"You won't like being a CNA!"

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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So, I've been accepted into the nursing program at my community college. There is a 1 to 2 year waiting list. While waiting I'm taking my pre-req's. I also took a CNA class, so that I can get started in the health field, gain some experience with working with patients, & possibly to test out of the beginning nursing class.

When I tell people that I'm going to start as a CNA, people immediately say that I won't like being a CNA due to the low pay & the hard work. People act as if I chose this profession lightly. I feel like the nursing profession in & of itself is a physically demanding & stressful job. I have been thinking about being a nurse well over 10 years & I know what I am getting myself into. I know the type of person that I am & I know the contribution that I want to make to the profession.

Does anyone else have people discourage them from being a CNA or going into nursing because they think that the work is to hard & stressful?

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I worked as a CNA all through nursing school. For the most part, I enjoyed my job and it gave me an opportunity to observe situations and interventions that helped me learn. I became very comfortable with patients, and getting "up close and personal". Really, there were only two negatives- it was challenging to juggle a job, school and family, and there are some nurses that treat you like you are a brainless sub-human.

But, all of the experience helps me as a new RN- including how "not" to treat my CNA's.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I've actually had the opposite. Most of my friends and my extended family seem to think being in nursing is a piece of cake. They don't realize how hard that nurses work.

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I became a CNA as a requirement by my school's nursing department. During this time, I did learn that being a CNA is extremely hard -emotionally and physically. If being a nurse were easy, everyone would do it.

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Well said, ProudStudent. I am in nursing school and work as a CNA a lot of the days that I am not in class. It is really hard work. And the CNA training doesn't really prepare you for how hard it is to have 15-19 residents/patients and perform total care on many of them. Or have some that are orientated enough to take up a lot of time going to and from the bathroom, and you have to watch them to make sure they do not fall down. Or they want to get up and meet their (deceased) spouses at the market...and your the one keeping them from that!!!

So...while it is hard doesn't mean it is not rewarding, or that you will not like it. You need to follow your own path...and one that you choose is a lot more rewarding than something you 'fell into' because you needed the $$$.

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They were just giving their opinion. I was a CNA for 11 yrs. I had my days where I would have told you the same thing. To each their own, but as long as you love what you do then that's all that matters.

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My friend tried to discourage me from being any type of nurse because of "the long hours and dealing with people's poop".

On the other hand, my family has been amazingly supportive and I trust their insight more (my aunt and my cousin are both nurses).

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.

I am not a CNA and never have been....During Nursing School though I did learn those skills and it is a tough job....rewarding for certain but very tough....I found the nursing aspect to be a little easier to grasp than the CNA role truthfully.....I am grateful for the skills I learned and honestly those skills are something I need to continue to work on as I mature in my nursing career....nothing is ever to hard!....you will be just fine, and enjoy every minute of your whole expierience because it goes faster than you think!

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When I was a new CNA I thought that people were just BSing about it being hard work.

It's not that I DON'T like being a CNA; it's just that being one has revealed to me every ugly aspect of healthcare-- the greedy big-wigs, the delusional administration, the need to "know-someone who knows-someone" to get promoted/hired, the nepotism, the psychotic coworkers, the patients who will become abusive and aggressive given the opportunity.

Yet I'm okay with it.

Being a CNA has showed me that nurse assisting classes were a lot different than the real world. While I love working with geriatric patients, I have to say that I really hate how certain facilities are run.

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Specializes in Emergency, Neuro Med-Surg, Home health.

I became a CNA as part of the prereqs for the RN program at my community college. I just started a job about a month ago at a facility that has both long term care and rehab units. I was concerned at first, because people will sometimes tell you terrible things about working as a CNA. I was really worried about the "gross factor" and how I would handle it. But honestly, cleaning up poo and washing naked butts is not that big of a deal after the first few times. I had never worked as a CNA before (I have been in an office for the last 7 years), so I was paired up with an experienced aide for the first few days until I got the hang of it. The hardest parts of the job for me have been that 1) it IS a very physical job, because you are on your feet all day, and turning and transferring patients in and out of bed and 2) trying to integrate myself into an established team and learn their routines. I am so glad that I took this job, because I am MUCH more confident about starting the RN program in less than a month and don't feel nervous about the hands-on type stuff anymore. I also feel like in order to be a successful supervisor of CNAs, which you will be as an nurse, it helps to know the job they do!

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You may not LIKE being a CNA somedays. We all have those days, BUT being a CNA before nursing school gives a big advantage when you start nursing school. The first clinical in nursing school you will have is usually doing CNA work Nd learning AM care ect. It is tough and physically exhausting BUT you can make good money (depending on where u live) also try toget into a hospital instead of Long term theres more options as a CNA & alot of learning in a hospital setting. Ive done home care; LTC & now hospital and it helps alot for me with nursing school! Most of the nurses on my unit are AWESOME! And let me assist/help and teach me when they are doing things :) BEST OF LUCK

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Specializes in FNP- Urgent Care.

I've been a CNA for 3 years while waiting to apply to nursing school. Yes it's back breaking at times and Yes it's difficult mentally and emotionally, but these are all things you will experience as a nurse. By being a CNA first, you will be more prepared for the things to come, like being peed and pooped on (it happened). I think everyone should be required to have this experience before becoming a nurse, personally, and a lot of schools are starting to agree with that.

I work in a private nursing home, with only 8-10 patients to take care of. I've heard it's much more difficult in state facilities, so I guess that is something to think about. Good luck :)

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