Upset :(

Published

I start nursing school on the 23rd. I currently work as a nurse delegated CNA at a residential care home for 6 dementia residents. The problem is I need to cut my hours down due to school being rigorous and my pay is very little, even for a CNA. Typical CNAs in the area make at least $12 and I made $10, recently recieving a .50 raise.

I just wish I can find something where I can work Saturdays for 12 hours a day at at least $12 an hour. My new hours were I work now will be Saturdays 8-8 and thursday and friday 2-8. But though this is 24 hours a week, with this low pay and taxes, I'll be making less than $1000 a month while working 3 days a week. This really concerns me to work more than once a week because it will really eat into my study time (but I have to work).

I'm trying to find something that allows me to work those Saturday hours but it's hard. Today I contacted a friend that works at a hospital to see if she can put in a word for me and then I contacted a rehabilitation center. Havn't heard from either yet but the day is still young.

Anyway, I guess this is just a rant/vent. I feel overwhelmed. I'm running out of time to attempt to find something better before school starts.

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Specializes in Primary Care, OR.

Ohhhhh I feel your pain. I've been there. Just want you to know your not alone :cyclops:

When I started nursing school I had to leave my full time job completely because of the conflicting schedules. Before starting I was sooooo stressed about making ends meet. I was able to grab up a per diem job where I only work a few days a month, like you making less than a grand per month. I used every waking free moment I had to work. I gave my full time job my semester availability relating to holidays off and such and worked those days for them, that pulled me over for a bit but it was rough because they knew I couldn't make any promises to them for any other times. Hopefully your job can work with you and give you more hours for those holidays off and breaks.

I did manage to snag a part time hospital job which is definitely the best way to go for nursing students. They have those round the clock hours that can accommodate your schedule. I work a set weekend schedule and I'm able to pick up as many days and over time as I'd like. So it's very flexible.

Things will get better. I've read your posts before and I think you have a firm grasp on what your doing! It's just hard to watch your bank account dwindle when you were used to living off of more.

Good luck in NS and keep on truckin away!!

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

this is so hard. No wonder a lot of nurses work w/ends in restaurants. Tips can make up for the salary

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I was in home health care as a cna doing private duty while I was in school. I found it gave me time to study at work and continue to work. This may not be the case for all hh shifts but over 3 years of doing that I found the majority allowed for at least some study time.

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Specializes in NICU.

Contact your local hospitals and ask to talk to the Nurse Recruiter. They will know of student nurse positions at the hospital.

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Do you have to stay in health care?... My part time job pays $13 starting and I work 3 days a week. this is a reason I don't want to get a part time as a CNA, ill make less then I do now doing an easy easy job working for a major company.

Just sayin. Oh! Plus part time health insurance :) and a killer discount.

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Contact your local hospitals and ask to talk to the Nurse Recruiter. They will know of student nurse positions at the hospital.

This is a great tip! Thank you! I had no idea about this.

I appreciate everyone's responses and insight. :)

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Do you have to stay in health care?My part time job pays $13 starting and I work 3 days a week. this is a reason I don't want to get a part time as a CNA, ill make less then I do now doing an easy easy job working for a major company.

Just sayin. Oh! Plus part time health insurance :) and a killer discount.

I don't HAVE to, but my previous experience has been in food/retail - jobs that make less per hour than I make now.

I try to find higher payer things but they all want you to have specific experience in that line of work. Something like being a secretary I can't even do because they want you to have 6 months experience of being a secretary!

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Specializes in Addictions/Mental Health, Telemetry.

Maybe off topic, but this all reminds me of the recent fast food workers striking for higher pay. I think they were demanding $15/hr! I remember thinking that if they win, we'd lose a lot of very hard working CNAs in the hospitals!! It goes to show you that most people have no clue how little healthcare workers make compared to other jobs, especially when considering that we are impacting peoples' lives in the most significant way!

Ok, back on topic. I agree that you could check with local hospitals about student nurse positions. Some places call it 'Nurse Extern' positions. Basically you do the work of a CNA, but you also have specific nursing skills to be checked off on, such as foley catheter insertion. I believe some places add a sort of contract...we do this for you now, and you give us 2 yrs as a registered nurse.

Good Luck!

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I can really sympathize with your post! I left a fulltime position with benefits and 401K to go to nursing school fulltime. This is my first year in nursing school and seeing a much smaller bank account is painful!!! I am just trying to pick up hours when I can, but honestly with all the studying and reading needed, I can't work much over 20 hours. You do what you have to, because in the end it will be so worth it! :yes:

Best Wishes!

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I don't HAVE to, but my previous experience has been in food/retail - jobs that make less per hour than I make now.

I try to find higher payer things but they all want you to have specific experience in that line of work. Something like being a secretary I can't even do because they want you to have 6 months experience of being a secretary!

Girl I work at (I don't wanna get in trouble hahaha) the place that just released the 5s phone! :) and make $13/hr

That's their base pay.

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Try agency work. They usually pay very well and you can make your own schedule.

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