A Clueless New Guy

Someday-C.R.N.A. · Jul 25, 2005

Well Dude, Welcome to Allnurses-dot-com!!

Unfortunately, I think you may have little choice but to go for the CNA thing.

I'm not a real huge fan of that type of work either, but I have come to the realization that it is just a part of life as a nurse.

Thing is, you'll have to encounter this type of thing as an RN too. That license will not make you exempt from the icky, by any means, as I understand it.

Just go for it, man. Get in there and do what you have to. Once you get over the initial shock, I'm sure it will get easier and easier for you. Before you know it, you'll be changing bedpans and giving baths without a second thought. (And you'll have the experience you need as well).

Good Luck!!

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 25, 2005

Well Dude, Welcome to Allnurses-dot-com!!
Unfortunately, I think you may have little choice but to go for the CNA thing.
I'm not a real huge fan of that type of work either, but I have come to the realization that it is just a part of life as a nurse.
Thing is, you'll have to encounter this type of thing as an RN too. That license will not make you exempt from the icky, by any means, as I understand it.
Just go for it, man. Get in there and do what you have to. Once you get over the initial shock, I'm sure it will get easier and easier for you. Before you know it, you'll be changing bedpans and giving baths without a second thought. (And you'll have the experience you need as well).
Good Luck!!

I'm really starting to realise that this is my only alternative and that isn't good. I really would rather do lab work than washing and whiping old people's behinds but it looks like I have no other choice. But if anyone has any ideas then please share. Thanks!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2005

Just because the training is working with seniors doesn't mean that's what you have to do. There's other settings a CNA can work in. Can you try to be a CNA in a hospital for instance?

Good luck.

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2005

Just because the training is working with seniors doesn't mean that's what you have to do. There's other settings a CNA can work in. Can you try to be a CNA in a hospital for instance?
Good luck.

Good point Tweety :)

I've known CNAs who help out at Roswell Park Cancer institute for example.

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 26, 2005

Don't knock the idea until you try it. When I first got my NA certification, I absolutely detested the idea of working with the elderly. I applied just about anywhere that wasn't a nursing home or assisted living until finally giving in and I got a job in assisted living. Amazingly I love it. After awhile the personal cares you give kind of slip your mind and it becomes less about touching and more about caring. You'll find many of the residents really appreciate you and I think its very rewarding.

Don't most nursing homes that will train you only require you to work for them for three months? That's not a long time at all. If you don't like it move on and find your niche. Some of the best aides I have worked with are men. Those little old ladies who are cranky to just about everyone seem to love a couple of the male aides I work with. When they know that there is a shift change we have one who will hit her call button just to make sure her favorite aide is working.

Good Luck with it!

Medwynn · Jul 26, 2005

Hey everyone, I am new here. I am a pre-nursing student who is going to start a nursing program at my local community college in Sept. Right now I just work in a grocery store to make money. But my college has told me they would perfer to have their nursing students get experience in the healthcare industry before and while in nursing school. This is good for me because I really don't like my job and want to get one to do while in school that is somewhat close to my career. I have been told and found out that I could go for CNA training at a local nursing home but to be honest I don't want to be washing and helping seniors go to the bathroom as my job (the teacher of the program said thats basically what it is.) I am not saying I am above that kind of work or anything its just that, that area is not where I want to go into. I tried finding out information about being a lab assistant or phlebotomist but they all require previous experience of atleast a year or a certificated from the community college (Which takes 1 1/2 years to get). So here is where y'all come in. Does anyone have any ideas that can help me?

Hey Stiky,

I don't know what the size of your town is and the size of the hospital or hospitals you are thinking of applying at. There are critical care techs and dialysis tech positions at the hospitals around here, both requiring training if you get the position. If you're thinking about becoming a CNA while in nursing school which I am, probably only work 1-2 days maximum. but there are CNA's in different departments. Go to the hospital and visit each unit. Many nurses used to be CNA's.

Good Luck Stiky.

Dave11, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2005

its definately not the most glamerous job going. however, your first semester of nursing school will probably be exactly that. learning how to change beds, clean patients, take vital signs, etc.

working as a CNA will give you other basic skills like time management and learning how to deal with not only patients, but their families as well.

the hours can be very flexible so you can continue to work while going to school.

i think making nursing students work in health care prior to and while going to school is an excellent idea.

oh, BTW, guess what you will be doing during your clinical rotation...CNA work.

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 26, 2005

Alright alright y'all convinced me. Today I am going down to the Nursing Home that trains CNA's and take the class. If thats what I am going to have to do during clinicals then I mind as well learn how to do it now. I saw at the local hospital in the ER there is a position for a CNA/Ward Secretary and it sounds very interesting. I was just curious though how being a CNA in an ER and a CNA in a Nursing Home differs. I'm assuming since most people in a Nursing Home are perminent residents and most people in the ER are moved right away that the work is different. Any ideas?

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2005

That is not the only thing you will be doing for the elderly. A lot of these little people have no one; they are dropped off and left. They look forward to trusting faces and enjoy interaction just as well as anyone else. You might like this type of work. You can make a difference in their lives just like they will make a difference in yours. Good luck

Alright alright y'all convinced me. Today I am going down to the Nursing Home that trains CNA's and take the class. If thats what I am going to have to do during clinicals then I mind as well learn how to do it now. I saw at the local hospital in the ER there is a position for a CNA/Ward Secretary and it sounds very interesting. I was just curious though how being a CNA in an ER and a CNA in a Nursing Home differs. I'm assuming since most people in a Nursing Home are perminent residents and most people in the ER are moved right away that the work is different. Any ideas?

With A Jeep · Jul 27, 2005

OK, as a CNA currently in a Hospital I currently bath and take care of a lot of pooh. But, I also do a lot of dealing with Patients and their families. I have been learning a lot of ways to deal with people and ways to overcome problems.

I do have to agree that little old ladies in the hospital just love to have me in their rooms. I "dance" with a lot of them from place to place, Commode, Bed, Chair, etc. Plus, the overbearing, violent, and aggressive types that come in to the hospital tend to change their attitudes when a big guy walks in to help out the nurse. I have been told I am everything from a big teddy bear to the local bouncer. But, that is okay with me, I love my job and think I am learning so much from it.

You can also look into being the Unit Secretary, Monitor Tech, Transportation, or maybe even Linen or even Housekeeping to start with.

wa-rn · Jul 27, 2005

My first semester is nursing school was basically like CNA training, we had to learn all the things that I learned in CNA training, from VS to bedpans, transfers, and yes cleaning poop...yes there is a right & wrong way to do it (the difference was that not only did we have to learn to do a CNA's job, but we had to understand the logic behind the way we do things) and these are skills we had to be checked-out of in clinicals, and we were watched and asked questions while you perform the task (and the was a possibility of a U as in unsatisfactory, must do over!)... Because of my CNA experience, I felt more at ease while someone was watching me

So unless you want to change career paths, I do suggest going for training to be a CNA so you become more comfortable with it when you actually are watched wiping someone's butt. Another reason is, as a nurse, sometimes there are no aides, and you would be left doing patient care as well as your nurse duties... Also, once a nurse, you will learn to appreciate the work of a CNA having been one yourself (especially those that help make your shift go smoothly...And one more advantage, you acquire people skills, you would learn to interact with patients...

Good luck with your job search (and nursing school)!