CNAs please share your wisdom!

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Ok, so recently I have made the difficult decision to take a break from nursing school. I was in my second semester but simply couldn't afford to continue my education at this time. That being said, I am thinking of becoming a CNA for now. I am trying to figure out how much money they make and I keep getting waay different answers. I live in NY state. How much do you make as a cna? Do you like your job? I have a bachelors degree in communications...should i feel weird about becoming a cna with a college degree under my belt? Thanks for your help!

I'd love to hear from the cnas out there on how you like it:)

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You have to do what is best for your life circumstances. It's been MANY a year since I was a CNA...but my advice remains the same.

Do NOT ever feel " weird" about being a CNA with a bachelor's degree in something unrelated to healthcare!!

I have worked with CNA's in many different hospitals that had prior education. I once worked with an MD from Kenya, an Internal Med Doc from Bangledesh, a poli-sci degree holder, etc....

Being a CNA after achieving a degree in another faculty is NOT a lesser-than job.

If you discover that you love being an NA, you are happy and fulfilled and you contribute to your healthcare team...then be proud of your choice!!

I wish you the best of luck!!!....I'm sorry I can't help you with your salary question, though!!

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Hi! I'm a CNA. I love Nursing, I find it rewording helping others. But.... What kind of RN you want to be?. For me I want to be a case manager/nurse supervisor/teacher/community nurse. all the parts of nursing that are not at bedside. :) funny ugh? Well, I thought being a CNA will help get close to my goal. But for my goal, it was better for me get in a Medical Assistant career, now I find it difficult because CNA/CHHA are only at bedside cleaning patients, or at home preparing meals.

So for you that have a communication degree I would recommend a Medical Assistant because you will learn a lot of administrative work, insurance, and with your degree you can become clinic administrator, and remember, RNs have to think like administrators, no like cleaners. (I'm a CNA)

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You have to do what is best for your life circumstances. It's been MANY a year since I was a CNA...but my advice remains the same.

Do NOT ever feel " weird" about being a CNA with a bachelor's degree in something unrelated to healthcare!!

I have worked with CNA's in many different hospitals that had prior education. I once worked with an MD from Kenya, an Internal Med Doc from Bangledesh, a poli-sci degree holder, etc....

Being a CNA after achieving a degree in another faculty is NOT a lesser-than job.

If you discover that you love being an NA, you are happy and fulfilled and you contribute to your healthcare team...then be proud of your choice!!

I wish you the best of luck!!!....I'm sorry I can't help you with your salary question, though!!

Thank you so much for your response. I think I just needed to hear some encouragement from others and this was very uplifting.

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Don't feel bad. I have a Bachelors degree in education and I work as a CNA. I worked in public education for 10 years until corrupt administration forced me out. Sure, I make a lot less but I'm not on the verge of burnout and a nervous breakdown now.

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If you are a new CNA they typically wont accept you in a hospital until you have experience. LTC is the lowest paying. Where I live in Mass, LTC pay for a new CNA is between 9.50-10.50. In the hospital as a new CNA (if you get lucky) 12.00-13.00. But New York pay is more than Mass pay. Good luck.

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