U.S.A. Illinois
Published Dec 21, 2007
MidLifeRN2012
316 Posts
Can anyone in Illinois tell me the starting salaries for both CNAs and Phlebotomists?
I currently have a BA in Accounting, but will have to quit my day job (and it's $40k salary) to go to nursing school since in Illinois (Chicago area) there are no night nursing programs. I am almost 95 % sure that my accounting employer will not let me flex my job since I am going for a career that I couldn't do within the corporation. However, since I have no husband, need to get my kid to college and have bills and living expenses I have no choice but to work.
I have a CNA license from 1991 and I haven't worked as a CNA since 1994, so I will either have to renew that license or get a phlebotomy certification so I can do those types of jobs outside of class hours--unfortuneatly at 1/2 the pay I make now (I'm assuming). There are not many after 5 and weekend jobs I can do in the office environment plus I want to get some experience in the medical field.
Which would be my best bet?
Thanks
colleenm
132 Posts
Where in the Chicago area are you? The College of Lake County (in Grayslake - a northern suburb) offers an evening program.
I am not sure about what CNA's can expect to earn per hour, but I can tell you that you will not make anywhere near your current salary as an entry level phlebotomist. Depending on whether you work in a hospital or private practice you can expect somewhere between $10-$12/hour to start out.
Where in the Chicago area are you? The College of Lake County (in Grayslake - a northern suburb) offers an evening program.I am not sure about what CNA's can expect to earn per hour, but I can tell you that you will not make anywhere near your current salary as an entry level phlebotomist. Depending on whether you work in a hospital or private practice you can expect somewhere between $10-$12/hour to start out.
I live in Aurora in the western suburbs and everywhere around me, either community college or university offers only a daytime program.
I do realize I will not make $40K as either a CNA or a phlebotomist so I am in the process of paying off as much debt as I can so I can align my living expenses to a $10-12 per hour job for the 2 year period I am in school.
Thanks!
Jolie, BSN
6,375 Posts
I believe that Joliet Junior College has a weekend/evening program. I don't know if that's too far for you, or what the waiting list is like.
You will undoubtedly take a hit in salary while in school. Have you considered working as a home health aide? You would have quite a bit of flexibility in hours.
You might also want to check into pharmacy technician positions at drug stores. I believe they provide in-house training, and they might pay better than nurse's aide jobs.
Good luck!
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
88 Articles; 21,250 Posts
What about medical transcription?