Why choose to become a nurse assistant or an orderly?
There’s a number of reasons actually; the availability of jobs, the opportunity to help people out in their ailments, the work environment choices, and earning a good living. A nurse assistant earns approximately $30,000 a year.
Training programs for nurse aides can be completed in just two weeks through a nursing facility. Training programs offered by other schools or community colleges or the Red Cross may take a bit longer.
After training and certification is completed, a certified nurse assistant can earn a starting wage of around $11 to $14 per hour.
An orderly’s salary will still vary depending on employment location, experience, workplace, education, etc. just like RNs and LPNs.
CNAs in hospitals get paid the highest, followed by those working in nursing homes and then those in patient homes or residences. Even inside the hospital setting, salary will still vary by department like for example; an orderly assisting in the ICU gets paid more than those working in low-stress departments.
Experience also defines the salary range of a nurse assistant. This job is considered a burn-out profession as it requires great physical and emotional strength to combat exhaustion and stress. Because of the very nature of the job, many orderlies find it hard to stay with the job and decide to leave in search of other positions or careers. This results to diminishing experience of many employed NCAs.
Apart from basic salary, nurse assistants are also offered health benefits and retirement savings plans among others.
One benefit of working in the health care field is its being recession-proof. A properly trained and well skilled orderly will have no problems getting a good paying job even during economic crises.
In 2008, there were more than 500,000 people working as medical assistants, nursing assistants, etc. the orderly as a profession is ranked way above average for its continuous employment growth, potential and job sustainability. People planning to be CNAs will find it very easy to get employed for years to come.
The projected growth rate for nurse aides or orderlies is expected to grow by 28% for the next decade as demonstrated by statistics.
Becoming an orderly can be your stepping stone towards a fulfilling and rewarding career n the field of patient care. CNAs can further their careers by becoming licensed practical nurses or LPNs. From being an LPN, you can step up the ladder and become a registered nurse or RN. Patient care giving is a respectable job that provides personal satisfaction as well as employment and financial security.
Related posts:
- The Average Registered Nurse Salary
- RN Salary Range
- How to Be a Certified Nurse Assistant
- Nursing Assistant Certification: First Step to A Better Employment
- Graduate Nurse Jobs: What’s In Store for New RN Graduates?