CNA Questions

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 31, 2005

Hospitals - where I live, both the VA hospital (med-surg, sub-acute care) and the regular hospital (pretty much all depts.) hire CNAs.

NicInNC, CNA · Mar 31, 2005

I start my CNA classes May 3rd and will be able to take the CNA exam on May 31st. We have 2 hospitals here that have a high demand for CNA's, so I plan to apply at both. Also, the one (Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital) will pay for your CNA II training once you get hired, so I'm hoping I can get on with them. CNA certification is a requirement here for the Nursing programs, so it may be something that you would need if you plan to get into nursing.

sheri_u2 · Mar 31, 2005

Hi There!
I'm toying around with the idea of doing some CNA work before I start nursing school (and possibly while I'm in nursing school). I've heard the horror stories, but I think it would be great experience... even if I only lasted a couple of months. I'm sure I'd gain a great respect for CNAs that would last throughout my career.
What I'm wondering is what kind of opportunities are there for CNAs? All the CNAs that I know work at nursing homes. I would rather work in some other setting, but I'm not sure what other opportunities are out there. Could any of you enlighten me? What other types of settings do CNAs work in? How does the work differ in the different settings? Which setting would you recommend (i.e. where would I get experience most relevant to my future work as an RN)?
Thank you!!!

I got my CNA and PCT (patient care technician) certification and have been working part time for the same reason - to get experience. Although my classmates think I'm crazy to work for $9 an hour, the experience will be soooooooo helpful when I'm in clinicals. I'm no longer "green" when it comes to patient contact. You don't realize that simple things like moving a patient from a wheelchair to a bed when they can't walk takes skill and I'm glad to have learned theses skills prior to starting clinicals. You can work in nursing homes, but you can also work in hospitals (although its hard to get hired without experience and the hiring process is slow, can take months!) I worked in an ER and also as a Home Health Aide where I go to patients homes and assist them with activities of daily living. What ever you do, don't spend more than $500 for the CNA, some schools will try to get $10,000 out of you.

Glimmer · Mar 31, 2005

I, too, have thought about trying to get my CNA (although I am having a hard time finding some place that offers the proper training) but know that our hospitals have almost as many positions listed for CNAs as they do for RNs these days.

I think it will be great to get some hands on work before clinicals start... I also know that our hospitals hire SNA (student nursing assistants) for students are currently enrolled in nursing school and have permission from their instructor to work... or after you have done so many clnical hours.

I am going to look around more and see if I can find a local program again and see how long they run for and maybe try to get that taken care of before the next semester starts...