Becoming a CNA....please help

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi guy, Im new to this site. I have a few questions.

Alright, well here is my situation. I recently moved to a new state..and currently only have a part time job, which isnt what I want to do be doing for the rest of my life. Anyway, I have recently spoken with a Surgery Center who offered me a job as a CNA, with them paying for the training and such. I have always wanted to be a nurse or in the medical field. My questions mainly are, if I become a CNA, can I work up to a LPN, or RN?

Also, do alot of CN's like their job? Is a CNA in a surgery center any different then in a hospital or nursing home?

I just want to make sure I have all my questions answered and things before I decide if this is the career choice for me

any answers,suggestions,comments or advice is greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

A lot of nurses started out as a CNA first, including myself. IMO, it's a great way to see what nurse's really do. You also look great pt care skills, that will help you to be more confident once you decide to become a nurse. I don't know exactly what your responsibilities would be at a surgery center, I've only done inpatient, but it's great that you've been offered the job. Even if you decide the surgery center isn't for you, it would help you to build experience, and help you to get a job elsewhere. Good luck!

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thanks so much!

I just really want to find out what my duties would be at the surgery center, as far as with the patients, I know what CNA's do and everything but im wondering what specific duties I'd be doing

I just wnat to make sure I make the right choice.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
thanks so much!

I just really want to find out what my duties would be at the surgery center, as far as with the patients, I know what CNA's do and everything but im wondering what specific duties I'd be doing

I just wnat to make sure I make the right choice.

If I had to guess, you'll probably be doing alot of pre-post op vital signs, assisting with positioning, helping to the br/bedpan the first time after surgery (if they stay that long), restocking/tidying rooms.

What kind of surgeries do they do?

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Im not sure, I didnt get all the details yet, I go on tuesday to meet with the head lady in the surgery center. I just wanted to get as much information as I can before I go. I understand that CNA jobs arent easy and that you have to wipe hineys! I get that and Im fine with that, but to a point, I dont want to wipe hineys every day, all day. Thats why Im wondering if working in a surgery center wouldnt be as much hiney wiping. That sort of things dont gross me out, or anything like that.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Oh, you'll be doing alot more than just cleaning up after pts. Good luck!

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Specializes in CNA med-surg.

i am a nursing student and i looovee being a CNA, its really great work, just depends how you look at it, and im sure it will help me be a better RN, especially since im working in a hospital, so if you want to be a RN being a CNA is great to do first, because i figure if you cant handle being a CNA then why go to be a RN.

Anyway, yes CNA's do a lot of PT clean up, vital signs, some stocking, passing trays, bed pans, assisting to the bathroom, bed baths...im not sure about a surgery center though... and so on... it is easy work just a lot to do usually, but being any type of nurse or CNA there is no real way to avoid wipeing butts, i guess unless you work in a doctors office, but that seems boring :p

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thank you for your input!

I didnt mean I dont want to wipe butts at all, Ive just talked to alot of people and they all told me thats a majority of your job. I dont mind doing, but i dnt want my whole cna career to just be doing that, I want to be doing a variety of things. I would love to work my way up to a lpn or rn, thats why I want to start out as a CNA, I figured its a great opportunity and that I should research it some more before I become committed to it

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Specializes in CNA med-surg.

Haha, of course you dont just wipe butts all day, i dont think anyone could stand only doing that:clown:

but, either way, you totally get used to it... i had a lot of CNA students in my CNA class and half of them would run away if there was a diaper change at the start of clinicals... then by the end, everyone was over it and it just *isnt* a big deal anymore... :rolleyes:

but if you want to be a RN do it! i am currently working on the CNA-LVN-RN bridge program... and being a CNA helps soooo much, so i think you should do it, you will love it, and trust me you will do other things besides just cleaning patients :D just wait till you get a patient who loves you to death and thanks you all the time for the great care you give them... makes me happy to be a CNA right now... and even more excited to be a RN one day..

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I have one last question, is it going to be a problem or cause me difficulties considering I am so small?

I am only about 5 foot 1, and about 125 pounds

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No, they have equipment usually to help with bigger patients and you should have help from a co-worker if anything.

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Specializes in CNA med-surg.

you will be fine, my boyfriends mom is 4'11 and like 100 pounds and she has been a CNA for 10 years and still going strong.

i am 5'5 and 115 and i am a bit weak so i do have to use a lift on heavy patients, but even though i am weak there are good techniques to lifting patients

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