What can I expect from CNA school?

[Amybeth56]

Hi. I hope someone will help me. I am going to be starting CNA classes next month and have no idea what to expect. How intense? Difficult or what is most difficult? Do you get used to the gross smells? What are the best and worst thing? Thanks to all or any help.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

It's easy. There will be a few skills that you'll freak out over because you won't get to practice them enough (usually people dread BP and occupied beds), but aside from that, it's really easy. And yes, you get used to the smells.

[sonomala]

Yes its easy, nothing to stress over. And the smells, my exp is that within a week of clinicals you don't even notice them. :)

[teacher08]

I completed CNA class a few weeks ago and it was rather easy. Also, I had clinicals with people who were in college and planning to enroll in nursing school. Many of us have or are in the process of completing our pre-req.'s. I enjoyed clinicals.

We did vital signs (BP, Respiration, Pulse, Temps.), accucheck, making an occupied bed, shaving, moving patients from the bed to chair, passing trays, feeding, bathing, dressing, etc.

My first patient, with two other pre-CNA's, was deaf/blind/and severely mentally challenged. My first assignment alone was with a diabetic patient who was paralyzed from the waist down.

I hope you enjoy CNA classes and clinicals. Just do your best and everything will fall into place. Best wishes.