taking online classes it may help with trying to work and attend school!! Good Luck:)

Where do you live if you dont mind me asking? I would love $20hr! I have an Associates degree in Medical Assisting and I am supossed to be starting at a hospital soon (union) nursing assistant position telemetry/med surg. for $11.65hr.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment