Wage for STNA or CNA

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Jul 7, 2015

The CNAs I work with are the most underpaid staff in the facility. I think they start around $12/hour which I guess is a little low for our area, but the staff are great so people are willing to stay despite the lower pay. The aides we have put such time and care into everything they do for our residents, they are fantastic. Everyone has an off day now and then, and not all of them are wonderful, but most really are, we're very lucky. That's HARD work and facilities should really realize they are providing the bulk of the actual patient time and deserve to be paid much more.

Red Kryptonite · Jul 7, 2015

Why does a CNA make so little money. That job is not easy. You could literally make more working fast food. Something needs to change about that.

Because it's basically unskilled labor. That never pays well.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2015

Totally agree, they are the hardest working people in the building---ANY building. I believe the arguement will come down to education and the general lack of required licensure. In my state, and most across the US, CNA's have a certification, NOT a licensure.

Why does a CNA make so little money. That job is not easy. You could literally make more working fast food. Something needs to change about that.

Brian, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2015

FYI, I edited the title of the thread for more clarity to your question.

Shamekasmoore · Jul 8, 2015

This is just a question. Why is it unskilled when you have to go to class and get certified? And pass an exam? I could understand the non certified aids making what I make but I feel I should at least make 15.00 an hr and that's low

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2015

Welcome! This post has been moved to our CNA forum to elicit more responses. We wish you the best of luck in your position as a staff development coordinator.

Caring_RN21 · Jul 8, 2015

I am a Staff Development Coordinator for a LTC building. I would like some feed back as to what the starting wage for a New STNA is, and does your building offer shift diffs?
TIA

The first hospital I worked at offered 15.50/hr +shift diff, that was in Pennsylvania.

The hospital I work at now offers 15/hr + shift diff, that is in Florida.

Cakelady1 · Jul 8, 2015

LTC/Rehab in CO.

$12/hour starting with a $1 night shift differential.

Princess Bubblegum · Jul 8, 2015

I'm at around $16 as a CNA2 in a hospital in Oregon with 7 years experience, but I'm also cross-trained in tele and unit secretary type stuff. $1.50 differential for evening shift, and $2.50 for nocs.

nurse4ever08 · Jul 8, 2015

Why does a CNA make so little money. That job is not easy. You could literally make more working fast food. Something needs to change about that.

You are correct. Some retail pays more as well. CNA staff do it because they care not for the pay.

Biosciencegeek · Jul 9, 2015

In my state, CNAs start at around $9.00/hr. for most LTC facilities. I'm sorry, but for lack of a better phrase, that's pathetic. Nonetheless, facilities continue to analyze and wonder why turnover rates are so astronomical. When people like my ex felon/drug addict cousin can change oil in the fryers at McDonald's for the same wage, there is a problem. Just sayin'.

Biosciencegeek · Jul 9, 2015

And I might add, one MUST attend an accredited CNA I course, clinical rotation, and be on the CNA registry in the state of NC before he/she can attend a nursing school...no "fly by night" 3 week crash courses allowed either..which is really a good thing, more states should do that as it would weed out some individuals who have no business in the healthcare field to start with.. But the pay...sheesh. That's why many CNAs here aim higher....at least towards an LPN diploma just to at least be able to make a living...that is if they aren't already financially stable enough to not worry about the money and can be a CNA as a career. In reality, CNA pay in my state vs workload = high CNA turnover rate. High CNA turnover rate = inexperienced, brand new CNAs filling the vacuum and less than stellar care for residents and patients.