New CNA student

I start my class in two weeks. The class is not costing me anything as the LTC that hired me is going to train me and certify me. I can't tell you how excited I am about this. For a lot of people, this may just be a quaint little certification for a job "wiping butts" but I can tell you. For me this is life changing and that is no exagerration.

I agree with both of you! I have not enrolled in any classes yet...I am still looking for class availability in my area...Iowa. However, I am very excited about this. "Wiping Butts" and being with people and knowing that something like that can change another life is just thrilling and 'goose bumpy' to me. I am a cancer survivor and I am just so excited to make this change in my life. I am actually going BACK to work after cancer now and this is allowing my children to start a Christian Education for the first time. I hope this is God's desire. Thanks for your ears.

I am not kidding when I say life changing. The past couple of years have been awful and this is the only possibility for it getting better. Because of certain past issues I had thought this door was closed to me but it turned out that it was not.

I am genuinely excited about this opportunity and I am not going to let it slip by. I can't. Every single egg I have has been put into this one basket. I have bet every single chip I have on this hand. Hey, you only live once.

Well, I am no expert, but I have been down the same path. Become a great CNA. Pretend the person you are caring for is you. Male or female, it doesn't matter. How would you react to the situation?

Keep your RN studies first and foremost. You will be asked to work a lot, but have set limits.

Watch the nurses....most are amazing. If you show interest, they will help you. If you are well trained, their job is easier. It's win, win. Don't have an attitude - that is poison.

Thank people if they help you. Be the first one there. You get the hint.

My goal is also to become an RN. I think starting as a CNA is a very wise thing. At my job in LTC you can tell the nurses who started as CNA's from the one's that weren't. They are much more willing to help. It's a tough career but also very rewarding. I love going to work and spending time with my residents.

I'm a new CNA but my goal is to become an RN ADN. I'm 53, soon to be 54.

One very important thing is to help others out. By showing your willingness to help you will get help in return.

Treat the residents like your own family members. You will soon get to love them and know exactly how to take care of them.

hi,I started CNA classes on 10/28 and will graduate on 12/19,I am having a good time,learning this stuff,we go to clinicals next week,which has me a little freaked out,but I am also very excited. It is hard work I know,just from all the "skills" time we have had in class lately,every school is different I know,but in my class we did quite a bit of medical abbreviations and medical terminolgy,anatomy etc. we have a very good instructor! we had a test (which we have usually twice a week) yesterday that was 75 abbreviations and probably like 40-50 terminology questions,I made a 100,point is if you study even a lil bit,its not hard! so just have fun,I will actually miss going to class when it is over