Can you retire as a CNA?

Serendipity, PCT · Feb 13, 2009

I think it's possible to retire as a CNA, I know people who have. Of course, it's not going to be as easy as with higher paid jobs, but you could make it work if you wanted to.

Do you plan on pursuing your RN? :mad:

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Feb 13, 2009

I don't want to count on it. I want to have a better-paying career, and work per diem as a CNA. I think it's a great job, but it takes a toll on your back and it makes me nervous to think of what could happen if I didn't plan for anything else.

yousoldtheworld · Feb 13, 2009

Do you plan on pursuing your RN?

Yep, I'm in school right now.

Oh, and in response to one of the earlier posts, I do get a 401k and a pension plan at my job, and at everywhere else I've worked so far. However, the default rate at which money is added to the account is pretty low, so if you intended to actually retire as a CNA, I imagine you'd have to increase the amount you contributed monthly. I certainly don't intend to retire as a CNA, but at least it's a little something to fall back on.

asun21ta · Feb 13, 2009

You could retire from being a CNA.

Would I want to? No

Why? The work is hard. I would need to work lots of overtime if I wanted a reasonable retirement salary. I have to work over-time now to make ends meet. My body feels like it will fall apart after an 8 hour day. I couldn't imagine having to work 16 hour days until I turn 65. There is no way my body would hold up that long doing this kind of work.

It's totally doable. All of the facilities I have worked for offer 401K and other retirement/pention plans. The package is the same as everyone else that works for the company. The only difference is, Food, Housekeeping and CNA's have the lowest wages. Consequently, these workers will have to work twice as hard in order to get the full advantage of the benefit package. I have known people that did retire from being a CNA. However, these folks picked up thier CNA careers later in life, so it wasn't like they were doing it for 30-40 years.

Scarlett9705 · Feb 14, 2009

It all depends on your individual situation. I've worked with nurses who are struggling financially for reasons varying from being a single parent or having a lot of debt. I've also worked with some soon to be retiring nurses aides who seem to be living a pretty comfortable life usually because they're married to someone who makes a lot of money. There are a few that I work with now that live in really desirable towns,have new cars,take nice vacations, and even a couple people that had nice houses built not too long ago. I always wonder how in the world can they afford these things on a cna salary,but at the same time I feel good that not all aides are what most people probably percieve us to be. If you're a single person then of course it would be harder to retire financially secure as a cna. Again it all depends on your situation and what you're dealt with in life.

Scarlett9705 · Feb 14, 2009

Sorry, I spelled the word "perceive" wrong in my last post. I just thought I'd mention that.

busybird · Feb 15, 2009

Ive wondered the same thing. CNA we dont make enough money, we make as much as Walmart employees if not less.

NurseLil-lea · Feb 15, 2009

No, we don't make much at all!! In some states a CNA can do really well with their salary. The pay is different per your states cost of living needs. Being a single parent working as a CNA does not pay all the bills. If they had a spouse that was also bringing in income, the low CNA salary wouldn't be so bad. I don't even know what walmart employees make, can't be to good either since you can see a different face every few months and the ones that you seen are now MIA (missing in action). But to look on the bright side (AT LEAST YOU/THEY/WE HAVE A JOB). The economy is crazy and everybody is just trying to stick to what they have until things get better before making any quick changes!! I do now want to be in the unemployment line....

poppalina · Feb 17, 2009

If you have a spouse that socks away alot of money than YES! But consider haow you would want to live. Even a few years as a nurse will get you alot more to play with!

sunray12 · Mar 2, 2009

VA hospital CNAs are paid pretty well, and get a great retirement package. I've known several whom have retired from the VA.

Yes you can retire as a CNA. One of my relatives retired as a CNA from a state LTC facility. I don't think she ever wanted to go to nursing school. She was paid well while she worked - I never saw her short on money. Now she has a state pension, her home is paid for and she has a new car. So it is doable. It's not how much you make it's what you do with it.