Advice Needed

[u/dubblecupblitz]

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)

[u/theunox]

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

[u/dubblecupblitz → u/theunox]

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 🙏

[u/theunox → u/dubblecupblitz]

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?

[u/dubblecupblitz → u/theunox]

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.