I quit my good paying job to attend a CNA class. Anyone else?

fuzzy,

My permanent shift is 7 to 11 on sat and sun plus 1 evening shift a week. This week Orientation schedule has been off the wall this week, but I start my normal shift this weekend. I did notice I mistyped something though its an 8 to 1 ratio for residents to aides I'm sure y'all already figured that one out though

8;1 ratio? That's GREAT!!! Your are lucky!

I had to quit a better paying job about 5 years back to do CNA, but it was more a matter of being forced to.

I was a waiter and bartender in New Orlean's French Quarter. I was on a on-call list for 2-3 hotels, a union, and an
agency. I did pretty well because I would get paid $80 to $300 per function plus tips in some cases. During busy season, I could work 2 days and have my rent. However, this work was also very seasonal and was dependant on being very aggressive and having good relations with bookers to keep working. It would not be uncommon for a large event to need 50 to 100 waiters or bartenders for an entire week. The schedule during those times was always pretty brutal where you would go in at 4am and not leave till midnight and have to turn back around and do it again the next day. Mind you, you also had to do this in a full tuxedo for all those hours and keep yourself clean and presentable which was a huge challenge with those kind of hours.

However, after Katrina, this bussiness stopped being profitable. I had trouble switching to ala carte waitering or bartending at the good facilities because the view that banquet waiters were lazy and the ageism and sexism that exists in that industry (to bartend/wait in the FQ, you have to know someone and it helps to be a female under 30 with nice, err.. looks.. or least be a young, hip guy.) Being over 30 with a bit of a belly, this was an excersise in frustration.

Fortunately, the summer before Katrina, I had alot of time off and a bit of money saved and decided to take a CNA course in New Orleans East. My thought was to do something different the next summer besides work at a cheap local place that does weddings or have to put up with this jerk guy that I used to stock coolers for.

I am glad I did. Where I winded up after Katrina, my CNA certificate gave me a job at a hospital. From there I went agency and started working contracts. I get to actually help folks out as opposed to giving rich, drunk tourists thier 5th gin and tonic so they can pee on Bourbon Street. I have recieved letters from some of the folks I have helped over the years that I save. I also do not have to wear that stupid, hot,uncomfortable tuxedo that doesnt cover your butt for hours upon end. That in itself is worth a cut in pay.

I have gotten to see people from all walks of life. I also have learned of the existance of other careers I would not have even considered before. For example, one place I worked in a ER watching psych patients while they waited for psych beds to come available. I managed to talk and get friendly with some EMTs, which will now lead to me taking EMT-Basic in the near future. This has been quite an adventure, at least for me. (I seem to get along and do better in the EMS culture other than nursing. Plus, nursing has huge waiting lists and horrid class schedules that make it hard to work and do.)

Sorry if it was long. That is my story. I hope it helps folks. But, do not stop at CNA. Do not be boxed into just LTC. You can do more than just that. You have the excellent opportunity to get the real lowdown on medical careers other than just listening to what others say who probably do not know.