$8.25 an hour...*** is this normal?

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I had an interview with a LTC center in Long Beach, CA. I am a new CNA but have two years of private duty care giving experience. They said the starting pay was $8.25 per hour with no benefits.... okay please tell me she was just low balling me and that CNA's in Los Angeles don't make that much money? I was hoping to make at least $10. But if its only $8.25 I will waitress my way to LVN school.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Why dont you re read your post. You are the one who insinuated that since one can learn a skill, its good enough for you if your around to watch them perform the skill. That was the gist of your argument. My argument was simple, a team member perform task that is within the scope of their work. Nothing more. You don't do anything that you weren't formally trained/educated or licensed to do. I never undermined anyone. You on the other hand, launched personal attacks instead of arguing the facts. Sigh....

^^^Again, seems like the INSINUATION is coming from your own "tunnel vision" I NEVER stated ANY of what YOU have interpreted...again, the FACT is that you still have a lot to learn about delegation...WHY do you see it as a personal attack??? We are typing in a forum!!! Again, if it is STATE and FACILITY policy, the Nurse who delegates to healthcare member MUST observe FIRST...AGAIN IF they are able to complete the task ACCORDING to POLICY and WITHIN SAFE CARE, then they are allowed, and I would sign off...My emphasis is to help you UNDERSTAND. Which, again, sounds like you have new nurse "tunnel vision" based on not having previous nursing experience, which happens. LOL....besides, I'm not the ONLY one who thinks your viewpoint is offensive...your posts sound like a hint of projection perhaps?? Instead of you worrying about my insinuations, which are FALSE ask for clarification, to better UNDERSTAND. I'm over your lack of understanding. My point is, get to know your policy, LEARN to DELEGATE, RESPECT your healthcare TEAM then get back to me on what someone can't do...and as another poster says, we are not just in one section of a country, states, city...what I stated was based on MY experiences...just because I challenged you on something you felt you had knowledge on, does not erase the fact that what you wrote is base on someone who does not know how to delegate..Again, respond to me when you have ACTUALLY DELEGATED, then we can have a conversation about it...thanks! :)

Now, back to the OP instead of this discourse...:)

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In IL we have to have our CNA as a preq before you can apply to the LPN or RN program. CNAs do back breaking work. I respect every aspect of the medical field. If I hv time I will toilet, lay down or feed a patient. I have no problem helping a patient or cna. I got into this business to help, not flaunt a degree. I hv enough credits to bridge to the RN program- just can't decide if I want to deal with the stress of school and the responsibility that follows being an RN, BSN etc.

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^^^Thank You!!!

You're Welcome!! And Thank you as well!!

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I think being a CNA has helped me. For one, I did not have to do a Basic Nursing Skills class.

My CNA class cost around $300; testing was a little more.

My university offers basic nursing skills...for a price. It is a 5-credit course. Now you do the math. Since nursing school costs $400 per credit hour...multiply that by 5, and you'll be shelling out a whopping $2k for a class that won't even let you sit for your state CNA test. Not only that, but the class didn't even have a clinical portion. So theoretically...most of my classmates don't know how to change a brief on an actual person.

Yes, it is blood pressures and ADLs... But it is also up to you to take initiative and observe everything you can. Your learning is what you make of it!

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A lot of nursing schools require applicants to be CNAs. At least my school did. I was a CNA for 4yrs then a nurse. I use those skills everyday. Sure I learned them in nursing school but my CNA experience made me a better nurse.

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In response to whoever was saying they can't get calls back, I have to say, I spent weeks sending in online applications only to eventually call the places and find that they didn't even get them. The best thing to do it go through Google and write down all the addresses to facilities you can potentially work at, visit each one and fill out a job application in person. I spent a week going around town and physically walking into places and had 4 calls back within 3 days. Seriously, it works.

Also, I live in the middle of nowhere in Ohio and the first place that called me back was a nursing home and offered to start me at $10.15/hr with no experience and no GED... I'd continue looking if I were you, you deserve more than that with all the qualifications you've got.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
In IL we have to have our CNA as a preq before you can apply to the LPN or RN program. CNAs do back breaking work. I respect every aspect of the medical field. If I hv time I will toilet, lay down or feed a patient. I have no problem helping a patient or cna. I got into this business to help, not flaunt a degree. I hv enough credits to bridge to the RN program- just can't decide if I want to deal with the stress of school and the responsibility that follows being an RN, BSN etc.

first of all I have to say that is amazing. I wish our state pushed on pre reqs for nursing is a CNA license, it just makes sense. I worked at a LTC and out of the 8 nurses in my wing...only 2 actually went out of their way to help me or any of the other CNA's. That's because they started as a CNA themselves and knew how hard it can be at times. I think it's important for many if not ALL of the nurses to start as a CNA and work up...you seem to appreciate them more when you are a nurse :3 Now to get back to the topic itself, when I started as a CNA I got 8.75 w/ no experience. I live in TN, it was low even in my area...so for them to offer you 8.25 w/ no benefits...and you have experience?...It's an insult.

Why not try to work as a PCT at a hospital?... That's what I plan on doing :3 Working as a PCT is different from Hosp to Hosp. Many of the PCTS do the regular turning, feeding, toileting, and Bathing, but then there are some that will trin to on EKG's, Telemetry, and Phlebotomy :D You get paid more (Avg starting wage is about 11-13-depending on what unit and training/experience) and you just need your CNA :D

I wish you the best and I hope you find a pos in healthcare so you can use your CNA skills!

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Specializes in LTC.

The school I really want to attend pre-req's a CNA. In California. I also know, from research in MY COMMUNITY, that the likely hood of getting a job is increased with patient care experience. I enjoy being a PCT. I love my residents. I work in a psych ALF. I feel like I'm learning how to deal with patients in a caring way. I think that's possibly one of the most valuable skills one can have. I learn so much from my nurses. I feel like they are models for behavior and professionalism. I can learn procedures in nursing school. I'm where I am to learn grace, kindness, and dignity (for my patients).

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