CNA-Related Questions

[buenafortuna]

Hi all-

I recently came upon this community. I am a full-time college student fulfilling the pre-requisites for Dental Hygiene. I am also currently enrolled in a 4 month long CNA course at the local technical school. I start my classes next week, and am very excited!

My question lies here--

How many of you life solely off your CNA wages? At least in my area and surrounding counties, rent is high, so I'm worried that I won't be able to remain independent once I leave my parents' house. I will continue to take college courses while working as a CNA, so I would only be able to work 25-30 hours weekly. Should this be sufficient?

I'm a bit unfamiliar in this field, so any insight would be greatly appreciated! Nice to meet you all, too!

-Alexandra

[nightshifter415]

I'm enrolled full-time in a BSN program at a really expensive private university but I have a scholarship and 2 grants that help pay for the rest of tuition.

I have been living off my CNA wages for a while, it helps that I live with my fiancee, but I still pay for half of everything and my own bills. I work a minimum of 24 hours a week (during the night shift, so they throw in a little bit more in the paycheck), sometimes I'll throw in an extra shift here or there if I'm not doing anything on my weekend off. But I don't know how much CNAs make across the country. San Francisco is a pretty expensive city to live in. If I can do it, so can you...I can't party or shop till I drop very much, but I'm just sacrificing for the next couple semesters.

Good luck...