anyone here a CNA?

Published

I am taking the NLN sept 6th. If I don't get in for the spring semester, I won't be able to try again until next fall for the next spring. It would be a year and a half. They moved the fall deadline to january rather than march. That really messed up my plan. I can only take the NLN once in 6 mos. So, I am trying to figure out what to do. I can wait and apply for next fall, or I can go for it to see if I get in for spring. I don't want to do nothing while waiting, so my plan is to take the CNA class, and then get a job as a cna in the meantime. I figured it would give me some experience in medical area. I am not too thrilled with the idea, but I need to do something. I don't think it pays much, and can be bad working conditions. The cna class is 8 weeks, 4 nights a week from 5-10 pm. My husband teaches 2 nights a week, so my parents will have to watch my son 2 nights. I feel really guilty for wanting to have a career. It has been a hard adjustment for my son. He gets upset when he wants to play, and I can't because I have to study. Is anyone here a cna? I would like to hear ideas on what your job is like, average salary, etc.I was having a major panic attack last night. I thought I was having a heart attack. It was 1am, and I couldn't sleep. I felt like I couldn't breathe, and my heart was racing, and my head spinning(dizzy). My chest felt pressure, and some pain too. I get those sometime, and I take zoloft. I may need a increase in dose or a different med. I also feel like my anxiety might prevent me from doing what I want to do. It always makes things much harder. Thanks for any ideas/suggestions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Urgent Care.

I have my CNA, but only because it was required for my ADN program. I work at an Urgent Care clinic as a CMA. The nursing homes around here pay around $10.00 an hour though, not sure if the hospitals are any differemnt. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't started working yet. I am applying to various places. I am applying to the hospitals first and if they don't respond, then I will try nursing homes. CNA's in my area start at about $9-$10 per hour.

If nothing else, CNA will help you with the nursing entrance exam, as it is basic level of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

I've been a CNA for two years. The money sucks, no matter where you go. I think it's an incredibly valuable experience. But it's not for everyone. I love what I do, and if it weren't for the pathetic money and the back pain, I'd do it forever.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

i used to be a CNA duriing my last year of high school and for the following 4 years...i did not work in a LTC for over 24 mo so i lost my registry and now i have to re-take it next month, as i need it in order to go to LPN school in Jan...at any rate in ohio i was making 8-10 an hour on second shift, and usually .50-1.00 more an hour for 3rd shift depending on the facility. Here in the city i live in now in TX it's like 7-9 an hour (which sucks in my opinion) but i have to do what i have to do.

i enjoyed the experiance and it taught me sooo much...you can only understand to a certain degree what comes out of a book, working as a CNA opened my eyes to the "real-world" circumstances that pop up and how to deal with patients as well as working as a team with the nurses. It honestly made me want to do nursing all the more.

The least you could do is take the classes and if you decide not to work as a CNA then no harm done right? you at least learned something new that pertains toward the medical field as well as nursing so when stuff comes up in your nursing classes you can be like...oh i already knew that...JMO

GOOD LUCK!

tasha

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I am a CNA and if you can get in the hospital than you would gain great exp espec. if an RN takes you under his/her wing but you won't learn much at a nursing home because CNA's really just dress feed nd things like that. I've done both and i think for me wanting to become a nurse hospital is better. What state are you in i need to find a a place that is offering the nln before january so i can start nursing in the spring. are you near NJ please reply asap so i can try to take the test thanx.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion