CNA as a career

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

I know some CNAs who have been for decades.

Libby1987 · Apr 7, 2015

Is your extremely bad anxiety order well managed?

caliotter3 · Apr 7, 2015

Worked with career CNA's, both those who attempted nursing school and those who should have attempted nursing school. These people had a well-rounded knowledge and experience base, but worked at the whim of their physical abilities as they aged. Hurt your back one time too many and you will be lucky to be in the workforce at all. I was sorry to see people with these work ethics and abilities limited in their roles when there were nurses in the same facility who lacked.

Suggest you keep the option for nursing school open. Study on your own. Take prerequisites at your own pace and never say never.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

Being a lifelong CNA is a hard and thankless life often.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

I was wondering if being a CNA could be a life long career?

My unpopular opinion is a resounding "No."

I've met CNAs who have been doing it for decades. Their bodies fall apart with ailments from wear and tear soon after they hit middle age. I've met very few career CNAs who have sufficient retirement funds because the pay tends to be mediocre. Some career CNAs in their 50s and 60s scoff at the idea of a 25-year-old charge nurse delegating to them; however, this is inevitable.

In regards to the pay, I'm sure a respondent will come along and post that they earn $20+ hourly as a CNA in ___ (insert name of any city with a high cost of living). My questions to them are:

1. Do you have enough money saved to pay the rent, mortgage and cover all bills for six months in case you are suddenly fired or too disabled to work?

2. Do you wish you had a position that was less backbreaking and better-paying?

Libby1987 · Apr 7, 2015

My unpopular opinion is a resounding "No."
I've met CNAs who have been doing it for decades. Their bodies fall apart with ailments from wear and tear soon after they hit middle age. I've met very few career CNAs who have sufficient retirement funds because the pay tends to be mediocre. Some career CNAs in their 50s and 60s scoff at the idea of a 25-year-old charge nurse delegating to them; however, this is inevitable.
In regards to the pay, I'm sure a respondent will come along and post that they earn $20+ hourly as a CNA in ___ (insert name of any city with a high cost of living). My questions to them are:
1. Do you have enough money saved to pay the rent, mortgage and cover all bills for six months in case you are suddenly fired or too disabled to work?
2. Do you wish you had a position that was less backbreaking and better-paying?

Agree and we have a home health aide who makes close to Bay Area wages in a lower cost of living area, and she still barely makes it.

RNperdiem, RN · Apr 7, 2015

I have worked with a some career CNAs. The married ones provided a second family income and pooling resources, they were able to survive financially. Many of the single CNAs worked a second job, often a private duty case helping a disabled person who needed assistance with am and pm care.

The good news is that CNAs are always in demand and I think have an easier time finding jobs than nurses. The bad news is the pay is low, and the work is physically hard.

EmergencyRN22 · Apr 7, 2015

iME, people generally work as a CNA while going to school for a different career, nursing being the most popular.

Those lifers generally have many physical problems early in their lives (40's) because being a cna isn't easy. Unless they are married, normally the pay isnt enough to support a living.

In conclusion, yes you can but it'll be physically hard on your body and dont expect to be well off financially without assistance.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 7, 2015

I wouldn't recommend it if you want to spare your back and have a chance at retirement and self-sufficiency. I see many career CNAs who wanted to be nurses but then life got in the way and they were never able to go back to school. I think it is great as a stepping stone, and working as an aide enabled me to graduate nursing school debt-free. But I would highly encourage them to pursue more education for a better quality of life.

CacaoHeart · Apr 7, 2015

I would not describe working as a CNA to be low anxiety, even when you have good management. I've been a CNA for 7 years now, first in assisted living, then home health, and for the last 18 months in a hospital while making my way through nursing school. I've cut down to one day per week while in school not only to have time to study but to give my body a break. Some of my home health client assignments were low stress, but with the low pay I barely broke even. Most career CNAs that I work with either have a spouse with a good income or they work 60 hour weeks and expect to never retire.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2015

There are CNA jobs with hiring bonuses in our area.

There are no CNAs. What does that tell you?