Is a CNA program a good place to start for a career changer?

[MEY_Student]

I'm in my mid-30s, raising a family, and I have almost no healthcare experience (the only exception being a VERY short stint when I was 18 in a nursing home/rehab facility as a receptionist - no patient care involved). For the past approximately ten years, I've been self-employed, working out of my home. The money is fine and the work is steady, but I've been thinking for years about going into nursing. I'll think about it for a while, check into nursing schools, and then I'll talk myself out of it before I even get anywhere. Mostly I'm afraid I couldn't hack it. I'm also afraid that I'll spend years in nursing school, only to discover that I hate working as a nurse. I'm really afraid I'm going to be too squeamish for the job.

I've seen a couple of Patient Care Tech jobs open at hospitals near me, and although it says you don't need experience, a CNA license is preferred. I've been thinking a CNA program might be a good way for me to "test the waters," so to speak, and see if I actually WOULD be any good in this field. I cringe at the thought of working in a nursing home (I don't even like VISITING nursing homes), but I also know that the experience gained as a CNA would be invaluable if I were to go on to nursing school, and maybe it would give me a better chance at landing a Patient Care Tech job.

Has anyone become a CNA after years of working in a totally different industry? Even though I'm afraid I'll be too squeamish to handle the grosser aspects of the job (changing bedpans, etc.), is that something you can eventually get past and get used to? I mean, I do have three kids, so it's not like I CAN'T handle cleaning up bodily fluids. I'm also afraid that if I do end up working in a hospital, that I'll faint/throw up at the sight of blood.

Now that I've told you all the reasons I DON'T want to do it, I should probably say what I can bring to the field: I'm smart. I'm a quick learner. I've ALWAYS worked hard. I don't feel like I'm too good to do any jobs. I do think I might be a little crazy to go from a cushy working-at-home gig to backbreaking, messy work for a lot less money, but if the idea of working in nursing keeps popping into my head, it has to be for a reason, right?

And, if I'm being honest, I'm getting a little TOO used to working at home. I mean, I'm not the most outgoing, social person (which is probably an understatement), and if I work at home the rest of my life, I can see myself turning into one of those agoraphobic people who never leaves home. I miss talking to other grown-ups. I DON'T miss office politics.

I've really been enjoying reading everyone's posts. I already feel like I'm learning a lot.

[Missingyou, CNA]

Well, you do eventually get used to the cleaning of bodily fluids and it's true that CNA's can generally clean up a poopy mess and then head off to lunch and not give it a second thought.

But it isn't for everyone. You will be spending the majority of time cleaning up messes. There is never enough time and you WILL run your fanny off in a nursing home.

There are other places that CNA's work...not just nursing homes and hospitals.

Yes, I think working as a CNA would be a good starting point to see if you will do well in the health care field. If after the first few weeks of working as a CNA (or even during CNA training) you start to feel a little shakey about it, give it a bit longer. I've heard so many new CNA's tell me they freaked out about the thought of doing certain tasks and they are now "over it". If you still hate it after a month or two, then you really aren't cut out for it.

There are also many areas of nursing. Nurses are not just in hospitals and nursing homes!

[Paws2people]

Take the CNA class, get the certification. You have nothing to lose here.

[lilmissetter]

I was in a similar boat at one time. I'm also in my mid 30s and have done factory work for the last 10 years, had zero experience in health care, and have recently become a CNA. I feel like I was pulled into becoming a CNA by God. A higher power definitely drew me into this line of work! The life experience that made me know I had a gift for being a caregiver came from the time I spent at the hospital with my husband's grandmother while she was dying of cancer. I felt an intense need to be there for her, help her eat, brush her teeth, give her backrubs, reposition her so she was comfortable, and do everything I could for her. She was the most caring, loving, generous, and selfless woman I have ever known, and all I wanted to do was to be able to help her as much as I could in every way possible.

I confided in my best friend, who is an RN, that I was considering becoming a CNA for a second opinion, thinking it may be just some crazy idea I had based on an emotional experience. She immediately became very excited when I told her this, telling me I would be an amazing CNA and that it wasn't just some crazy idea and I should go through with it. So I did it! I took a 3-week basic CNA training class and have been a certified aide for 2 months now. I am now working in a long term care facility, the same place where we did our clinicals, and I really love it! I feel a great sense of satisfaction every day, knowing that I have made a difference in someone's life each day when I come into work. Smiles and thank-yous go a long way! At one point, nursing homes made me feel uncomfortable too, but now I know that the residents need caring individuals to assist them with what they need and want that they are unable to do for themselves, I feel more at home, like I belong, and I serve a purpose.

I'm not going to sugar coat it, being a CNA is really hard and sometimes dirty work! But the payoff is well worth it, to me anyway. No one ever wants to lose their independence! But it happens, and it is very rewarding to be there for someone who needs some assistance so they enjoy and experience life to its fullest, with some help, as necessary.

Being a caregiver is not for everyone! But if something in your heart is telling you to do this, I say, go for it! Having the heart and the compassion to get into this field is half the battle. I'm also starting out as a CNA to test the waters and see if I get a greater hunger to dive into the nursing field. The best way to learn is from the ground up. It is also true that nurses and assistants have many other places to go besides nursing homes and hospitals.

I think taking a CNA class is a great idea! The knowledge and experience that you'll gain will be very valuable! You will know if being a CNA is right for you or not after doing clinicals, which give you real life experience. You had the idea for a reason for sure! It's worth it to see where it takes you!

I'm not sure that I want to remain in long term care, but there are so many other areas to explore.....

[loriangel14, RN]

Also realize that getting a nursing degree doesn't = a full time job of your dreams. There is no nursing shortage and many new grads have to relocate or take jobs that they don't want. Think carefully before you leap. Working as a CNA first will help. Good luck.