Lifestyle of a CNA

[Serendipity, PCT]

I am 22 years old, and I am considering moving out of my parents house after about a year of working as a CNA and saving etc. I'm also the oldest of five children; I say this to say that in a year I also intent on applying to Nursing school so it will be hard for me to live in a house with so many people and get work done. I do intend on paying all my bills off etc. before I move so that I have the least liability when I am on my own, and I have no kids.

I would like to hear from CNAs in their 20s who are CNAs or becoming CNAs; how do you plan on making things work when you move out of home, or are you going to stay home? As far as rent payments, are you going to take public transportation, are you going to have car expenses, scheduling for work, scheduling for school etc.

Also I want to hear from people who were in this field for a while and are in their 30s+ with experience because i'm looking for some intelligent guidance as to what I should do if I decide to move out. Should I rent a 1BDRM for $900-$1200 a mo, get a roomate and split the rent $500-$600 a mo, or room in someone elses home for about $300 a mo w. shared common areas? What has worked for you through your experience and what advice would you give me?

I really need to be out of the home ASAP, but I dont want the financial, and political stresses of life to prevent me from furthering my education. I also dont want to try and make it on my own and fall flat on my face.

Some questions:

1. What sort of living arrangement should I seek?

2. Should I invest in a little point-A to point-B car?

3. What would be the best work schedule for me as a CNA if I plan on enrolling in school?

Also, feel free to give me any other advice because I am an open book and i'm all ears :redbeathe :bowingpur

[Equinox_93]

Yeah, you should have no problems in NYC with the public transportation :)

Per diem work is "per day" meaning they call you in as needed based on the availability you give them. I believe this is usually done via an agency- so you would probably go to different facilities depending on what was needed where... 12hr weekends only would be do-able You'd have no life, but then, who does in nursing school? LOL

I feel like you are exactly right, I live in NYC, and I would probably be better off buying a monthly metrocard for $80 a month to get on the bus and train then investing in a car.

As far as second shifts, thats the only shift I wouldnt consider, only because it is smack dab in the middle of the day, yaknow? I would work either 1st or 3rd- I'm leaning more towards 3rd shift though once I get into LPN school. Or possibly 12 Hrs, weekends only?

What is per diem work, btw?

Thank you SO much for your input, it really means alot to me! :bowingpur

[gsxtreme1987]

Im 21 living in chicago and currently enrolled in CNA course at Triton college.

I do plan on moving out of my parents house once im done wid cna and will probably rent/share an appartment with a friend to save money.

[Atheos]

I'm from NYC, and ive decided that since NYC is one of the most accommodating places for public transportation I better not DARE invest in a car. i wont be able to afford it. Congrats on your car though! What kinda car do you have, lol?

Used 2005 Neon. 27000 miles. It's a lot better than the tank I WAS driving ROFL.

I really love the flexibility that seems to be across the sector for medical professionals. I am going to do either 3rd shift or weekends only. Or both, because i'm greedy too LMAO!! Are you in LPN school, and how long will it take you to finish since you are going to school at night??

The felxibility is probably the best perk. I am in RN school. There are mostly only private LPN schools and the price of private lpn school vs public rn school just really makes no sense. There is only one 'public' lpn school around here and it's too far away. Imagine driving 20 miles through NY during rush hour. Yeah, DC is that bad too lol.

And my sister is getting food delivered to her too, is it the Ediets program? LOL Sounds awesome.

It the diet2go one. The food is VERY good. It's made fresh every week (not freeze dried like nutrisystem). I have to pick it up from a local gym every Tuesday and Friday. The food is awesome. Did I say that? They are a bit pricey but compared to the cost of fast food/eating out all the time it is cheaper. Check them out.

So your saying for the year before I enter LPN school I should work as much as possible? Im down, I know im going to have to make sacrifices if I want the reward of independence and I am willing to do so:bowingpur I will probably end up gaining weight or losing alot of weight in the process if I get burned out, but hey, whats a year or two huh? LOL

I would. For several reasons. It's harder to burn out when you are working extra by choice vs. needing to. When school starts you may want to cut back and if you have no cash saved up it could get stressful. Saving a little ahead of time for emergencies, getting sick, etc can make things easier. Of course, if you have support from your parents it will help immensely.

The funny thing about youth is that when I was in my late teens and early twenties there was NO WAY I would live with my parents. Now, I realize what a foolish move that was. I'd give anyhting to be 20 again and live with my family. Rent adds up over the years.