You’ve heard of The Great Resignation—the mass submitting of two-week notices and the subsequent ruffling of resumes heard ’round the world starting in 2020 and continuing strong into 2022. Employees all over the work spectrum have had enough of being underpaid and underappreciated.
Here’s why you should take advantage of all the open positions in healthcare.
If you’re in an entry-level job and you relate, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) might be a really good option for you. Healthcare has lots of positions available, and healthcare employers are working hard to help employees have a better work experience. So if you’re in a job you don’t love, and you’re interested in getting into healthcare, there’s a great opportunity in front of you. Right now, you’ve got the power.
However, leaving a job can be a hard choice to make. How can you make the decision? Here are the four signs it’s time to change jobs:
- You are underpaid.
- You can’t picture yourself working there long-term.
- You are underusing your strengths and skills.
- Your values don’t align with your employer’s.
Let’s dive deeper into the four reasons it may be a good idea to leave your current job and why becoming a CNA might be the perfect option for you.
You’re underpaid
Being underpaid does more than make it hard to put bread on the table: It also causes other significant problems:
- You may be underpaid at future jobs.
- You are more likely to feel stressed or depressed.
- You are less motivated to perform your best.
But how can you tell if you’re being underpaid? Visit salary.com to compare your pay to what other people in your position and location are earning. For example, if you’re making $22,000 a year as a checkout cashier in San Diego and you have one year of experience, it’s important to know that the average salary for someone with that amount of experience is $24,600. It might be time for a change!
Instead of staying where you are, consider becoming a CNA. Healthcare organizations are always hiring CNAs, and you can find a hospital, clinic, or skilled nursing facility anywhere you go. Pursuing a high-demand job like a CNA also means that you can negotiate for higher pay. It’s an employee’s market, so you have the power!
One company hiring CNAs is Kearny Mesa Convalescent & Nursing Home, a skilled nursing facility in San Diego. They are offering a $1,000 sign-on bonus as a perk for new CNAs, and full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and other voluntary benefits.
You can’t picture yourself there long term
Envision yourself in 10 years. Are you still working at your current job? If not, what’s holding you back? There’s no better time than now to start a career you actually want to be in.
As a CNA, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. You will be gaining experience you can apply to a long-term healthcare career, from CNA to registered nurse and beyond. And you can learn from nurses and other healthcare professionals, giving you the confidence to pursue a career path that you will find rewarding.
While healthcare positions have been part of the Great Resignation, healthcare companies are realizing this problem, especially during the pandemic, and are proactively addressing it by improving work conditions, improving pay, and even paying for schooling. With all these benefits, you can feel comfortable launching a long-term career in healthcare.
You are underusing your skills
What are some of your strengths? Are you detail-oriented and organized, for example? Do you like helping others? Do you have the energy to be both physically active and mentally focused?
Now, answer this: Are you using your strengths at your current job?
When you become a CNA, you’ll use every one of the skills you have learned in training—plus, your natural strengths like compassion and organization will be put to use every day. On top of that, many facilities offer scholarships or tuition reimbursement to help you further your education and continue your personal growth.
Your values aren’t aligned with your employer’s
Do your current company’s values align with your values?
How do managers treat employees? Does corporate policy incentivize bad behavior? If thinking about your company’s true values gives you a knot in your stomach, it might be a sign you’re ready to move on to a company you feel more comfortable supporting.
Healthcare organizations are fundamentally built on values you can get behind. The mission statement of Generations Healthcare, for example, says in part that “caring for the sick, the elderly, and the infirm is a special and sacred stewardship.” When you can go to work knowing those values are what your company and coworkers believe in, that’s priceless.
If you are underpaid in a job you can’t see yourself staying at for more than a few years, it may be time to leave it. And if you are underusing your strengths and skills and want to work for a company that shares your values, becoming a CNA may be a great option for you.
- Four Signs It’s Time to Change Jobs (and Become a Nursing Assistant Instead) - February 23, 2022