Qestions about being a CNA

intehflames · Mar 7, 2009

I'm not a CNA yet but hopefully will be taking my state exam in a month or two. I'm also about your age, 22. I'm a pre-nursing student right now, finishing up my pre-reqs and I figured that working as a CNA while in school would be a great paid learning experience for my future career.

How long it takes for you to receive your official CNA license in the mail after you pass the test depends on what state you're in. Every state has their own CNA licensure exam. There's a written and skills test.

And yes, you could very well catch a disease from a patient. That's the risk you take when you work in healthcare. You'll probably come across a few patients with hepatitis or AIDS. Your class should teach you all you need to know to stay safe and protect yourself and your patients/residents.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

Hi! I'm around your age (19) & also finishing up my pre-reqs. I just finished my CNA class on 2/27 & I got my 90 day license yesterday ! In my state its a little different. If we got a 80% average in our class then we just pay the fees & are CNA's. But if we choose to work in a nursing home (which i want to do) we have to take a written & skills test to become Geriatric Nursing Assistants (GNA). I agree with what intehflames said, once you start your class you'll learn all about standard precautions & you'll be fine! Good luck :)

teysmith · Mar 7, 2009

AIDS!! AHHHH!!! thats scary! But I was think that since all the patients will probably be very old that things like those types of diseases wont exist. but am I wrong? How old do the patients in nursing homes and assisted living facalties usually be? And how is hepatitis contracted? Will there be any kind of shots that I will need before I start working?

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2009

AIDS!! AHHHH!!! thats scary! But I was think that since all the patients will probably be very old that things like those types of diseases wont exist. but am I wrong? How old do the patients in nursing homes and assisted living facalties usually be? And how is hepatitis contracted? Will there be any kind of shots that I will need before I start working?

It all depends. But if you follow standard precautions, you will protect yourself from contracting germs from your patients. A person in a LTC or assisted living doesn't neccessarily have to be "old" but may be unable to care for themselves anymore or needs round-the-clock care. Before I got started in my CNA class I had to get a PPD done & it was optional for us to get a Hepatitis B vaccine done, but since insurance didn't cover it, I didn't get it done.

*Miss* · Mar 8, 2009

Where I live, in the state of NY we had to take a written test and if we passed that then we had to take the skills test. I received my certification in the mail about one week after passing the tests. There's always a background check involved when your looking for employment. My CNA class was 9 weeks and the last week we did the clinical part of the program in a nursing home. The only thing we had to buy was scrubs, a watch and flash cards.

I think that all shifts are hard. I worked the 3-11 shift 5 days a week and it was hard!! If you choose to work overnights don't necessarily think that's it's gonna be easy because it's not. You still have to change the Residents a few times during the night and some of them have a certain time they like to get up and it may be before your shift ends. It may be an easier compared to the morning and evening but it's not easy....LOL!!

Good luck to you :nuke:

sonomala · Mar 9, 2009

Your first question about scrubs ect: that all depends on the program. It could be just a watch and scrubs or include a steth, bp cuff, gait belt ect so check with your indiv program.

Second in terms of getting your certificate every state is different. For some its a couple of days others its longer but you can check with your state board of nursing to find out.

Third in regards to shifts, its different for everyone. I thought I'd like graveyard best but sleeping durring the day did not work out at all for me. Also, we had to do several "dry runs" which can be labor intensive. Many places have cnas at night do their own laundry and often times you have many people to get up by yourself in just an hour or so. But since you've done overnight you might like it better if your used to it. Me, I just started on days and love how busy we are. Also I've got more time to interact with my residents :)

Fourth cna shifts vary just like any other. Most places run a 7-3am, 3-11pm and of course 11-7am. But many places offer 12 hour shifts that I think are great!!! If your not a morning person you may find you'll make more on graveyard as well but it varies place to place.

Fifth diseases, oh yea there are many that you can catch. AIDS, Hep, MRSA and many other nasty bugs. Just because they are old doesn't mean a thing. You will be exposed to tons of stuff and just have to use precautions. Another thing to note is that there is a new issue showing up, homosexual couples that are now entering ltcs. Thats an issue that for some areas, hard to believe, is on the horizon and for others its just a part of working there.

Sixth, pysch hospital I don't see why not. Just have to go apply and find out.

Seventh, your age shouldn't impact your ability to get hired. Just like every industry each employer has their own preference but I know where I work the younger ones aren't welcomed that well by fellow staff because many don't stick around long. But then most new cnas run into stuff like that.

My final bit of advice, is that caring is a huge part of what we do but theres so much more to it. Cnas work very hard both mentally and physically.Its not a job for the weak. My standard advice is rent GI Jane. I'm not kidding if someone isn't tough their not going to survive the job. You have to have a heart of gold, a body of steel,and a sharp mind or being a cna will tear you up. I'm new and I've seen it happen many times over.

Good luck!

Equinox_93 · Mar 9, 2009

AIDS!! AHHHH!!! thats scary! But I was think that since all the patients will probably be very old that things like those types of diseases wont exist. but am I wrong? How old do the patients in nursing homes and assisted living facalties usually be? And how is hepatitis contracted? Will there be any kind of shots that I will need before I start working?

Actually, the elderly are the fastest growing HIV/AIDS population. It's unfortunate but alot of the time they seem to feel that because pregnancy is no longer a risk that they don't need to use protection (and yes- the elderly are sexually active.) So yes-HIV -is- a concern.

Hepatitis B is contracted via contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids- including needle sticks with contaminated needles. It can also be passed congenitally from mother to newborn. There are other forms of Hepatitis that may be transmitted in other manners- but that's the big one right now. http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

teysmith · Mar 9, 2009

Your first question about scrubs ect: that all depends on the program. It could be just a watch and scrubs or include a steth, bp cuff, gait belt ect so check with your indiv program.
Second in terms of getting your certificate every state is different. For some its a couple of days others its longer but you can check with your state board of nursing to find out.
Third in regards to shifts, its different for everyone. I thought I'd like graveyard best but sleeping durring the day did not work out at all for me. Also, we had to do several "dry runs" which can be labor intensive. Many places have cnas at night do their own laundry and often times you have many people to get up by yourself in just an hour or so. But since you've done overnight you might like it better if your used to it. Me, I just started on days and love how busy we are. Also I've got more time to interact with my residents :)
Fourth cna shifts vary just like any other. Most places run a 7-3am, 3-11pm and of course 11-7am. But many places offer 12 hour shifts that I think are great!!! If your not a morning person you may find you'll make more on graveyard as well but it varies place to place.
Fifth diseases, oh yea there are many that you can catch. AIDS, Hep, MRSA and many other nasty bugs. Just because they are old doesn't mean a thing. You will be exposed to tons of stuff and just have to use precautions. Another thing to note is that there is a new issue showing up, homosexual couples that are now entering ltcs. Thats an issue that for some areas, hard to believe, is on the horizon and for others its just a part of working there.
Sixth, pysch hospital I don't see why not. Just have to go apply and find out.
Seventh, your age shouldn't impact your ability to get hired. Just like every industry each employer has their own preference but I know where I work the younger ones aren't welcomed that well by fellow staff because many don't stick around long. But then most new cnas run into stuff like that.
My final bit of advice, is that caring is a huge part of what we do but theres so much more to it. Cnas work very hard both mentally and physically.Its not a job for the weak. My standard advice is rent GI Jane. I'm not kidding if someone isn't tough their not going to survive the job. You have to have a heart of gold, a body of steel,and a sharp mind or being a cna will tear you up. I'm new and I've seen it happen many times over.
Good luck!

Wow! i'm kinda getting a little scared.. I really want to do this, but I hope that I am strong enough to handle it. I know that I can get emotional really fast. Maybe I'm just being a scary cat! I guess it wouldnt hurt to give it a try. I pray that I do well!

teysmith · Mar 9, 2009

will we be told that a patient have any kind of diseases so that we can take extra precautions?

Equinox_93 · Mar 10, 2009

will we be told that a patient have any kind of diseases so that we can take extra precautions?

OH yes. You will likely be told by the nurses- and the information will be in the patients chart- as well as possibly an indicator on the patients door. (Some facilities use color coded stickers or notes that say to see a nurse before entering the room.) No worries- if it's a known diagnosis, you'll be alerted. BUT- do be aware that not all risks have been diagnosed- so always take safety and infection control VERY SERIOUSLY. Not to scare you- just to make sure you realize it IS a serious issue.

jdpmjg89 · Mar 14, 2009

im sorry but why is having homosexual paitents and issue at all?