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Nursing Assistant Jobs Are Plentiful in SoCal. Here Are Some Pros And Cons Of Entering The Field
Jessica Williams lifts a fellow student using a strap during a CNA training program. (Jill Replogle/LAist)
Certified nursing assistants, or CNAs , are in huge demand. California is expected to have a deficit of nearly 13,000 nursing assistants each year through 2024, according to the research and policy group California Competes: Higher Education For A Strong Economy.
It's relatively easy, fast and inexpensive to become a CNA. There are dozens of training courses offered in the L.A. area, ranging from several thousand dollars to free.
But CNAs have been among the most exposed to COVID-19. And, they generally don't get paid much -- around $17 an hour , on average, in the Los Angeles area.
Eduard Izatov, 46, was a ballroom dance instructor until the pandemic hit. "The studios are still closed right now, so I completely lost my business," he said. Now's he's training to become a CNA and hopes to work in a hospital.
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The hourly pay is a lot less than what Izatov charged for an hour of dance lessons. But he figures if he works full time at a hospital, which he's hoping for, and picks up some overtime shifts, he can make a decent living.
"If you can calculate for, like, four days of 12-hours shifts, it's going to be in a year around $65,000," he said.
READ MORE ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS OF BECOMING A CNA:
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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