Im in awe of those that make a long-term career out of CNA/PCT ..My question is what are your reasons for making it a career??..and ive always wonder is there a salary cap ?? Are the 20 year vets making 20+/hr?

yes, there's a wage cap

at least in my area, facilities will not pay

a CNA as much as a entry level licensed

position

it's a shame, because some of these CNAs

prevent falls, wounds, ensure early intervention

in a change of status and much more

some of the reasons I've heard for not going beyond CNA are

no GED

fear of going back to school/ lack of confidence

happy with present situation

yes, there's a wage cap

at least in my area, facilities will not pay

a CNA as much as a entry level licensed

position

it's a shame, because some of these CNAs

prevent falls, wounds, ensure early intervention

in a change of status and much more

some of the reasons I've heard for not going beyond CNA are

no GED

fear of going back to school/ lack of confidence

happy with present situation

I agree those long-term cnas really keep the floor running smooth... thx for your response and the info

Some people just don't want the hassle and responsibility that comes along with being a nurse. Others are happy with the job. You get more time to spend with the patients, and they enjoy helping the nurse. Some can't afford nursing school even with the help of financial aid and tuition reimbursement. It's very hard to work full time and go to nursing school. Really it's a personal decision that varies greatly from person to person. It takes a special soul and dedication to be a life long CNA, and it's definitely not for everyone.

As for the salary cap, that varies from state to state, LTC to hospital, position to position. I know PCT's who make $20/hr and will get a small raise every year for forever. I also know CNA's who make $10.50/hr and pray for a raise every few years.

I've met some really good CNA's and every time I ask them about going back to school, a lot say no, and that they have no desire to.

I've also met CNA's that have finished lpn school and still working as CNA's. Just haven't take the boards yet. Some have been out of school over a year. It baffles me sometimes. I think they're scared of becoming nurses. A lot more responsibility.

This is something I can never make up my mind about! I'm currently working as a CNA in a group home and I love it to pieces. I love the elderly clients I care for, and everything I get to do for them. :) I've been thinking a lot about going back to school for LPN or RN, because of all the pay and opportunities that come with it, plus a lot of people keep pushing me in that direction and I am the type of person that always likes to be moving forward and advancing myself in life. However, like I said, I really love what I'm doing right now and I figure, why fix something that's not broken? Plus, I love doing personal cares as a CNA and I think I'd miss that aspect as an RN. I love just doing the basic of care, doing bed baths and applying lotion and powder and dressing them up all cute, things like that. But I still have plenty of time to make up my mind, I'm still in the process of getting my own car and having some money saved up before I can even go back to school.

I met two long term CNA's who could not succeed in nursing school and one who wanted to go to nursing school but could never get up the courage to do so. All three of these people were excellent CNA's and would have made excellent nurses had they had support systems in place to help them. Unfortunately, they were relegated to poor CNA pay, but they stated they were satisfied with the situation.

This is something I can never make up my mind about! I'm currently working as a CNA in a group home and I love it to pieces. I love the elderly clients I care for, and everything I get to do for them. :) I've been thinking a lot about going back to school for LPN or RN, because of all the pay and opportunities that come with it, plus a lot of people keep pushing me in that direction and I am the type of person that always likes to be moving forward and advancing myself in life. However, like I said, I really love what I'm doing right now and I figure, why fix something that's not broken? Plus, I love doing personal cares as a CNA and I think I'd miss that aspect as an RN. I love just doing the basic of care, doing bed baths and applying lotion and powder and dressing them up all cute, things like that. But I still have plenty of time to make up my mind, I'm still in the process of getting my own car and having some money saved up before I can even go back to school.

You can continue in this personal aspect of care as an LPN or RN, if you enter extended care home care. In this type of nursing you are responsible for all care for your patient during your designated shift, to include ADL care. The only difference is that most of the time you will be caring for one patient, unless you again choose to work in a group home.

My mother is a career CNA. She loves her job and she likes what she does. She's a hard worker. She is really good at her job and has been there for almost 15 years. She picks up a lot and the knowledge she has by being with her patients so much.

Also while working on some of the floors I commented to one of the older CNAs about how she is so efficient. I told her "you make this look so easy, when do I get to be as good as you. " she told that this is what she does and she loves it and she couldn't be paid to do what I do.

I will agree, when I first started my nursing job. I sometimes wished I could just be a tech again.

I met two long term CNA's who could not succeed in nursing school and one who wanted to go to nursing school but could never get up the courage to do so. All three of these people were excellent CNA's and would have made excellent nurses had they had support systems in place to help them. Unfortunately they were relegated to poor CNA pay, but they stated they were satisfied with the situation.[/quote']

The pay is horrible I didnt have a choice to not go to school...cant wait to feel atleast a little more monetarily appreciated.

I think may depends on where you live also.

Pay ******* not may lol

I am a CNA and have no intention of going on to nursing school. I love my job and doing the direct care. I love being able to move and be very busy and having the patient contact.

I thought long and hard about nursing school in the past, but decided that the responsibility, and that I'd spend less time with patients and more time behind a med cabinet and a desk filling out endless paper work (my sister is a nurse and says it seems all she does is paperwork) isn't for me.

The expense and effort of nursing school just isn't worth it to me. (I watched my sister and now my neice go thru nursing school ).

I make more than $15. an hour and that suits my needs just fine...plus I love my job, can listen to the tales of my residents lives and really get to know them. Money isn't everything.

I wouldn't trade my CNA position for a nursing job. The amount of $$ just isn't worth it.

There is no cap on the pay for my position. I get a raise every few years along with everyone else in the facility where I work (LTC). I've worked in assisted living and have done home care and all agencies have always offered me more $ because of the amount of my experience. I've never had trouble finding a job.