Advise for new CNA

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Hi everyone!

I recently just finished my CNA course. We basically taught ourselves with the book instead of going over things as a class. I seem to over think things most of the time but I would really like to receive some advise from you all for new cna's entering the field. I'm 19yrs old, single parent with an 8 month old and I also live with my grandparents. Family can be supportive at times but I worry about the time frame of schooling once I'm ready to apply for nursing school. I'm really trying to make it in life and I have a goal to become a LPN-RN. I dropped out of HS and got my GED right away, In my situation I feel sometimes that I'm not ready for nursing school but then again I am. I don't have good studying habits but I still tend to pass everything I do Was it stressful for you and how did you manage it with a child? What are the shift schedules for cna's? How many days do you usually work and the hours per week ? What is the pay rate? How long have you work as a cna, and if so how long after did you become a Rn!? I would like to hear all of your responses!

Thanks!

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I was not a CNA before becoming a RN, but I think that it's beneficial to have that experience before starting nursing school. I know that in my first semester of school, I had to get comfortable with doing vital signs and helping with patient care, which was a big change for me. My classmates that were already CNAs had a much easier transition in that aspect. As far as the schedule/pay/etc, you're going to find that's very specific to where you end up working. Generally the hours are pretty set 7am-3:30pm, 3pm-11:30pm or 11pm-7:30am. There are usually 24, 32 and 40 hour positions for those shifts. As for the stress, there's stress in almost anything, but if it's what you've got to do, you find a way. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I was a CNA and worked in a hospital before I became an RN. I was mostly in med/surg but I also worked mother/baby and even as a tech in the Critical Care Unit. It was so much better than long-term care for me; I learned about all kinds of things that I would have never even seen in LTC, and by the time I was done with RN school I was ready for my nursing career. That's not to say that I had it all together when I started, because I had the same trouble transitioning to the role of a nurse that everyone else does, but at least I wasn't surprised. And to be honest, I think all nurses should be CNAs or MAs before becoming licensed nurses. The skills certainly won't go to waste, and if you can handle CNA work you can handle anything else in your life.

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Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.

I was a CNA in long term care part time and at a hospital part time for about 4 yrs before I went for my RN. I went to school full time (wish I had gone part time ) and managed a family. I had to drop out of RN school 2 weeks into my last semester related to childcare. When I tried to get back into school I was told there was a 3-5 yr wait list. I spoke at length with my school counselor and tested out of the 1st semester classes and clinicals for LPN. I attended the last semester for my LPN. I worked as a LPN for a few years and then got my RN. Totally doable with kids but you may need to make adjustments.

I also agree that in my opinion all nurses should be a CNA first for a little bit. Great experience and I loved being a CNA.

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