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

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.

^^^Thank You!!!

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

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!

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.

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.

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 You get paid more (Avg starting wage is about 11-13-depending on what unit and training/experience) and you just need your CNA

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

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).