Demand for CNAs

[50andCounting]

I recently completed a nursing assistant course and am waiting for the certification tester to come to our facilitiy to give our class their final exam and skills assessment. My questions is: If CNAs are in such such high demand, how come they are not paid more? Isn't that usually the way it works in other areas? The more demand usually means a higher price for the supply. Just sayin'.

Thank you,

50 and counting

[Nightmoon]

Hi, Well I think it really depends on the area in general. I am in California near Sacramento, and there are job postings that offer between $9.00 and $12.00 hr, most do not include benefits. I've noticed Other cities further north offer a little higher pay, and these are all for nursing home care.

I am starting in a CNA program in a few weeks, for the last three years I have worked as a HHA and found that I can get better pay by working as an independent. I lucked out and was able to become an approved Caregiver for a local retirement community and I make between $12.50 and $15.00 an hour, but I have to pay for my own health insurance.

[Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B]

The thing I have learned is that the harder you work physically, the less you get paid.

[Hygiene Queen]

Unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

What does a CNA get paid?

Crap.

Why?

Because anyone can pass the single class that is required to become a CNA.

The class is so easy, in fact, that a complete moron can pass it.

Why?

Because being a CNA is meant to be cheap labor. It's cheap because, as it is set up now, it requires minimal intelligence and training.

Look, a company can hire 2-3 aides for the price of one nurse. They are required to have a nurse to do her "nurse only" duties... everything else can be done with cheaper labor.

It's more bodies on the floor for less money.

Trust me, if some places could get away with the $9/hr aide calling the doc and other "nurse only" duties, they would do it in a heartbeat. They'd kiss the nurse's butt goodbye without the bat of an eyelash.

The educational requirements for an aide can't really be expanded upon because then no one would bother to go through so much as a 6 month program to make $9/hr. Facilities aren't going to pay any more than they do. They need to hire the cheapest labor they can to keep their staff numbers up on the floor (don't mistake what I just said as meaning "well staffed").

Minimal education= minimal pay.

It comes back to being paid not for what you do, but for what you know... and for companies to keep the costs down.

[Hygiene Queen]

If CNAs are in such such high demand, how come they are not paid more? Isn't that usually the way it works in other areas? The more demand usually means a higher price for the supply. Just sayin'.

The turnover rate for CNAs is high.

CNAs are also being churned out constantly because it's quick and easy.

Any jobs are easily filled.

Supply does not exceed demand.

So, while there may be a demand, the demand is easily met, therefore increased monetary incentives are not required.