hey i was just wondering if anyone here has ever worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), or is working as one now. I was just wondering how you got certified, how much is typical to make, and where you work at? Im curious bcus i know of this place that has a training course for a CNA and i know someone who went there and they got a job right away, and stuff. I was just curious about some of the different ways to get certified and how much they usually make? Im planning on doing this after high school, before i start nursing school, so i can support my daughter (and the fetus when its born). Thanks.
Do they have vocational (or trade) schools where you live? Cuz I think you can go to like a vocational school and get certified there. or they might have something thru like job corps i think.
i haven't worked as a cna but i know of a few students in my classes who work as aides and make around $10/hr, though i'm sure that varies.
i don't know where you're planning to go to nursing school, but i'm completing my adn at a community college. here once you complete the fundamentals of nursing course, which is second semester and really only has about two days of clinicals, you can get a card saying you're eligible to work as an aide. you won't have your actual cna, but many hospitals will still hire you.
alternatively, i've seen two week cna courses offered that are about $500. a friend of mine got hired at a nursing home and took the cna course through them for free.
good luck!
I was a cna my senior year of high school - i got my certification through a 14 week program at community college. The work kind of sucks - but you can make 9-10/hour (at least in the chicago area). And alot of places give benefits for it after you've been there a year.
If you don't mind doing a lot of heavy physical work, and cleaning up body fluids, it can be a rewarding jobs, since you'll be the one interacting with patients the most, so they will talk to you alot more than they do the doctors or nurses.
Thanks! Theirs a retirement home in the area that has classes for free, in the hopes that you will work for them when your done if guaranteed a job. It starts in january and thats when im graduating so i hope the dates work out well!
I am a CNA. I used to work in a nursing home with Alzheimer's patients, and it was extremely hard work for me. None of the residents walked, they were all in wheelchairs or geri-chairs so I had to do alot of lifting which was hard for me b/c I am a small girl. I now work in an Assisted Living Facility and it kicks ass. I highly recommend that you work in an assisted living facility since you are pregnant so there will be minimal lifting and less hard work. I made $9.57 at the nursing home, and $8.75 at the place I work now (the pay cut was worth it for me). It is pretty gross sometimes, but you get over it, and as someone said above, the work is rewarding. I think it is a great job to do while you are in school b/c it does pay good. I only work on the weekends and I make enough money for the things I have to pay for (car, insurance, gas, cell phone) and I have a little left over. It is also really good experience if you plan to be a nurse b/c you are around nurses, you see the work they do and you can ask them questions about things, etc. And that is my story of being a CNA! lol.
I'm working as a cna for a home care agency (i think its the best route to go, not much "personal care" involved) I make $8.50 an hour (which isn't bad for such a small town). I took a 5 week course at a local vocational school which cost $400, the test to become certified was an extra $100.
Thanks a lot. That info was very helpful.