By: Karen P
Submitted: 2010-02-24 01:07:48 | Word Count: 505
One of the best jobs, in terms of personal satisfaction and salary, in the health care industry is being a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). CNAs are responsible for providing patients with basic health care under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The regular duties of CNAs include, but are not limited to, feeding, bathing, changing the dress, grooming or moving patients. It may include such additional duties such as the changing of patient linens. The duties of a CNA may not seem very glamorous, but they are vital in the effective operation of any health care setting. The cna salaries are very good, and increase exponentially as you gain more experience. CNA salaries start around $19,000 for entry level positions to $36,000 for the more experienced nursing assistants. Besides, the base salaries, CNAs are in such demand that many hospitals and nursing homes offer attractive bonuses to encourage CNAs to work for them. Studies show that there will be increased demand for CNAs in the future as the population ages and requires increased long term health care needs.
Entry level for salaries for certified nursing assistants can range from approximately $19,000 to $29,000. The cna salaries are usually based on a per hour pay rate. The pay rate for entry level CNA positions start at about $9.50 to $12.00 per hour. It is a simple fact that cna salaries will depend greatly on the type of facility the job is found and the state and city in which it is located. The types of facilities in need of CNAs include: hospitals, mental health care facilities, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities and private homes.
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The pay scale for CNAs varies depending on where you work. There are large differences in pay scale from state to state and from city areas to rural areas. There are also many other variables which determine cna salaries. They include, the setting or type of facility in which you are to work, the experience level you may have, the need for professional staff at the particular institution and the amount of additional training and certification which you possess. The state with the highest median hourly rate is California, with an hourly rate of $10.00 to $14.00. Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas and Illinois round up the states with the highest median hourly rates for CNAs. The size of the company has been determined to not have a substantial effect on cna salaries. Self employed and contract employees average a higher median hourly rate than those working elsewhere.
Education is one of the most important factors in determining cna salaries. You can become a much more valuable employee if you continue your educational endeavors. Increasing your knowledge by taking medical education courses and training will not only increase your value as an employee, but will significantly raise the amount of job opportunities available. In the current economic recession, anything that can add to your curriculum and set you apart from others will be an asset when changing jobs, seeking a promotion or a salary increase.
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