??? Nursing Home ???

I found some of the best nurses started out as a CNA, it is a wonderful way to learn and pick up some experience. Here in my parts of Michigan I believe CNA's make approx $9 an hour...I think..it's been awhile since I checked into wages for that position. Good luck!

I have a year of nursing school left. I left my retail job and began working as a CNA about 3 months ago. It's not the most fun work all the time, but I think the experience I gain will be worth it. Plus when some little snot nosed aide comes up to me one day saying they aren't changing a patient, I can say been there, done that, now go on. It's hard to have respect for someone who's above you that has never been where you are. (PS, in NC I believe base pay is aroung $8.50 more for 2nd, 3rd, or weekends)

I think that working as a CNA is a good idea during school, as long as it doesn't interfere with your study schedule. I work with several CNA's now that are going to nursing school. It will expose you to some new learning experiences, and you will have somewhat of a head start on patient care. The pay depends on the facility and experience.....anywhere from 8-12 dollars an hour.

Good luck.

I have a year of nursing school left. I left my retail job and began working as a CNA about 3 months ago. It's not the most fun work all the time, but I think the experience I gain will be worth it. Plus when some little snot nosed aide comes up to me one day saying they aren't changing a patient, I can say been there, done that, now go on. It's hard to have respect for someone who's above you that has never been where you are. (PS, in NC I believe base pay is aroung $8.50 more for 2nd, 3rd, or weekends)

So you won't be changing patients anymore when you're an RN? Hmmm, interesting.

I never said that I mean if it comes down to changing someone or a nursing task i think i'll do my job and she can do her's. I was saying that it's easier for someone to accept a delegated duty from someone who's been there.

Deb: You Will Never Regret Anything You Do That Will Teach You And Make You A Better Students Will Make You A Better Nurse You Will Be Placed In A Position That You Will Observe Nurses In Action And Know What Makes A Good Nurse And Be Able To Spot A Phony A Mile Away

I had no nursing experience before I became a nurse. I worked as a charge nurse, and I had no idea what my CNA's were supposed to be doing and when they were supposed to be doing it. I often wished I had worked as a CNA. I asked my employer if I could work as a CNA on each shift to see what happens and what they were supposed to do, just one day on each shift helped me understand their jobs, how hard it was, and how to better manage my team. I didn't even know how to properly lift a resident out of bed, but jumping in and helping sure made my job easier.

I had no nursing experience before I became a nurse. I worked as a charge nurse, and I had no idea what my CNA's were supposed to be doing and when they were supposed to be doing it. I often wished I had worked as a CNA. I asked my employer if I could work as a CNA on each shift to see what happens and what they were supposed to do, just one day on each shift helped me understand their jobs, how hard it was, and how to better manage my team. I didn't even know how to properly lift a resident out of bed, but jumping in and helping sure made my job easier.

My gosh, you could be my clone--exact same story! When I started nursing school I couldn't even read a thermometer ( we only had glass ones then!) and I had kids. The only way I new if they had a fever if is they were hot! I never did work as a CNA to date. My CNA's teach me now and I really appreciate the instruction and them. In regards to the original post, ( now I don't want to get a beg fued going here) many times you have some down time on night shift and can pick up your books every once in a while. I've worked many night shifts and I know we work hard but in reality, there really is down time on occasion. :balloons:

I'm a student too and was planning to do my CNA course this summer. I do belive that it is good experience, but for me it will also help to determine if becoming a nurse is truly what I want to do. I'm also like you in the instance that I am in a job I don't like anymore (not what I do but the company I work for). Also as fare as pay goes in NYC (which is were I live) the rates vary depending on if it's through an agency or if it's directly through an hospital. It can also depend on who you know, for example: one of my classmates currently works at North shore hospital and she was telling me that they were opening a new wing and she could help me gat a job. According to her they start CNA's at $16 hr, but with that there is no union and I belive no medical benefits. Then you have CNA's who go through agency and make $8 hr ( I'm not sure if they get benefits. The choice is yours and like so many have told me on this site " Follow your heart and dreams and you will be ok"

Wow, Cna's barely make minimum wage around here, especially in nursing homes. Some hospitals will pay around $8/hr if you are currently a nursing student. However, regardless of the pay I would think it to be invaluable to become a cna before becoming an lpn or rn or so forth. I was a cna about 10 years ago right out of high school and I enjoyed it but was offered a job at a telephone company making $16/hr. Big difference! So last year the phone company layed everyone off and I am now going to eb starting nursing school this fall. I too would like to work part time as a cna while I go to school but I let my cna certificate expire. I wonder if I could get recertified through a nursing home, etc? Good luck, and I say go for it, you will learn a lot from the experience!

I'm a student too and was planning to do my CNA course this summer. I do belive that it is good experience, but for me it will also help to determine if becoming a nurse is truly what I want to do. I'm also like you in the instance that I am in a job I don't like anymore (not what I do but the company I work for). Also as fare as pay goes in NYC (which is were I live) the rates vary depending on if it's through an agency or if it's directly through an hospital. It can also depend on who you know, for example: one of my classmates currently works at North shore hospital and she was telling me that they were opening a new wing and she could help me gat a job. According to her they start CNA's at $16 hr, but with that there is no union and I belive no medical benefits. Then you have CNA's who go through agency and make $8 hr ( I'm not sure if they get benefits. The choice is yours and like so many have told me on this site " Follow your heart and dreams and you will be ok"

Becomming a CNA would be a wonderful experience for anyone considering nursing as a career. You need to know all aspects of patient care.

I was never a CNA before becomming an LPN. But I have learned the job very well in the past four years. Nursing is a team effort and it takes all parts off the team to provide care for your shift regardless of what designation you have behind your name. If that means I put a bedpan under a patient or pass ice or feed or turn and dry so be it. Yes my duties as an LPN come first, but my CNAs also know they have someone to help them when needed. Nursing is about respect you want it you give it.

Sorry LOL Not on my soapbox Just my view on nursing.

Pay varies on location with nursing homes, but as a bonus many nursing homes will help pay tuition toward LPN and RN in return for working for them for a few years after graduation.

Thanks everybody for your wonderful advise. I went Monday and applied at a nursing home close to me. I'm hoping I'll hear something back from them. The only bad thing is that I'm (of course) not certified. I know some nursing homes will certify you, I'm hoping to find on that will. I'd do it myself, but even if I could afford the class, I can't afford the time off. Oh well...:stone

Hopefully I hear something soon!!!!!

Another ??? for y'all. Does anybody work 3rd shift??? That's what I'm wanting to do, so I can go to school during the day and be home with my son (he's 12) in the evenings (even if I am asleep, at least I'll be there). Is it hard to get adjusted to 3rd shift? I've never done it. My one brother loves it (he works at a foundry, but he never gets enough sleep) and my other brother hated it (because he never got enough sleep). What do you all think???

Thanks bunches and bunches!!!!!