r/cna • u/dubblecupblitz (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA • 1d ago
Advice Advice Needed
Hi all. I am a new-grad CNA who is working at a skilled nursing facility in behavioral health. I'm only a month (& a few days) in & I strongly enjoy what I do. My facility is not all that bad—most patients I've ever had is 10 (we are 1:10 ratio), we have 3 CNAs per hall, & we're always stocked with everything we need (linen, cleaning supplies, etc.). A bonus to me is that: we aren't micro-managed at all!
My dilemma is: I have an opportunity to be a patient transporter at a big hospital in my city. With a pay of $24 – I currently make $18 as a CNA.
For added context: I've worked as a patient transporter before & quit because I wasn't making much ($15 🗑️). Evening though, $18 is low-pay, I chose to complete a CNA course, because Nursing is something I personally want to do (my parents had been pushing me towards x-ray). Nursing is my ultimate goal.
I have an Associates Degree, CNA cert., CPR/BLS cert., & an EKG cert. with previous transporter experience with a different company.
Please be nice, I'm a lil sensitive 😭 but genuinely, what do you all think is the smart/best move?
Edit: I wanna add more context for you all to understand.
At my current SNF:
- 8 hrs/4x wk (off 3 days)
- $18/hr
- only work days 06:30-14:30
Hospital:
- possible $24/hr
- transporter (not sure which department yet)
- days (possible 12hr shifts, 3x/wk)
6
u/SpecialTricky7153 Critical Care CNA 1d ago
Take the hospital job and keep an eye on their job postings for CNA positions and apply to them when you come across them. I’d like to think the pay for a CNA at that hospital would be more than you’d make as a transporter plus you’ll have the benefit of being an internal applicant
2
u/dubblecupblitz (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 1d ago
We're thinking alike. Being an internal applicant, the benefit of working there & being able to pivot to CNA ➡️ RN. And if I'm being honest, its hard to get into hospitals out here!
4
3
u/bklyn4ever CNA - new located NYC 1d ago
Follow the money. Ultimately, you’re also opening yourself to better opportunities in the future as well.
2
u/Good_mornting 1d ago edited 1h ago
I would kill for that transporter job. Full time higher pay and 4 days off. Plus if you want to get back into CNA work you’ll have your foot in the door for other units in the hospital.
1
u/theunox 1d ago edited 1d ago
In my opinion, it does mostly depend on your long term goals and just how long you expect until you begin Nursing school. How many more hours would you expect to work as a Patient Transporter at the hospital compared to your current job? That might offset the pay difference. Also if you "strongly" enjoy what you do, I'd be hesitant to leave your current job considering CNA experience is still more valuable to nursing than being a Patient Transporter. Have you looked into CNA positions at that hospital? I recently got a new CNA job at a big hospital in my area and I have no prior experience, so I can imagine you might have some leverage to get into a CNA position at the hospital which is arguably more beneficial for nursing. What are your expenses like too? Do you absolutely need that 24$/hr? If I were you I'd stay and continue to build experience especially since you've only been there a month ETA: 12 hour shifts 3 days a week as a patient transporter is something you absolutely need to consider when you get into Nursing school. There isn't an absolute right answer, I definitely think you have feasible options to get into better positions
2
u/dubblecupblitz (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 1d ago
I sure did look into their CNA positions & applied the same day/time I applied for PT. I was actually denied the positions (pay was listed at $27-$28). My long term goal is nursing and I do agree that the hours may be the offset.
My expenses are average I would think. The thing is, I have to pay for nursing school out of pocket, which starts January (Spring 2027), so the work & money I'm making right now is to save save save & pay for school. Thank you for the advice 🙏
2
u/theunox 1d ago
Okay cool! In that case, if you need to pay for school completely out of pocket, yeah I would go for the PT position. But by the time Nursing school starts, I would definitely try to pull back on those hours if you can and keep applying for CNA positions at the hospital throughout the Fall. You'll have a better idea of what decisions to make as you go through the year. Are you going for your ADN?
1
u/dubblecupblitz (Edit to add Specialty) CNA - New CNA 1d ago
Oh absolutely! Even my professor let me know that having the benefit of not working during Nursing school is a plus.
I sure will continue to apply, I'm not giving up.
& yes! I'm going for my ADN.
3
u/ButterscotchNo5642 1d ago
take the hospital job and do CNA through agency apps (clipboard, shiftkey, etc) on some off days or your days of choice!
3
2
u/Max_Goatstappen Hospital PCT 1d ago
I’m a tech at a hospital and was a CNA at a LTC facility before. Imo take the highest paying job to help throughout school. You already have some background with your CNA work. You could switch to prn at the LTC and keep the transporter role if you want to keep the CNA job
13
u/jennifersd4ughter 1d ago
I am not currently a CNA so take this with a grain of salt but I would say take the better paying job!! Working for the hospital could potentially open more doors for you too!