[degraypoole]

CNA-Rags to CNA-Riches
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I'm a CNA, bottom of the nursing profession's "totem pole"! My last assignment was as a 24/7 live-in. My client died of natural causes 12/31/2007. Three months into the assignment my client and I got into a discussion regarding my career path. I told him I wanted to continue my nursing career and become an LVN, with a long term goal of having my own small residential group home here in Dallas, but alas I feared it would be cost prohibitive coupled with the fact that I was 56. He told me to research the cost and school of choice. On a daily basis he would ask me of the progress in the assignment. Out of respect, and because of my dream I conceded. I told him I had found a fast track school but it was very expensive. "How much" he asked? Embarrassed at my audacity I advised it was a 17 month program at a cost of $18,500.00. "No problem" he replied, "consider it paid for and you WILL go". "You are very good at what you do, the best, and you will go far". I was in awe, full of self doubt. When he died he left provision for me to attend the Dallas Nursing Institute. In addition, I would like to add that I started out at $10.00p/h working through an agency. During my employment he bought out my contract paying the agency $5000.00 so that I could work for him privately and provide medical care. I couldn't do that working for a non-medical agency. My income was increased to $25.00 p/h = $600.00 p/d, and would have been almost 1/4 of a million for the year 2008, had he lived.

So to all the CNA's out there, realize that your dedication and giving your client your all and then some can lead to a "Silver Lining". I was so blessed because I went way above "Beyond and Above" from the get go for this and all my past senior home-care clients.

I am in the throws of getting my GED, yes, my GED so that I can start my LVN program. God bless those clients who fully realize a good nurse when they have one.