Can Being a CNA Help You Decide If Nursing Is Right For You?

[Dexter72]

Hi,

I'm a 37 male who is looking for a career change and am seriously thinking about going to nursing school. I just wondered if becoming a CNA and working in a hospital would help me decide if nursing is for me. I know CNA and nursing are two different animals, but as it stands I really have no insight as to the day to day of nursing. I worked as a Phlebotomist for 2 years and really loved interacting with patients (which is why I am thinking about nursing as a career) but that is no where near the time and effort that nurses spend with patients not to mention all the other stuff they have to deal with. I guess I've read so many horror stories on the internet about how bad nursing is these days that I don't want to go in blindly and would like to see what I may be getting myself into before I head back to college. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

p.s. Do 37 year old, male CNA's even exist?

[ChicagoICU_RN]

it may....but honestly when i was getting my cna, i wanted a career change because i hated it soo much!! maybe it was the hospital i was i at or maybe i just didnt like being a cna in general.

That being said its going to be different for everyone...good luck!

[msmarshun]

to be straight up with you if that is where your heart is anything anyone says is not goning to steer you away.... sounds like you have your mind made up... I have been a cna for 15 years and I love it if it weren't for me changing my life style and kids I would continue with it but I am persuing my nursing as well the are,like with any other job, crap you have to put up with but hey its what makes you happy I say go for it and do the damn thang!!!....lol....good luck!!!!

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

I'm one of those people who thinks that nurses should start out in CNA/tech positions, for many reasons. I don't think that it will necessarily decide you or deter you from your choice, but it will give you an idea of the flow and familiarity with the hospital setting, and experience seeing nurses handle situations so that when you encounter them once you're licensed you'll have a wealth of examples to draw from, both good and bad.

[milwerica, MSN, APRN]

I think you should be a cna before you become a nurse because when you are a nurse you learn to respect what the cna's do

[imafostermom]

I think so. I teach a CNA program at the high school level and they are able to have certification at graduation. I wish they had this when I was in school.