How much do CNA's make these days and is the pay worth the workload?

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Specializes in N/A.

Now I know it will be hard work, that I am prepared for...

However, since I have been interested in becoming a CNA while going through nursing school I have heard everything from positive experiences to horror stories. One girl told me CNA's basically deal with the nastiest aspects of nursing and for the lowest pay. She told me I would be changing adult diapars all day for $7/hr.

Now I don't mind changing adults, but I at least need to know I can pay my bills if I take this job.

Also a local hospital offers paid training to become a PCT, so maybe if it's truly "paid" I should go for that instead....?

Suggestions?

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Free schooling throught a hopsital? GO for it! The salaries do suck and yes, in certain states you can make 7.00/hr. But PCT you learn phlebotomy and EKG so, the pay should be a bit higher than a regular CNA. Go for it

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I agree. The amount of pay I get isn't equal to the amount of work I do. I was trained to be a nursing assistant for free, so there was no money out of my pocket. However, I'm getting plenty of hospital experience while I'm in school.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CNA, HHA, Nurse Mentor.

It may sound weird during the economy crunch but even though CNAs are not paid enough, the greatest pay I got out of it was knowing I made a difference in a senior's life. Whether it be feeding, bed bathing or changing the briefs ... I felt good at the end of the day. But if its a pay scale issue, I'd go for the Patient Care Technician which will give you first hand experience in a hospital environment, allow you to tend to acute care patients as a CNA and get your foot in the door for advance career opportunities once you finish school.

Good luck in Nursing!! ^_^

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It all depends on the state you're in. In the Bay Area in California, CNA's in the hospital can make anywhere from $16-$22 an hour. In the nursing homes you're looking between $11-$13 an hour. The main thing about the CNA work is that you're gaining experience in the medical field and you're observing your nurses around you because you will be doing those tasks one day. You get the hands on that some don't get because they're not familiar. Plus, when you go thorugh nursing school, the first semester is CNA work anyway, you will just be extra prepared :up:

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depends on what state ur n, starters make around $10 hr n nc (ur gonna make more than $7 hr n any state, b/c min wage is $7.25 hr) and yes u do the dirty work.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I agree with everyone concerning pay. I think if you have an opportunity to be trained for free by a hospital, GO FOR IT!!!!!!! I wish I had done that when I had the opportunity at the beginning of the year :( Because around here, most hospitals require you have at least 6mos-1yr experience. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

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I agree with everyone too! Free schooling is FREE schooling! take it. I will say that although the job & pay sucks, It is going to give you an advantage over alot of new grads once you graduate. The thing I have learned about the road to nursing is there is no one road. At the same time be wise, think about what road your going to take. Also, I heard someone say something about doing patient care in a hospital. Unfortunately hospitals require atleast 6 months to a year of experience to even do patient care or emergency room tech.

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Specializes in N/A.

Well, I was afraid of this....

The wait list on the free paid training program at St. Thomas here in Nashville is a minimum of one year!

I'm thinking about signing up anyways and waiting it out because come to find out you have to have two years of college in a health related field to even be considered......so that's fine. By next semester I'll qualify after I take what's left of my pre-req's. I have a job now, I just wanted to do this for learning, networking, and convenience purposes......I'll get there when I get there.

I definitely am going to wait out the free one unless something happens in my job or I become so miserable I cannot stand it any longer...and then I will pay around $800 for the NATS (Nurses Aide Training School of Nashville) program.

I don't mind doing the dirty work as long as I am networking, making strong connections for future hire, and making better grades..in other words as long as something good comes out of it in the end it will be worth whatever nastiness I encounter.

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I was extremely disappointed to learn today that in my little town in Georgia,where I just "landed" my first CNA job(in ALF) is worth no more to people than working in mickey d's or something. $7.25 an hr is freaking rediculous!!:nono::banghead:

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CNA, HHA, Nurse Mentor.

It saddens me when I hear the pay scales of CNAs being less than $10. The only thing I can say is take the job, use the experience to put under your belt and continue looking for a better one. I know its hard but you gotta start off somewhere and the more XP you've obtained the better your chances are of scoring a position thats worthwhile pay wise. Good luck!

:up:

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Specializes in N/A.
I was extremely disappointed to learn today that in my little town in Georgia,where I just "landed" my first CNA job(in ALF) is worth no more to people than working in mickey d's or something. $7.25 an hr is freaking rediculous!!:nono::banghead:

Very.

Especially considering what kind of work you all have to do. They pay more at Target, and those people are not responsible for the lives and well being of anyone but themselves! CNAs should (and I'm sure have been) lobby for better pay. I think anything under $10.00/hr start is ludacris.

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