Not a CNA, should I get worked as a NAR?

Published Jul 19, 2017

136 Posts

Hi, I'm about 4 weeks into my CNA course, and I've had 1 clinical. My instructors were talking about how we could start work after 3 weeks, as a registered nursing assistant, we just have to register and make sure that we get certified within 4 months (I think???).

After my first day of clinical, I realized that there was a lot of basic things I wasn't sure of, like helping a resident out of his wheelchair and into the restroom when he couldn't really speak (I also wasn't given any info about any of the residents, so maybe that would normally have helped?) or how to help them shower (I've only been taught how to do partial bed baths and perineal care) and just the flow of things. I questioned a lot of this when they told us we could do work so early, and the thing is, is that these instructors are really passionate about patient care and tend to be straightforward, like telling the high school students in our class that most employers don't want to hire you unless you're 18, etc.

So, when an agency hires a Nursing Assistant (Registered), do they understand and expect for there to be a learning curb for us? I'm sure I could learn some of this stuff pretty quickly, I just don't know if the other CNAs who are working would be annoyed with having to show me things, or end up having me do the things that are very simple- like fetching water, helping the resident eat, helping ambulate the resident...

I don't want to get under anyone's feet, it would just be nice to have a little spending money and I'd be excited to start gaining more experience, more than just the 1 day a week. The other thing is that my husband and I are planning on moving to a different state in October, and are having our wedding in September, so I would need time off for that. My instructor said that she thinks the facilities would be happy for any help they got since CNAs are hard to come by (and looking at the plethora of job listings for them in my city alone, I'd say that seems accurate). I don't want to just seemingly quit my job after a few months, though.

Should I just wait until I move and am certified to work as a CNA, instead of work as a NAR for a couple of months? Thanks for your input. :up: