Wendy Smith

I believe $18 is about right, I make less but I know CNA's who make $18 plus. As far as doing all the dirty work, I don't think it so dirty. The fact is that I was making half the money before working as a CNA and doing more dirty work. I stopped school early for personal reasons, and do not look like a Barbie doll. Not many jobs out there for me paying above minimum wage. Before working as a CNA, I worked as a Cashier in a supermarket. Having custermors complain to me that the store charges to much money, food falling, standing on my feet all day, nasty supervisors, is dirty. I also worked in a bunch of fast food restaurants , which was hard dirty work. Had to take a lot of abuse from custermors and managers, Being told I have to work extra hours, and if I cannot, you get punished by getting less hours the next week, or they give the **** tasks to do. All this and having to clean up at the end of the day is truly slave labor. Now I feel good every day to go to work. I am treated as a professional, I feel that I am making a difference in peoples lifes. As a CNA you have the most contact with residents then any other worker. You know when they are not feeling well, and can report there condition, before they become worse. If you see a resident is feeling sad you can brighten up there day. My parents, family, friends, all look at me different when they see me leaving for work in a white uniform. I can see that they have more respect for me, and I have more respect for myself. I can go on and on, but I think I am talking to much. The bottom line for me is that I am so happy to be a CNA. It is still new to me so I am learning all I can and see what my next move is going to be.

Hi - I can only speak for myself, but taking the CNA course was one of the best moves in my life. The cost was around $1,200 and they let me pay each week by credit card. There was a school in Queens that was cheaper but it was dumpy and smelly. There was also a school in Brooklyn and also in Manhattan which were more expensive. What I liked most about the Manhattan Institute was that they let me talk to the CNA teacher, and I was able to sit in on her class, before I signed up. Not a problem to find a job, there are lots of agencies who will hire you in a second, but you have to pass the State Exam. I starting with $15 an hour, but I believe you can make as much as $20 depending on the Agency. Hope this was helpful

hi - the clinical was held in the the bronx it was called saint vincent's, it is a very nice nursing home. they gave us lunch for $4 dollars. i think you can also take the clinicals in a place called cab's nursing home in brooklyn. i am not 100% sure of that, one of the cna's went to the manhattan institute and told me she did her clinical there. i am with an agency now, they are paying me $15 an hour. i am under the impression that you can make as much as $20 once you have experience. you can negotiate the rate. for now i am happy, feeling my way around.

I finished a CNA course at the Manhattan Institute, I reviewed it in a different thread if anyone is interested. If someone can answer a few questions I would be very happy. 1) Will I make more as a PCT? 2) From what I been told a PCT is a CNA who learns Phlebotomy and EKG is this true? 3) If it is true, then why would I take a PCT course if I work in a Nursing home where there is no Phlebotomy or EKG? 4) Five years ago I almost took the PCT class and it was called Nurse Technican, why is that? 5) Every school I checked for CNA the class was the same hours, the class for PCT varies, does anyone know why? 6) Is there a State test for PCT? A million thanks for anyone that could help me. Besides the expense, I am not a big fan of going to school and all that goes into it. My main reason to study is to earn more pay. Wendy

Evie - I think that the evening teacher being fired, shows that the school is on-top of the education. I don't think it fair for you to write "Manhattan Institute??? PLEASE DON"T!!! This is very negative and hateful. You should of wrote about your bad experience, and how the school corrected it, what more can we as students ask for. I went to MTC in Brooklyn 5 years ago, I was packed in a class with 50 students, and was never scheduled for a clinical. I wasted my money, I thought it was a great buy because it cost $499, but it was terrible. I been doing HHA work after that which is ok, but I got tired of the one on one. I am planning on taking the PCT course put not sure if that will increase my salary, so why bother.

I am a recent graduate of the Manhattan Institute CNA Program, and I recommend it to all. The experience was excellent from beginning to end. My teacher in the schoolwas wonderful. She stayed long after class was over to help us with our skills, and answer all questions. When the class finished I went on to the clinical training in a Nursing home. That was also an excellent experience, I was paired up with a CNA, who taught me the in's and out's. Many of the CNA's in the nursing home were graduates of the Manhattan Institute. The teacher in the nursing home is different then the class room. more of the old fashion no nonsense teacher. Both taught me well, and I have no complaints. I passed my State exam on the first try, and am working for a Nursing Agency. It is very easy to find a job as a CNA. I would like to take there PCT course next, but I am putting in long hours, so will wait till the summer. Long term I would like to be an LPN, my teacher told me that the school was working on it and may have a program in place by this year.

Very shocked to read about your bad experience. I thought the school was great. In the nursing home I was pared off with a CNA who I worked with during the week in the Nursing home. I was very satisfied. Also, many of the CNA"s working in the Nursing home were graduates of the Manhattan Institute. I went back to the school and practiced every day with my classmates, and passed the State Board without a problem. I am working for an agency and am happy with my pay. The teacher in the nursing home was not the same one as in the school, and she did have a strong personality, but was pleasant enough and available to answer all my questions.