Nursing school and CNA

[emille]

Hi all!

I'm planning on working as a CNA a couple of nights a week while going to nursing school.I was thinking of taking up the course over this summer so that when school starts in fall,i can leave my current job and work as a CNA.

What scares me is

1> a pay cut.How much do new CNA's make?

I've never done a paid job in a hospital or health setting,just some voluntary stuff.

2> I don't want to go over the entire training thing and end up not getting a job ASAP. I know this lady who went for a Med Asst. training but ended up not working as one.

Btw,I've heard that past first semester,hospitals do hire nursing students as CNAs(without licensure) because we learn those skills in first semester.Is it applicable in NYC. Should i wait till then?

What do you guys suggest?

[1lollipop]

I know that you'll have an easier time finding CNA jobs than medical assistant jobs. CNA jobs are very tough & can be physically demanding at times. The pay greatly varies, but it's between $10-$12/hr. Hospitals tend to pay more than nursing homes, but it's very tough to find those positions until you get experience. There are much fewer job openings for medical assistants compared to CNA's. I don't know anything about 1st year nursing students being hired as CNA's. I'm looking to take CNA classes myself while completing pre-req classes for nursing.