[hopebewild]

Hi! I've been a cna for about 3 years at a local hospital. I love it! Im SLOWLY doing my prereqs for nursing and am applying for admission into nursing school in the fall. If I go to nursing school in the area I currently live, I will probably stay and be a nurse on the floor I work on now which is med surg/respiratory/icustepdown. All my nurses are great and have such respect for the cna's on my floor! I've been to other floors where that's not the case so I know the grass is most definitely greener on my side! lol!

[csax]

Hi Yall. I am a SNA at the University hospital on the med/surg floor. I start my 3rd semester of RN school in August. I love working as a CNA and the experience I have gained has been just another added value to the type of RN I will be in May. It is hard work but it is so worth the effort. I know that because I have been a CNA and worked my way up, as a RN I will value any CNA that I may have that works with me. It is truly teamwork. I hope you all have a blessed day. I just worked the 12hr night shift and have to go back in tonight for another. My bed is calling!!!

[nightingale]

I am so pleased with the response for this Forum! Thank you for the candid, funny, and informative information we have gained already. Rather then name you all by names, please allow me to do a blanket, “WOW” to you all. I am honored to be a part of this new team on AllNurses.com.

As concerns and issues come up, feel free to start a new Thread on this CNA Forum. You can do that by clicking onto the Forum Link or you may use this link (same one):

CNA Forum

I already see some issues being discussed Thank you for posting!

Let me know if I may help with anything.

[Plagueis]

I have been a CNA for over a year now, and it has been quite a ride. There are many things that I experienced that I was never taught in CNA classes! I'm looking forward to the discussions in this forum.

[chadash]

Whoo Hooo! a nursing assistant forum! Thanks guys!
It is great to interact with people that really know what we all go through day to day.
I have worked as a CNA for about 12 years, and did this work for "free" before that. Geriatrics seemed to be born in me.....
Have done LTC (have promised my family I will no longer do that....not much left for them at the end of a day), hospice, and home health. Lots of overlapping patients, and ten hour days. Now, I am part time with a private duty patient, who is a real gem, and I love it AND her, but bored bored bored!
Great to hear from some nursing assistants who care about what they are doing! Any of you "carreer aides"? (that is, not planning to go on to nursing?)

[Irishowl]

I have been a CNA for 6 years. The first 2 1/2 years I worked in long term sub acute care. I've been at the hospital on Telemetry for the 3 1/2 years. I only work 1 day a week as a CNA, the rest of my time is spent on the same unit as a cardiac monitor technician. I'm starting LVN school next year!

[jrsimon82]

YEA!! A CNA FORUM!!!
I'm a first year double major(RN and Anthropology) and I will finish my CNA program in about a month. I can't wait to get some hands on experience with patients, but I am scared. I'm a little shy so I hope I can conquer my introverted fears soon. I'm really burned out at my current job($12/hr to boss 50 people around and break my back) so I look forward to the change.I hear hospitals have smaller patient loads, like how many patients per CNA?
Also, if there are any nurse aides in L&D, what do you DO! I would love to work in the mother baby unit, the hospitals here in Grand Rapids, Michigan are pretty big and the units are huge and always hiring.

[chadash]

Originally Posted by jrsimon82

YEA!! A CNA FORUM!!!
I'm a first year double major(RN and Anthropology) and I will finish my CNA program in about a month. I can't wait to get some hands on experience with patients, but I am scared. I'm a little shy so I hope I can conquer my introverted fears soon. I'm really burned out at my current job($12/hr to boss 50 people around and break my back) so I look forward to the change.I hear hospitals have smaller patient loads, like how many patients per CNA?
Also, if there are any nurse aides in L&D, what do you DO! I would love to work in the mother baby unit, the hospitals here in Grand Rapids, Michigan are pretty big and the units are huge and always hiring.

Good for you finishing your CNA! Wow, what an ambitious undertaking, RN and anthropology, and working as a CNA.....What are your plans for the two majors, how do you envision utilizing them together?
The CNA work will get you over your introversion. Well, actually, is introversion something to get over? What I mean is: you will get more comfortable with patient interaction. Be yourself. I find shy people quite endearing.

[jrsimon82]

I plan to get my masters in one of the two areas and do research at a university. I would also like an adjunct faculty role later. I would enjoy teaching nursing students at the community college level, or nurse aides.I have a heart condition so I don't anticipate working in the hospital environment for more than 10 or 15 years. But I do enjoy a challenge, so for now I will work there! I have many passions and I want to be well educated. I plan on homeschooling our future children and I want to have something to offer them besides nursing. I'm an only child who has always been introverted, I do see it as a pitfall because I would rather read a book than talk on the phone. My family and friends always complain I don't call often!I just hope I can warm up to the patients easily after awhile.

[delee99]

Originally Posted by tofutti

Thanks for starting the cna forum. I'm working as a cna while I wait to start nursing school next year. I love/hate it. It gets better each week. I don't plan to stay there more than a few months, just to get some experience.

Hospital work would have been more relevant but for a total newbie this is a good start.

I worry a lot about injuring my back doing this!

Welcome to all the cna's.

Tofutti

be very Conscience of Body mechanics and don't be afraid to ask for help. the facility does not want you to injure you back either I started at 45 and now i work in the same facilility as an LPN. (while i fininsh my RN)