Should I become a CNA

allnurses Guide · May 20, 2014

I loved being a CNA, but bear in mind, I have been very lucky in that I have worked in nicer places with awesome staff.

Not everybody is so fortunate... just read some posts about crummy nursing homes and coworkers.

I don't know what you make in IT, but CNA's don't get paid very well (minimum wage or slightly higher... it depends).

I made $16/hr in geri-psych and that was after I had been an aide for 20+ years.

If you bring home 90% of the bacon, then you'll need to consider this.

Now, if you are making about $75,000 per year in IT, like my ex did, then you won't like CNA pay very much.

It is hard physical labor and can be draining.

However, like I said, I loved it and I do miss it.

Yes, you can work part-time.

Know that it's shift work, so that means those CNA's who have seniority have their places set on the dayshift.

Dayshift is hardest to get because that is what most people want... and once they get it, they don't leave it.

I worked PM's and it was my favorite, but if you have school-age kids, then you will be working when they are home from school.

Nightshift can work with kids, but you have to get used to it.

You will also work weekends and holidays

Not trying to discourage you-- just something to think about.

If you want to go for it, then go for it.

Can you go part-time at the job you have now and maybe try CNA as per diem?

Good luck!

Bgillaspie · May 20, 2014

Thanks for your input. From what I've seen in some job postings CNA pay here is about a fourth of what I make. I have no plan of replacing my current job with a cna job. I'm hoping to get a cna job with minimal hours so I can do it along with my current job.

Since going full time to nursing school is not an option at this time I am looking to get into the medical field to make sure it is something I'm truly interested in. If I do enjoy the work then my wife and I can determine if there is a way that I could go to nursing school. Basically I get no fulfillment with my IT job and I want a job working more closely with people. Since I can afford the cna classes I think I'll take them and see how it goes. Worst case is that I find out that cna and nursing is not for me and I'm out about $600 and about a hundred hours of class/clinical time. But I'd rather find that out after paying for a cna classes instead of a couple years of nursing school.

Missingyou, CNA · May 20, 2014

I've been doing it for about 20 yrs and I love my job.

Yes, you can work part time. You can even do home care which is for the most part, as many or as few hours you want...it is, however, nothing like it would be working in a nursing home or hospital which is where the pay is.

Most CNA jobs pay anywhere from $8.-$15 an hour, with $15 being very unusual...this of course depends on where you live and the cost of living, but I've lived in NY where the cost of living is pretty high and still, with all my experience, I made $11. and hour.

Try home care. You don't have to be a CNA (certified) to work there, (tho you will be paid less to do the same job). You can work as few as 2 hours a week in most agencies. You can pretty much choose your shifts, and it will give you a little of an idea of what it's like to take care of someone. If you like it, then go for the CNA training.

P.S a non certifed aide in home care is called a HHA/home health aide.

~Just my 2 cents worth. :)