Welcome! I am the Moderator of the new CNA - Nursing Assistant Forum. I am also an RN who works in various health care settings. I have experience in Long Term Care, Home Health, and Hospital settings. I have been a Nurse since 1998 starting out as an ADN; I received my BSN in 2001.
I wish I had been a CNA prior to Nursing School; I know it would have helped tremendously. The jitters I encountered make me blush now. I remember not wanting to look at a wound for a new patient because I was "uncomfortable" lifting the covers and envading someones privacy! It is safe to say, "those days are over ;)"!
Please take a moment to introduce yourself. If you have time, grab your cup and tell us about yourself. Feel free to PM me if there are any concerns that are of a personal nature. Oherwise, post your conversations and questions here so we can all learn.
I have completed a CNA/HHA course through the local hospital and the night school in my town. I am now done with my course and all I left to do is take the red cross test to become certified in the state of massachussetts. Does anyone know what kind of identification they will accept to allow you to take the test? I am only 16 so I dont have a drivers license and when I called the testing office they were very unsure about wheather or not a learners permit would be acccepted. Anyone know? Thank you!!!
Not sure about Mass, but in FL you have to be 18 to sit for the test and they require a driver's license or state issued picture ID to sit for the exam. Hopefully someone from MA has an answer for you! Good luck!
Welcome all CNA's...thank you so very much for all that you do each and every day. We couldn't get it done without you ! :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :welcome:
That is awesome~ Now, I understand that means Licensed Nurse Aid.. I know there are many different titles.. However, as much as this all seemed like 'common sense' stuff years ago, really, it is not as easy as one thinks! Basically, it is first semester nursing.. Congrats~ And Good Luck..Suzi
I'm a new CNA, I just started working about a month ago. I took a CNA course this past spring as a pre-req for the LPN program at school. I didn't plan on working until I was out of nursing school, but you know how that goes...needed money to make ends meet...sooo I got a job. I'm glad that I am working though, I really enjoy my job. It's a great learning experience.
I'm a new CNA, I just started working about a month ago. I took a CNA course this past spring as a pre-req for the LPN program at school. I didn't plan on working until I was out of nursing school, but you know how that goes...needed money to make ends meet...sooo I got a job. I'm glad that I am working though, I really enjoy my job. It's a great learning experience.
~Happy to see the CNA forum!!
Hi, I'm glad that you did decide to work as a CNA as well before becoming a LPN. I've heard that most RN's and LPN's who've worked as CNA's first have better experiance's after they get their Licensure as Practical and Registered Nurses.:yeahthat:
Hi. I have been a full time nursing assistant for 19 years working in long term care. I am now employed in a hospital as a nursing assistant. What a change! I will soon begin the ADN program.
Hi I have been a cna for 7 yrs now 3 on orthopedics and 4 on telemetry now i am awaiting my acceptance letter for the lpn program which begins in january 07' im keeping my fingers crossed:balloons:
I went to college for 4 yrs and became a speical edu teacher. I taught one yr and decided that I didnt think that was what I wanted to do. The kids were great but the parents were horrible. So I took a yr off from teaching and went to work at a mental hospital on High control. I worked there for 16 yrs , got my cna I and my cna II and my med lic. I now work for home health going from home to home putting in caths , doing baths, dressing changes, dcing iv and a ton of other stuff. I never wanted to be a rn or I would have went there instead of getting my teaching cert. I love home health and the pay is great and the beanies are wonderful.
I would just like to say that I am impressed that some nursing programs still make being a C.N.A a prereq. to their program. I have been a nurses aide for 6 years now I started nursing school last year. There is no requirement in the program that you must be a c.n.a any more. It use to be this way but they have done away with this. Can anyone tell me why. The facility that I work in is a small med/surg with a smaller OB dept. The c.n.a's can tell the difference in the nurses that have been aids and those who just went to school. With out any first hand knowledge of basic patient care. Now I am rambling and so enough said.
I am starting nursing school in the fall and have been a CNA for almost 3 months. I really am glad that I chose to do the CNA work first. I wasn't totally sure if I wanted to go the route of nursing, however, after working as a CNA I feel as though it has confirmed my career choice. I have gaiend confidence with myself, as well as my ability to deal with the medical profession. I feel as though my experience as a server prepared my for my work as a CNA, in that I was responsible for meeting the needs of multiple individuals. I had to learn to prioritize, and that has been useful in answering call lights and determining which patient needs the most care first. I feel as though the CNA work will help prepare me for the job duties of a nurse, as well as give me insight to the CNA's I will be working with in my future career!
Kay28
122 Posts
I have completed a CNA/HHA course through the local hospital and the night school in my town. I am now done with my course and all I left to do is take the red cross test to become certified in the state of massachussetts. Does anyone know what kind of identification they will accept to allow you to take the test? I am only 16 so I dont have a drivers license and when I called the testing office they were very unsure about wheather or not a learners permit would be acccepted. Anyone know? Thank you!!!