Compensation for Certified Nursing Assistants

Lots of different factors draw people into nursing. It is one of the few jobs that is always in high demand and offers a wide range of environments in which to work. Compassion and a desire to do something worthwhile is typically a personal draw for most nurses. Whatever the reason, training to become a CNA starts with learning the basics. People who are not sure how far they would like to take their nursing career, or are not sure if it is the right career for them, start training to become certified nursing assistants. The amount of time required to get a license varies by location and type of training, and ranges anywhere from two weeks to four months.

Salary of a CNA

Geography plays an important part in starting pay. Larger cities offer more to new nurses since the cost of living is higher. The type and size of the facility in which a nurse works influences also influences wages. Hospitals tend to pay the best, but can be the most demanding. They also tend to have fewer experience requirements, providing much of the needed experience and guidance to new nurses on the job. Experience has an expected influence on pay. While new nurses average $11 to $14 an hour, the average salary of certified nursing assistant is $30,000. Because this position is more stressful, fewer people stay with the profession, meaning that more experienced nurses are in shorter supply and receive better pay.

Benefits are also an important component of compensation. With the high demand for nurses, coupled with the nurses’ knowledge of health care costs, medical and retirement benefits are generally another draw to the profession. The ability to relocate and having job security are personal benefits. A sense of purpose and knowing that what they do improves lives is perhaps the biggest benefit of being a nurse.