For The Love Of God Help Me

[Richarda8770]

I currently work full time I decided that I would like to leave my general labor job for this type of career... So I signed up for this two week (80hours) course at a nursing home its two weeks monday through friday for two weeks... I used up the rest of my vacation.... (CNA)

:balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons::balloons:

I am going crazy because I have been on Career Builder and looking in wisconsin to get an idea of what I can expect for a base salary out of the 134 job posting in Wisconsin for CNAs only 10 say what there base salary pay is which is between $9-12, the base salary in most of them(99%) is left blank!!!!!

That is rediculus please dont tell me that even in this profesion I have to deal with corporate none sense such as how much do you think your worth? Every raise period tell me I have to keep my raise a secret, its confidential bla bla bla bla why because that cute blond that you date, started 2 years after me and is making 2 dollars more an hour than me oh I see I wont tell any one ok MR. Boss. Well Ill tell you what I would find it very difficult to wipe elderly butt for under $12 an hour... I love old people dont get me wrong. I am really confident that I would love this type of work and pay would not be the only reason for me to leave my current job that I hate... Which is a decent retail job as far as retail goes. I really dislike factory work/mill work.

So I was hoping that this would be it. Sounds like there is tons of advanment opportunites and that I can be really picky about where I work. My problem is I dont want to be siting down in a interview after every thing goes well, they want to hire me, and then they tell me that they are going to start me out at $9.00 an hour I would seriously freak out!!!! and tell them that they can keep there job. My question I guess is do I have to have 10 interviews before I get offfered a decent base pay. Any suggestions would deeply deeply be appreciated. I dont mean to sound so hostile. I really am not just frustrated thats all. I know CNA is just a entry level position but come on if it was really that easy then every body would do it. And the people that except the $9.00 probably dont last, start becoming alcoholics, get totaly peed on(lituraly), or are the people that are the most cranky at work that no one wants to work with.....

Any way I am positive that I want to do this. I just want a pleasant transition thats all with out having to tell any one to keep there job. Advice givers please dont tell me to re-evaluate my self I do more than I should and am sure I want to do this. I need interview tips. What I should expect. Job tips and recomendations. And any stategy advice such as take any crapy pay job just for just 6 months because then you can go do this (???)..... which is so much better!!!:balloons: Personal examples of what you people have done with your career would be terrific as well. I would like only encouregment please so if it its not encouraging please sugar coat it and go easy on me. My test is Nov 28th wish me luck! Please respond ASAP THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[HTmommy]

Hi Richarda8770 - boy I understand that is a tough number to take. I agree with many of the above posters. Its about geographic location you may get paid more in other areas. I started my 1st job at 9.50 at a LTC and got a raise in 1 month to 10.50 I only did it pt every other Saturday night for 6 months to place on my resume as a 6 months worth of experience. It worked I applied to another facility and got a HUGE jump in pay perhaps another alternative for you to go.

If you know that this is what you want to do. Stay with it. The money will come. You may have to bounce around a bit to get there but you will get there. You can also do some other certifications to help out your resume in selling yourself. Try other facilities.

It may not happen overnight but it will happen.

If you love it don't let it stop you. Think of it as a big hiccup. I love it and will continue with my education as well as experience the money is a shocker but now that I know I will try to continue to get to the next level. I too came from a way different career and far more money but I know it will change I need to start from the bottom and work my way up.

Hope that helps. Let us know how things go - good thoughts for you on Nov 28!!

[Richarda8770]

Well I came up with a stategy. I am going to keep my full time day job and work part time as a CNA for about maybe a year and then work full time as a CNA full time probably some where else looks like experience does pay off in this field. I was talking to several people that stoped in at my store and they said after 6 months to year experience I could be making up to $12 which is great then I can quite my current job which has me at $10.50. I knew people where going to tell me to re-evaluate my self I set my self up for that one... thats ok ... The cost of living where I am is thank fully cheap well compared to Cali any way well thats not a good example any where compared to Cali is cheap oh you get the point. You people are great thanks for all the feed back even the stuff that I didnt really want to hear was good to hear any way thanks so much

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Another thing to consider is the opportunity to work extra hours, which is big in health care. Working in the field of nursing (from the bottom up) usually affords additional options to work second jobs, such as through agencies.