Starting Pay for CNA

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I have successfully completed block 1 at GWCC, and am awaiting my time to take the CNA exam. What is the average starting wage for a CNA with Banner, Abrazo, or Dignity?

Shanty,

Can you share some more about your expierence at AMTI. I am considering doing the weekend course for CNA there as the Community college CNA programs don't fit well with my fall schedule and work.

Specifically:

What are clinicals like there? Do you still travel to facilities or is all of the clinicals done in house?

If you do travel to facilities, did the school give you advance notice of when and where? Did your clinicals always fall within the predetermined time of classes.

Any additional information is appreciated!

Are you in the RN program at a CC?

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I am on the waitlist of MCCCD, taking one final class for UIU CEP this fall, transferring into that IF I don't get placed in the spring. Sure I could wait until after block 1 to get my CNA license but I've not nothing but time to burn. Plus, I would like to be working as a CNA through out the program.

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I am on the waitlist of MCCCD, taking one final class for UIU CEP this fall, transferring into that IF I don't get placed in the spring. Sure I could wait until after block 1 to get my CNA license but I've not nothing but time to burn. Plus, I would like to be working as a CNA through out the program.

I'm just going to give you my advice, because I had the same thought as you. If you go get your CNA from AMTI, it's going to cost more than what block 1 does. Essentially, you're spending double the money and learning some stuff twice. Also, it looks good to potential employers if you're already in the RN program. I just got a CNA job without having my CNA because I was already in the RN/CEP (with UIU, so if you have any questions on UIU message me :) ) program. AMTI is a fine program, but I couldn't see paying twice for essentially the same course. You'll have 18 months of school left, which is more than enough time to get experience as a CNA and look more appealing for an RN job. Just my two cents, being that I had literally the exact same thought as you.

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I'm just going to give you my advice, because I had the same thought as you. If you go get your CNA from AMTI, it's going to cost more than what block 1 does. Essentially, you're spending double the money and learning some stuff twice. Also, it looks good to potential employers if you're already in the RN program. I just got a CNA job without having my CNA because I was already in the RN/CEP (with UIU, so if you have any questions on UIU message me :) ) program. AMTI is a fine program, but I couldn't see paying twice for essentially the same course. You'll have 18 months of school left, which is more than enough time to get experience as a CNA and look more appealing for an RN job. Just my two cents, being that I had literally the exact same thought as you.

Thank you for your input! I truly appreciate the perspective. I have a few follow up items:

How did you get a CNA job without a license. Was it initial "in house" training with your employer then a promise to get your license after block 1?

I work for Honor, I fully intend on allowing them to pay for AMTI if it fits into their accreditation requirements.

I really dont know how long until I'm placed! My timestamp is May 31, 2016. If I get placed in Spring that is great, but I am doubtful. When I finish COM225 this December I am changing my application to UIU CEP. But still, that doesn't get me into the program until Fall 2017.

I want to start gaining expierence e yesterday! I can't see myself working a crappy foodservice job for another year....

If you don't mind me asking, where do you work?

Thank you you for the dialogue, I really appreciate it!

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Thank you for your input! I truly appreciate the perspective. I have a few follow up items:

How did you get a CNA job without a license. Was it initial "in house" training with your employer then a promise to get your license after block 1?

I work for Honor, I fully intend on allowing them to pay for AMTI if it fits into their accreditation requirements.

I really dont know how long until I'm placed! My timestamp is May 31, 2016. If I get placed in Spring that is great, but I am doubtful. When I finish COM225 this December I am changing my application to UIU CEP. But still, that doesn't get me into the program until Fall 2017.

I want to start gaining expierence e yesterday! I can't see myself working a crappy foodservice job for another year....

If you don't mind me asking, where do you work?

Thank you you for the dialogue, I really appreciate it!

In response to your first question, I am awaiting approval from the Board of Nursing to test. As soon as I get my license, I'll get a pay raise. Since I was already waiting to test and my name is in the BOn database, I think that helped with getting the job. You can apply to UIU with 2 courses in progress! I applied and COM 225 and CIS 105 were in progress. From what I've been told, time stamps are irrelevant now, so who knows when you'll get accepted. I really don't feel comfortable sharing where I work, but it's private home health. Definitely not glamorous by any means, but at least I get experience.

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Thank you for sharing the kind of facility you work at, more info the better. I didn't realize you could have two in progress! I'll have to follow up with the advisor.

thanks again!

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Thank you for sharing the kind of facility you work at, more info the better. I didn't realize you could have two in progress! I'll have to follow up with the advisor.

thanks again!

You're totally welcome! Hopefully you'll be able to apply sooner then. :)

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Shanty,

Can you share some more about your expierence at AMTI. I am considering doing the weekend course for CNA there as the Community college CNA programs don't fit well with my fall schedule and work.

Specifically:

What are clinicals like there? Do you still travel to facilities or is all of the clinicals done in house?

If you do travel to facilities, did the school give you advance notice of when and where? Did your clinicals always fall within the predetermined time of classes.

Any additional information is appreciated!

Hi, sorry for the late reply. I did the 5 week CNA course. Nobody, and I mean Nobody completed that class easily. It was a high workload, but it was totally manageable and worth doing in 5 wk's instead of a whole semester. They have a 3 wk option as well. In my class, we had to complete 3 wknd days of clinicals. So 1 full wknd, and a 1/2 wknd of 12 hour shifts to do hands on clinicals. There's a long sheet of skills they expect you to get checked off in those 40 hours of clinicals. There were 2 sites that were an option. 1 during the week (LTC in Scottsdale) and 1 during the wknd (LTC in Mesa-Mesa Christian Rehab). Hope this helps! About 2 weeks after class I've been hired on at $14/hr at a LTC facility and I'm looking forward to starting!

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I am on the waitlist of MCCCD, taking one final class for UIU CEP this fall, transferring into that IF I don't get placed in the spring. Sure I could wait until after block 1 to get my CNA license but I've not nothing but time to burn. Plus, I would like to be working as a CNA through out the program.

I'm just going to give you my advice, because I had the same thought as you. If you go get your CNA from AMTI, it's going to cost more than what block 1 does. Essentially, you're spending double the money and learning some stuff twice. Also, it looks good to potential employers if you're already in the RN program. I just got a CNA job without having my CNA because I was already in the RN/CEP (with UIU, so if you have any questions on UIU message me :) ) program. AMTI is a fine program, but I couldn't see paying twice for essentially the same course. You'll have 18 months of school left, which is more than enough time to get experience as a CNA and look more appealing for an RN job. Just my two cents, being that I had literally the exact same thought as you.

I think this is awesome info! I would definitely encourage you to do what makes the Most sense for the nursing path that you are on. I needed my CNA to apply for the LPN program at Gateway, so I wanted to complete it quick. I paid $1000. So, definitely do what makes the most sense for you! Hope this helps!

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