Health Insurance

duskyjewel · Jun 9, 2014

I don't think it's required, but I sure wouldn't want to be without it. Let's face it, our job has a high injury risk. If you can't afford health insurance, at least pay for disability insurance through your employer. It's usually pretty cheap. Sometimes colleges offer inexpensive health insurance plans for students, check into that. Good luck.

YueCoolJ · Jun 10, 2014

Not really. You can get away with it. But if no insurance I would definitely be careful with patients. Use Hoyer lifts and ask help from staff members.

Kar10 · Jun 10, 2014

Thank you! I'm only working weekends, but getting paid $20/hr so what I make won't even cover my health insurance, it would be pointless. I wish I could pay for it but I'm trying to make money to afford it when I actually need it (during nursing school). If all goes as planned I'll be an RN in December and I can quit my whining:)

ronchelednik · Jun 10, 2014

Your a CNA getting $20.00 dollars an hour? WOW LPNs don't even make that kind of money? Don't rock the apple cart. The most all nursing schools it is mandatory for their students to have health insurance. My wife worked full time while going to school full for her BSN-RN just because of health insurance. It worked as long as she kept sleep out of the equation and one time her record was 58 hours of no sleep. But mostly it was less then 25 hours of sleep a week. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2014

Your a CNA getting $20.00 dollars an hour? WOW LPNs don't even make that kind of money?

Some CNAs earn $20+ per hour in high cost-of-living areas.

During my four years as an LVN in Texas (2006 to 2010), my highest pay rate was $27.04 hourly. So one's pay rate depends on the geographic area, full time status, and the type of work.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2014

Do I need health insurance to practice as a CNA?

No, you don't need the insurance to practice as a CNA, but you might be penalized for not having insurance when you file your income taxes due to the ACA.

ATBStudent · Jun 10, 2014

It may not be required for a CNA but I just got in to nursing school and it is an absolute requirement for that... Maybe your program is different but, we can't go to clinicals without it....

ThatBigGuy · Jun 10, 2014

If you're working 30 hours a month at $20 an hour, that's $600 a month. With federal and state income taxes, you're looking at take home of ~$530 a month. That should be enough to buy you insurance.

Get the insurance. There's no way you can work for a long period of time as a CNA without getting hurt or sick.

crossfitnurse · Jun 10, 2014

Wow where do you live? That's a good pay rate!

DemonWings · Jun 10, 2014

The affordable care act might have some reasonable rates if you are low income. I on the other hand have to pay 1150 out of pocket for Obamacare. So it's only affordable if you meet the income requirements. It's worth checking out though, I know some people who get great insurance through the ACA and it's very reasonable priced based upon their income.

Kar10 · Jun 10, 2014

I'm only working as a CNA until December when I finish my RN. I'm working because my husband will be separated from the military so we need the extra money and the experience is great for me. I have to have insurance during nursing school because it's required. It will probably just be the catastrophic plan. Remember my dears, it is only until December. If something happens, it happens, I'll deal with it as it comes. Thanks for all your input though! It's good to know I don't "need" it to be a CNA because I won't have it until August! :)