Banjoeer

Portland Oregon hospital (Kaiser) $18.49 hour, includes shift differential and pro-pay for CNAII, with 2 years there....

Mt Hood... probably the best... PCC... next... Pioneer Pacific good NCLEX pass rates, but credits don't transfer Apollo... not so good Hope that helps...

Hey... I'm from NC originally, but have lived in Oregon for years now. I'm a CNA here and just took the CNA2 test in Oregon. I did the Acute care CNA2. Here there are 3 types of CNA2 Restorative care--- mostly LTC stuff, working with CVA patients, rehabilitation Dementia care--- working almost exclusively with Alzheimer patients Acute care--- advanced CNA work, primarily for hospitals (suction, advanced stoma care, more cath. care, lots of intubation knowledge, more terminology, deeper understanding of symptoms, CPM devices, etc)My pay went up just a little with CNA2 certification... and most hospitals require it as a condition for hiring. Good luck with what you're doing.... Dunno if this helps...

Plunge on, brother.... Do what you love and the money will follow.... I'm giving up a lucrative teaching contract ($310 per day) to focus on FT nursing (right now CNA work)-- While I do love to teach, the contract requires 100% travel, has no benefits or retirement... And I pay my own taxes... In the end I take home about $20 an hour teaching.... I think that when we show our faith by taking action, the rest of the universe aligns to support us. Don't really have advice... just words of encouragement... Bless you for making the world a better place!

The information I've been getting is that OT is NOT required in home agency work. It's considered "companion" work... not regular work... Companion work hours are excluded from OT laws via US Supreme court ruling (LIHC vs Coke, 2007).... and some seasonal farm workers are excluded (different ruling) Some states/agencies choose to pay OT... but for this job/position, they are not compelled.... at least in Oregon.... If I hear different... I'll post it... Thanks..

It's frustrating to be told "You're over-educated".... I know... I'm a former therapist with a Ph.D. in psychology.... I've been moving from the "mind to the body" for the past few years and will get in to nursing school soon. Now I'm working as a CNA (and teaching a little). :sasq:(I will get into nursing school... I WILL) Even with my education, I have been offered 5 jobs... and been turned down by 5.... I've had at least a dozen applications & resumes that weren't responded to. For me, I think my job offers came because I didn't focus on my past, but rather, my future. I made it clear I understood what a CNA does and that I had the "git-er-done" attitude.... Hope this helps... Good luck with your job search... Of course YMMV.... Blessings.

Congratulations on be a great CNA... I too am frustrated with lazy do-nothing CNAs..... And while they are responsible for doing their work, I can't realistically blame them for their lazy behavior.... They're lazy because can get away with it and nobody does anything... There is no accountability and very little leadership... In many cases the charge nurse, floor supervisor, and DON seem BLIND.... :banghead::banghead::banghead: :banghead: Before my move into CNAing (and nursing school, I hope) I was a professional manager and supervisor for 20+ years and know that most of this "slacking" will go away with an active hands-on leadership. I hear all the excuses as to why there are so many "slackers"... lack of pay... lack of training standards...tough working conditions.... etc. etc.... I don't buy it. There are a lot of similarities between the restaurant industry and LTC. I spent many years in the restaurant industry doing everything from washing dishes to owning 10 different places... Both restaurants & LTC have lots of low paying jobs, not much training standards, tough working conditions....incredibly high turn-over rates etc. etc.... But some restaurants do great and others suck... Just like LTC facilities. Why? Because of good vs bad vs no leadership.... Ever see a great restaurant go to hell-in-a-hand-basket when new owners come in? (Or when the parents retire and the kids take over?) Leadership suffers and so does the quality of the experience. As an Army medic, you had leadership and there was accountability. Unfortunately there isn't much there at your workplace now. I'm sorry that's happening to you. Keep your chin up... You'll find a place that has good leadership and when you do, you find a loyal hard-working staff... Just like you! Didn't mean to be so long-winded, but this is one of my major pet peeves.... Blessings...

Congratulations on your start in CNA work.... I've looked at the psych unit for CNA and have found a couple of positions (in the Pacific NW). The first positions were in chemical dependency and addiction care.... Those were entry level positions that paid about $10+. It seemed like a good system to get experience in the psych/addiction field.... The other CNA position for a psych unit was at the VA (veteran's administration). They wanted one year experience and a CNA2 (acute care) certification. They started at about $16 per hour with full retirement and benefits. I've been considering the psych units... I spent more than 10 years as a therapist.... But I can't even get the VA to talk with me until I have a recent year experience as a CNA. Good luck with what you do. Be patient. Be diligent. You can find the work you want. Hope this helps.... Blessings

I'm a recent CNA (less than 6 months certified) and make $13.00 at a home health agency-- Home agencies pay no overtime and the hours fluctuate. I could average 40+ a week, if I choose. Some of the other grads from my CNA class are making $11- $12.50 in LTC. They get OT for 40+ in a week and can work lotsa hours. I've been offered a CNA agency job at $15.00 but haven't taken it because I have scheduling conflicts (I travel out of town to teach)..... With multi-year experience, the agencies are offering $16-17 for CNAs... But as you may know agency work can be very challenging. Generally I've noticed east county (east Portland, Gresham) LTC offer $10 - 11 to start.... the west side LTC facilities offer $12-13 to start.... You can find what hospitals offer by looking at their job offerings. OHSU, Legacy, Kaiser, Providence post their pay ranges for all to see. Hope this helps...

Actually I have a CNA license.... Oregon issues an OSBN license to CNAs... Yes, we are certified... but in Oregon it's called a license... I have one in my wallet.... You can check the website here: http://www.osbn.state.or.us/search/searchResults-submit.do On the line labeled "License Type" you can click and find CNA, CMA, CNS... All certificates... which in Oregon are licensed. I was surprised to be licensed... as a CNA... Of course, your state may vary...

I've taken your advise and I have queries in at local employment attorneys in Oregon..... I'll let you know what (if) they reply. BTW the court decision was specifically for home-health agencies.... They were comparing CNAs as companions instead of skilled care. We'll see how it shakes out via the legal eagles... TTFN

I think I've answered my own question.... Although I know this isn't a forum for legal discussions I did find the US Supreme Court decision that settled the issue. Home care workers-- even CNAs.... even skilled nursing.... are exempt from overtime. Here's the link Long Island v Coke. Anybody else run into this unpleasantness? I was really hoping for some time and a half... geez....

I'm working as a CNA in home care. I'm working for an established agency with a good reputation. I'm a regular employee for them (not a contract worker). They contend they are exempt from paying overtime wages. In Oregon overtime is paid if an employee works more than 40 hours in the work week (7 specific 24 hour periods... at this agency our work week is Monday - Sunday). Anybody have experience being exempted from overtime? I've got an email in with the Oregon bureau of labor, but I'd like to hear if this is common.... Thanks...

I passed! Took the written and skills exam on 16 Aug (Saturday) Today my name and number appeared on the state verification board for the nursing license.... That's me... 200811764CNA as of August 21, 2008. :dncgbby: :dancgrp:

I PASSED! It's official... I'm a CNA My name and number (200811764CNA) are there for all to see on the Oregon State Nursing Board... Woohoooooooo