Need advice please

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I am in the process of preparing myself to leave a well paying but dead end jod that Ive been at for 16 years. I wanted to go to nursing school but the scheduling and cost does not allow me to at the present time. I am interested in doing the dialysis tech course or the cna and pca course. I have to keep in mind the salary I would make working as one or the other as I can take but so much of a pay cut.. Can someone here give me the pros and cons of each of these courses and professions? Maybe it would help me make up my mind.. Thanks

Specializes in CNA, PCT.
I'm not sure the reasons why you can't get a student loan, but if you're worried about your credit,, student loans (government subsidized) are not given based on your credit score. IF that were the case I would have never became a nurse.

I have a student loan I defaulted on when I was in my late teens and stupid LOL

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Specializes in ICU.

I know that a friend of mine did this also and all she did was call the company, make arrangements for payments, and then sent that first payment in. She was out of the default status after that and current. You can try calling them and see if they can set up new payment arrangements with you. Most of these loan companies will work with you. THey HAVE to work with you, or else they don't get any money.

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How about continuing to work at the job you have now and work part time as a CNA/PCA to be sure you like it. Caring for people part time may give you enough sense of satisfaction that you can do both. Making $10 hr may not be enough to support yourself and it is a dead end job too.

The discrepancy between CNA vs PCA job descriptions as adressed above is resulting from individual hospitals coming up with there own job description for a job they created, trying to circumvent rules and accepted CNA duties. Bring back the good old CNA/LVN/RN system and get rid of the techs!!!

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.
How about continuing to work at the job you have now and work part time as a CNA/PCA to be sure you like it. Caring for people part time may give you enough sense of satisfaction that can do both. Making $10 hr may not be enough to support yourself and it is a dead end job too.

Its funny you mentioned that because I also just thought about that too.. Although I work full time at my job, Ive got it so down packed that I get my work done in half the time so Im not really needed full time here. Im also a long time friend with my boss and Im sure I could convince him to let me work part time

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You might consider working per diem as a CNA before deciding to make a commitment for full-time or part-time.

The 3 benefits are:

1. If you are per diem you don't commit to anything and you can leave when and if you feel it is too much for you.

2. As a per diem worker, you won't have to go every time you are called. You will only have to go to work on the days that fit your schedule. This is a great plus for nursing students.

3. As a per diem employee you will earn between 10% to 33% more than the normal pay.

2 years ago, as a student, I used to work in a rehabilitation hospital. The pay for a CNA was $12 an hour but because I worked only per diem, I was paid $16(!) an hour.

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.
You might consider working per diem as a CNA before deciding to make a commitment for full-time or part-time.

The 3 benefits are:

1. If you are per diem you don't commit to anything and you can leave when and if you feel it is too much for you.

2. As a per diem worker, you won't have to go every time you are called. You will only have to go to work on the days that fit your schedule. This is a great plus for nursing students.

3. As a per diem employee you will earn between 10% to 33% more than the normal pay.

2 years ago, as a student, I used to work in a rehabilitation hospital. The pay for a CNA was $12 an hour but because I worked only per diem, I was paid $16(!) an hour.

are you still covered for health insurance this way? That is a big MUST for me.. Thanks :)

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No, I was not covered. I could have been covered had I worked consistently at least 20 hours a week. Each hospital has their own rules. They place I work now insures the workers only if they work consistently a minimum of 30 hours a week.

Some hospitals require full time work to be covered.

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.

ooohhh ok.. Thanks for the helful info :)

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm a CNA in the school system making over 16 an hour. I have health insurance, tuition reinbursement, and all of the other benefits ! Once again, it all depends on where you live, and where you work.

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Specializes in CNA, PCT.
I know that a friend of mine did this also and all she did was call the company, make arrangements for payments, and then sent that first payment in. She was out of the default status after that and current. You can try calling them and see if they can set up new payment arrangements with you. Most of these loan companies will work with you. THey HAVE to work with you, or else they don't get any money.

wow thats excellent. Im gonna have to look into that.. Thanks :)

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Per diem workers don't get insurance benefits not matter how many hours they work (that's how it has been everywhere I've worked anyway). Only people hired for 20 hours per week or more got insurance. I think that's a pretty standard practice. Some places don't pay per diem people anymore than other people.

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I am currently working per diem and I was told that if I work consistently 30 hours or more a week I'll be eligible for insurance. Thing is, they don't call me in every week for that many hours.

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