has anyone ever asked you why or discouraged you from being a cna?

Starletta, CNA · Apr 5, 2011

I'm in training also and people told me how "Gross" it was. All I would be doing is dealing with poop, etc.

I even mentioned Patient Care Tech and got the same responses. You know yourself best! It's not a super long program, and even if you decide you don't like it, at least you have the Certification "under your belt."

Also, there are a lot of different career choices besides a long term care facility.

Assisted living, Home Care, etc.

CoffeemateCNA · Apr 5, 2011

I told my grandmother's hospice nurse how eager I was to become a CNA (a loooooong time ago).

She implied I wouldn't be able to handle the job.

I proved her wrong, now didn't I?

(and to all the people that said I'd never make it: IN YOUR FACE!!!!)

LaterAlligator · Apr 6, 2011

My Grandma was worried that I wouldn't like it, she's an old-school retired hospital pharmacist and she has this idea that all I do all day is bedpans. :rolleyes: In reality my facility doesn't have anyone that's bedbound and I've never helped someone use one, though I do lots of toileting and changing briefs, of course. It doesn't bother me though.

Oh, and one of my residents, when I had to get a urine sample from him, was like "Wait, you're going to carry a cup of my pee? Oh, honey, you need a better job. Have you thought about being a doctor?". :lol2:

Jen{NAR} · Apr 6, 2011

I have been a CNA for two years now and have asked my parents many of times if it would be so bad if this was my career. They usually say something along the lines of "what ever makes you happy..." but the tone in their voice says otherwise. My mother has also said you need to make more money and being a nursing assistant won't pay you enough ((which is true but life is not about money--to me)). Long story short, before I got my CNA I didn't really ask anyone if it was okay for me to go to CNA training. Now after two years I have to question whether to move on from this very satisfying and rewarding career.

MurrR · Apr 6, 2011

Everybody in my family was completely supportive and one of my closest friends told me after my first day at clinicals, "I just realized - you are never going to have a boring day at work ever again." He couldn't have been more right!!

MissMcCoy · Apr 6, 2011

YES!

Before I decided to get into the CNA program my mother said...

I always picture CNAs as fat lazy slops who keep their house a mess...WHAT THE HELLL?!?!?!?!

kool-aide, RN · Apr 6, 2011

I have encountered this on many occasions. My family has been completely supportive of my career choices but when I meet new people and talk about what I do for a living I have more than once gotten the "I don't know how you do that job.." accompanied by the squeamish look. :eek:

But I tell them that I love what I do and that I'm able to help people. :up:

interceptinglight, CNA · Apr 7, 2011

Not just anyone can be a CNA, and that's a fact. Typically, CNA work is considered a very selfless and self-sacrificing type of job and it's definitely not for everyone. I've known more than one person who commanded a 6-figure a year job but left it to become a CNA because they want to do something meaningful. The emotional rewards cannot be compared to any other job.

There are a few drawbacks: the work is hard. The lazy need not apply. The job is risky: You or the person you care for can get hurt. Lifts malfunction, people fall, you may end up getting blamed and written up for something unfortunate that happens beyond your ability to stop it. The job may not pay well, depending on the facility and the state you work in. The job doesn't give you much chance for advancement, unless you're planning on furthering your career and becoming a licensed nurse. You have to put up with a whole lot of poop. Literally.

Nevertheless, don't let anyone belittle you !!! If you're a CNA you are a PROFESSIONAL. Your job requires intelligence and sensitivity that not everyone can handle. Don't let nurses make you feel small -- THEY CANNOT DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT YOU!! They need you like their right hand.

You cannot get the initials C.N.A. after your name without earning them. So be proud of your title !!!

interceptinglight, CNA · Apr 7, 2011

And speaking of how much nurses need us CNA's.....doesn't it make you feel good when try as she might, she just cannot get Ms. Resistive to take her meds......but YOU can.

yousoldtheworld · Apr 7, 2011

Not just anyone can be a CNA, and that's a fact. Typically, CNA work is considered a very selfless and self-sacrificing type of job and it's definitely not for everyone.

I agree SO MUCH. Recently there was a post on the general nursing board where people were talking about problems they had with their aides. Now, I have problems with some aides I work with too, as do my nurses, etc. But one poster said that they could go get any old person off of the street to do what aides do and they thought they'd be better off without us. I tried to say the same thing, but because I was offended and it showed, my reply was deleted.

And yes, I've had people tell me it was a terrible idea to be an aide, that I'd hate it, ask me "how could you ever do that?" and I don't care.

My original plan when I became an aide was to go to nursing school. While that still is a possibility, it is not financially possible right now (I already have over 20,000 in student loans to pay off), and I feel perfectly fine with continuing to work as an aide. I don't understand what's so horrible about what we do!

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Apr 7, 2011

^Yeah, it's really frustrating when nurses on here degrade us like that. I know how much money I DON'T make, and how "dirty" my job is. I already know I am worthless in the eyes of society... no need to rub it in by going on and on about how "lazy" and "uneducated" aides are. I just have to remind myself that it's usually the nurses with an inflated sense of self importance that say things like that... they think they are soooo educated and get their hackles up over the most trivial things. You would think an aide (or anyone who's not a nurse) wasn't qualified to give themselves an aspirin if you listened to them.

I have plenty of college credits under my belt but no degree yet. I am not exactly rolling in money and my family has never been in a position to help me either. But I guess I'm just "lazy."