Okay here's the deal: Everyone here, with the exception of those of us who are still taking classes (me) has put in the work and time it takes to get certified, as a Nursing Assistant. You have all had the jitters when it came to taking the Boards, and regardless to how experienced you are till this day, I'm sure there are days that make you smile down to your soul after a shift, just as there are nights-which are sleepless.
In essence, are you all proud of your job as a CNA?? When people ask you what you do for a living are you particularly eager to explain to them you are a CNA, or is this something you only disclose to a select few because of the not-so-glamorous side of being a certified nursing assistant?
I'm 22 years old, and last night I was coming home with a student from my class. We were waiting in line to catch the bus, and she went on to say: "People don't know that if your a CNA, you are going to have to wipe butts! Thats what we do!". LOL Needless to say, I was in my scrubs and people had no IDEA what I was could have been a Nurse, or a Doctor etc. then she said out loud we are CNA's and have to wipe butts; which was a little embarassing to me :chuckle. Of course i'm working on my humility.
How comfortable are you all in disclosing your careers, and the details of what you do? Also, what measures do you all take to prevent the spread of infection to you, the ones you love, and prevent infection from spreading into your home after your shifts (i.e. Taking off your scrubs before you leave work)??
I am aware that this job requires humility and a humble spirit which is fine, but I love myself too, and our "Health is our Wealth". If we are not healthy, we cannot provide care for our residents.
I love my job but it's not something I want to do forever. I have some minor back issues that become acute from time to time and possibly fibromyalgia (I'm in denial about that one, though) so my body couldn't handle being a CNA for life. I'm in school to become an RN.
I work in LTC and normally have between 14-20 residents to take care of by myself. These are not self-care residents--well, a handful of them are--most need a lot of assistance. We also do hospice on my hall so I have to drop everything to do post-mortem care more often than my coworkers. I have the hardest hall in the building because I'm the best on my shift and can (usually) handle it. I'm not being conceited when I say that. I honestly don't think I'm the best but for some reason my bosses do. My job is very difficult and I doubt many people could do it. I couldn't do it if I didn't absolutely love it.
I tell people what I do for a living if they ask. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I consider my occupation more noble than, say, working for the government which is what I'd be doing if I actually wanted to use my degree. I help people who can't help themselves. How many people can say that?
I feel good to be a CNA knowing that I did something and that I can work in hospitals and its a better job than a sales associate to me..
But.. I really hate just being a CNA when I can't get in Nursing because of my Reading problem, since English is my second language..
Why does that matter? English being your second language shouldn't keep you out of a nursing program, especially an LPN/LVN program. From your post, you seem to have a good grasp of the English language.
I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm proud to be a CNA but I'm proud to have had the opportunity to see things from the other side. At the same time, I'm not ashamed or afraid to tell people that I'm a CNA. Regardless of the fact that I've been looked down on by friends and coworkers because I'm making a living doing work as a CNA with a Bachelor's degree in "IT" when I could be making $60,000 or more a year. Everyday regarldess of how my coworkers treat me I can have at least two patients put a smile on my face. Seeing people suffer from incurable diseases and still have a reason to smile is uplifting and definitely outweighs the bad that comes with the job. I complain more than anyone I know but it's not necessarily because I dislike my job, I'm just sometimes frustrated with my life and the way things have turned out but I know that someday they will get better.
Commanderzoom,
Maybe 50% of all employees at my hospital speak English as a second language and that did not hinder them from getting a job at one of the largest hospitals in NC.
I'm proud to be a CA (we are called clinical assistants at my hospital)! I'm currently in nursing school, and this job has been a great stepping stone for me in terms of getting used to basics and becoming more confident with direct patient care and hospital staff. Yes, I wipe more butts and see more funky things than I care to mention, but I also do cool things, like phlebotomy, which I love. Today I talked an OD patient into checking herself into the mental health unit after she refused the psychiatrist's suggestion to do so. I've been the one to alert the nurse or doctor to status changes that could have become code blues had no one noticed. We are not just butt wipers, we are valuable members of the health care team. I just hope that I take a piece of this job with me when I graduate to RN...in my opinion the best nurses on our team are the ones who aren't afraid to pitch and help with the "grunt" work.
I used to be an administrative assistant before starting nursing school, and I'm much more proud to tell people what I do now. I'll take wiping butts and drawing blood any day over handing the CEO his lunch and taking notes at a meeting.
Why does that matter? English being your second language shouldn't keep you out of a nursing program, especially an LPN/LVN program. From your post, you seem to have a good grasp of the English language.
It matters because I have to take this HOBET test to get in nursing program.
I need atleast 60 on reading and math, but first time I took it, I got 52 on reading and like 92 on math... Yeah I'm really good at math, but.. 2nd time I took it.. Which I took 6 months later because of the school rule, I got 58 on reading and 98 on math... Eh.. Yeah i was close, but now I have to wait 3 years to take another HOBET test for that school.
I know I can get in LPN program with my HOBET score, since I need 50 on reading and math, but I really rather try to go to RN program first...
There's this school in my area that doesn't require HOBET testing, but I heard that school's nursing program isn't that good...
But anyways.. yeah.. English being my 2nd language did keep me out of nursing program..
I absolutely love being a CNA (or STNA as we call them in ohio)! I have no problem telling people what I do for a living. Most of the time when I tell them what the job entitles, I will get a response along the lines of "I don't know how you could do that job. It takes a special kind of person to be able to do what you do." I like that I have a job that not everyone could do/qualify for. It's not like working in retail or a grocery store, which anyone could do. I think it really takes compassion to do what we do.
To be honest, a lot of my high school friends are jealous that I have such a great job that I enjoy.. even though it may get yucky sometimes.
It matters because I have to take this HOBET test to get in nursing program.
I need atleast 60 on reading and math, but first time I took it, I got 52 on reading and like 92 on math... Yeah I'm really good at math, but.. 2nd time I took it.. Which I took 6 months later because of the school rule, I got 58 on reading and 98 on math... Eh.. Yeah i was close, but now I have to wait 3 years to take another HOBET test for that school.
I know I can get in LPN program with my HOBET score, since I need 50 on reading and math, but I really rather try to go to RN program first...
There's this school in my area that doesn't require HOBET testing, but I heard that school's nursing program isn't that good...
But anyways.. yeah.. English being my 2nd language did keep me out of nursing program..
Why not try schools that don't require the HOBET since you can't take it again for 3 years or try to take it at a different school and have your score transferred if at all possible. Don't let your the language barrier hinder you from achieving your goal of becoming a nurse! Also, it may not be the fact that english is your second language. I mean, what's the reason for those who ONLY speak english passing the math part and not the reading?
Why not try schools that don't require the HOBET since you can't take it again for 3 years or try to take it at a different school and have your score transferred if at all possible. Don't let your the language barrier hinder you from achieving your goal of becoming a nurse! Also, it may not be the fact that english is your second language. I mean, what's the reason for those who ONLY speak english passing the math part and not the reading?
Good luck!
Yeah, I'm going to try to go to FTCC. I called them and they said I needed to register by Jan 30. But.. hmm. yeah I don't know why those english-speaking only people passing math, and not reading.. o_O
Yeah, I'm going to try to go to FTCC. I called them and they said I needed to register by Jan 30. But.. hmm. yeah I don't know why those english-speaking only people passing math, and not reading.. o_O
Where are you located? What does FTCC stand for? I'm in NC and we have a few FTCC's
Commanderzoom
94 Posts
I love my job but it's not something I want to do forever. I have some minor back issues that become acute from time to time and possibly fibromyalgia (I'm in denial about that one, though) so my body couldn't handle being a CNA for life. I'm in school to become an RN.
I work in LTC and normally have between 14-20 residents to take care of by myself. These are not self-care residents--well, a handful of them are--most need a lot of assistance. We also do hospice on my hall so I have to drop everything to do post-mortem care more often than my coworkers. I have the hardest hall in the building because I'm the best on my shift and can (usually) handle it. I'm not being conceited when I say that. I honestly don't think I'm the best but for some reason my bosses do. My job is very difficult and I doubt many people could do it. I couldn't do it if I didn't absolutely love it.
I tell people what I do for a living if they ask. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I consider my occupation more noble than, say, working for the government which is what I'd be doing if I actually wanted to use my degree. I help people who can't help themselves. How many people can say that?