Whats with the beyond horrible pay? :(

oregonmom · Oct 26, 2010

That sucks, when I am done with my CNA course I am hoping to get into the hospitals. The ones where I live live start at over $11/hr and go up to $16/hr. If you have to get some experience then move on. Can they really pay you less then minimum wage?

camci · Oct 26, 2010

I guess they can, I tried to wager with him, but he just told me take it or leave it :/

ctmed · Oct 26, 2010

No, they can not pay below min. wage except in some states where they can prove you recieve a substantial amount of tips as income (like a waiter/ waitress).

Lack of experience is no excuse to circumvent US law. Tell the interviewer to pay the min. wage - unless he has some deal for illegal immigrants (which I read some article months back may very well happen in nursing homes in certain areas... kind of scary)

Better yet, take the better job offer.

I would also think about calling up the Labor Board, too. The Labor Board is usually in bed with the corporate world, but min wage and overtime (and child labor) is one of the few things they care about.

reussir1 · Oct 26, 2010

Maybe the state you are in has a different limit on minimum wage. Texas follows the federal minimum wage of 7.25. I made 7.33 an hour for 2 years in a LTC until i resigned 2 months ago to go to school. In Texas this is low but not unheard of for a CNA. Even in large cities like Houston the most i have heard off as starting CNA pay is 9/hr.

Tamimac · Oct 27, 2010

I am a new CNA in central NC- I go to Orientation Thursday at an Agency. I just negotiated my starting pay at the Home Health Agency. $9.00 to start, I said other agencies start at $10.00. So they called me back and we settled at $9.50. So I guess I'm satisfied as I am newly certified! Take the agency pay!

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 27, 2010

Minimum wage is $7.25. CNAs don't make crap and we work hard. I don't know why this is and I think it's very unfair. I was always told that education would get you somewhere.

Anyway, no they can not pay you less than minimum wage. It's against the law. Like ctmed said, waiters/waitresses make about $3/hour plus tips, but if their tips and hourly pay don't reach minimum wage then the company is supposed to make up the difference in your paycheck. At least, that's how it was when I waited tables.

I would call the labor board and see what they have to say. They will be able to answer any questions you have.

camci · Oct 27, 2010

How should I go about negotiating with the agency? They are the top agency in my county and I was very lucky to get an interview, I don't wanna seem greedy you know?

Tamimac · Oct 27, 2010

hmmm? good question... I am NOT saying you should negotiate unless you do have 2 years experience in the "caregiver" field. a) Just ask- I heard other agencies start CNA's at $9.00- is that possible for me? b) IF you don't feel comfortable asking- don't. Just take it- and ask if you are on for awhile will it go up. BUT the pay rate should not be the same for a CNA as an HHA (That's the real question here) Consider taking the job- took me months to get mine.

sunkissed75, CNA · Oct 27, 2010

When I come on here and I read about how little you CNA's earn, it makes me so angry for you!! I complain about making $14.03 an hour at my home health agencey because the workers working in LTC make almost another $10/hr. I don't understand how this is possible for you guys. I mean, what you do is so important!!! You are the eyes and ears of the care team. Without you, nurses might not always know right away about a change in a patients condition. How can someone working at Wal-mart make more money an hour than you?? I don't understand this logic.... You CNA's definately don't earn what you're worth... and that's a shame.

sunkissed75, CNA · Oct 27, 2010

Move to Ontario! Red Cross is always hiring...

camci · Oct 28, 2010

When I come on here and I read about how little you CNA's earn, it makes me so angry for you!! I complain about making $14.03 an hour at my home health agencey because the workers working in LTC make almost another $10/hr. I don't understand how this is possible for you guys. I mean, what you do is so important!!! You are the eyes and ears of the care team. Without you, nurses might not always know right away about a change in a patients condition. How can someone working at Wal-mart make more money an hour than you?? I don't understand this logic.... You CNA's definately don't earn what you're worth... and that's a shame.

I know, it's absolutely disgusting taking advantage of very hard workers. This job was supposed to support me while going to nursing school, but looks like i'm going to have to take up another job too.