Anyone start as a CNA in their forties?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I'm now 44 and I've been an office worker in all different capacities for twenty years and the thought of being an RN keeps nagging at me and I thought I'd start my path at CNA; do I know what I'm getting myself into?

I know this would be a big change, :eek: because I was in a CNA class I had to drop six years ago due to my husband's health issues. I worked in a retirement home when I was 16 and did some volunteering in an E.R. six years ago and that's as much of the medical field I've seen. I found it scary but rewarding.

There are classes coming up and don't want to sign up until I know I can see it through, or how to get through it the best way possible. Sure would like to hear from others like me or those who can share their knowledge. Thank you!

i know one of my fellow NA student he was 69 years old and a student as a NA

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i took the cna course and rec'd my cna license this year at age 49. after 22 years in business/govt, i began daydreaming of going into the care-giving profession. my first move was to work with my veterinarian, so i spent five tremendous years with her providing care to cats and dogs. to keep life interesting and challenging, i then made the move into human health care, and i'm studying to be an RN.

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i am 44, and decided to become a cna because i wanted to learn proper bedside nursing skills, and make sure that healthcare was right for me. my journey started last december with application into a program at the local cc, completion of the course/clinicals in march, licensure in april, and starting my job at a combination skilled/rehab+ltc facility in may. it's been interesting!

if i had a top ten reasons why it's great to become a cna for a person interested in nursing, here they are:

1. nurses supervise and work alongside cna's. the best ones know how to be supportive and appreciative, while still maintaining firm, consistent expectations of the cna's. no better way to learn than by having walked the mile(s) in the moccasins!

2. cna experience can help the transition into nursing skills and clinicals. every nurse i talked to while i was deciding whether to become a cna said that they either wished they had done it (because their peers who had been cna's ran circles around them in clinicals) or were glad they had cna experience.

3. you will get first-hand opportunities to observe nurses, and how they do their jobs. whether you are helping position a resident/patient for a treatment, or have a chance to hear a nurse handle a resident/patient behavior situation, it's all educational.

4. you can figure out what brands of scrubs, shoes, etc. work best for you, day (or night) in and out. proper shoes are a must! buy your scrubs at the second-hand store if you need to save money, but do not scrimp on shoes!!! whether you prefer dansko clogs, wolverine nursing shoes, or good quality tennis shoes, get something that is comfortable and safe. keep in mind that you will be on your feet on hard floors, and you will need toe protection from wheelchairs and the wheels on mechanical lifts, shower chairs, etc.

5. you will learn to appreciate compression socks and/or stockings! if you already have varicose veins, don't make them worse!

6. you will learn that people in their 20's are happy to be helpful if you are willing to learn and don't have a knowitall attitude because of being older. i found it reassuring that the gen y'ers i work with are good teachers and team members.

7. residents/patients all present opportunities to learn how to handle different skills and situations.

8. you will not need a gym membership, particularly if you work with total care and/or bariatric folks. i've lost 8 pounds since i started working as a cna!

9. you will learn time management relative to the healthcare setting. yes, these are 24-hour facilities. however, it's great to get all cares & tasks done before shift change so your oncoming cna's don't hate you!

10. you'll learn how to protect your body so you have many productive years working as a nurse!

good luck!

awesome post!!!!:yeah::redbeathe:nurse:

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Specializes in Acute Rehab, IMCU, ED, med-surg.

@ text42cares - awwww....thanks!

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Seriously Boogalina, you should consider writing a career genre book.:yeah:

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Add me to the list of mid-life career changers! I'm 44 and will be starting CNA classes next month. I've applied to nursing school (both the pre-nursing and nursing programs) and since the school I applied to requires students to have their CNA certificate somewhere along the way, I figured this would be a good start while I wait for an acceptance letter (***fingers crossed!!!***). I've been an early childhood teacher for 20+ years and am ready for a change. I say BRING IT ON!

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Add me to the list of mid-life career changers! I'm 44 and will be starting CNA classes next month. I've applied to nursing school (both the pre-nursing and nursing programs) and since the school I applied to requires students to have their CNA certificate somewhere along the way, I figured this would be a good start while I wait for an acceptance letter (***fingers crossed!!!***). I've been an early childhood teacher for 20+ years and am ready for a change. I say BRING IT ON!

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!! :yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

You were class of 85?? Me 87...days of the Firebirds,Supra's & Cameros!!!!!!! We had fun!!!

Starting my CNA MONDAY!!!!! in 15 days I 'will be done!!!

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Starting my CNA MONDAY!!!!! in 15 days I 'will be done!!!

Good luck on Monday! Let us know how it goes. WOW....15 days? I wish I could get it done in 15 days! My program is Wednesdays, August 24 - Dec 14. I currently teach Tue/Thurs/Fri so I can keep working while I do the program.

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Specializes in Candy Striper in the 80's.

Wow, now I don't feel so bad. I thought for sure that I was the only one making a career change in their 40's. I was however the oldest in my cna class. Some students "tried" calling me "momma cna", until I quickly put a stop to that...lol However I made the highest grade in class. Totally different career path, than my trucking career. So GOOD LUCK to all you aging wanna be cna's. Best wishes to you all. I'll be a cna, someday.....Just waiting ever so patiently......:p

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Starting my CNA MONDAY!!!!! in 15 days I 'will be done!!!

Good luck on Monday! Let us know how it goes. WOW....15 days? I wish I could get it done in 15 days! My program is Wednesdays, August 24 - Dec 14. I currently teach Tue/Thurs/Fri so I can keep working while I do the program.

Hey ChristiM,

I was going to to the Sat 8-5 thing starting on Sept 10 till Dec11, but my SummerII Math class cancelled(not enough registrants) So I found this class Mon-Fri to take the place of my Math. This is the only way I can knock it out.

Once you finish the CNA are you going to push on for additional training?? Yes keep working till you finish .. then I would say you are ready for Phleb training or direct to LVN/LPN school:yeah::yeah: You can do it!!!

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Wow, now I don't feel so bad. I thought for sure that I was the only one making a career change in their 40's. I was however the oldest in my cna class. Some students "tried" calling me "momma cna", until I quickly put a stop to that...lol However I made the highest grade in class. Totally different career path, than my trucking career. So GOOD LUCK to all you aging wanna be cna's. Best wishes to you all. I'll be a cna, someday.....Just waiting ever so patiently......:p

It is because we are aging like fine wine and have purpose!!:redbeathe:coollook:

Trucking Career - you will have great critical thinking skills and the ability to use your experience's to know when to hold and fold -bottom line you know when some one is feeding you a line :cool:

You also have learned in that industry not to be thin skinned ..you can take the heat and pressure

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cna hopeful, text 42, and christi m,

Good Luck in your endeavors. I'm 44 start CNA class next week, for a month, know we will all be superstars!!! :anpom: I can't wait to start working. I've heard its great experience if you want to continue on to Nursing. Which I will, I want to go for RN.

This is a great site. So much support and I love hearing from the experienced Nurses.

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