Career CNA's... What do you think?

leenak · May 18, 2012

I don't know if its snobbish but your reality is not the reality of others. Although there are people with obstacles, some of them may have kids, may be single parents, may be taking care of a sick relative, etc etc and may not have the support or believe they have the support to go to school. Others may not have the aptitude or believe they don't have the aptitude. Others may just not have the drive. Others may just hate school and it even may be a mix of other factors like not ever learning proper studying skills or struggling through specific subjects, etc. It may be a mix of all of the above as well.

So I say do what you want to do, encourage others where you can but understand that some people will be career CNAs.

Cali_Nurse_209 · May 20, 2012

I'm a CNA in a psych facility and I can understand where your are coming from. I work with CNAs who complain and act as if they hate their job. When they found out I was applying to nursing school they had so many discouraging comments. If a person wants to be a CNA forever so be it but don't try and bring me down for wanting to advance. I don't think I'm better than my co workers but I have goals. I understand people have kids and responsibilities but if you want to advance and provide a better living you will go back to school, No Excuses. I know students with families, full and part time jobs who are pursuing nursing so it can be done.

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · May 20, 2012

I agree that there's nothing wrong with being a career CNA. In fact, I know a CNA who has been one in the same facility for over 40 years and claims she makes more than the nurses (whether she's streching the truth about her pay I don't know--it's none of my business anyway). For me personally, the only thing good about being a CNA was using it to get into nursing school as it was a requirement for entrance into the program. I knew one week into working as a CNA that I had to become a nurse because I wanted more responsibility in caring for my patients and I was tired of working alongside other CNA's that were hateful not only to their coworkers, but to the patients as well. I still keep my CNA license active, though.

Stephalump · May 20, 2012

The CNAs at the nursing home I worked at during clinicals really destroyed my desire to ever be a part of the profession. I don't know how to explain it...they were just really harsh. I was not at all a fan of the environment to begin with, so the bad attitudes around me made it worse. There were days my husband literally had to push me out the door to get me there.

Intellectually, I knew it wasn't representative of everyone and every job, but it was a really bad introduction to the field!

caliotter3 · May 20, 2012

I once met a woman who had tried LVN school but could not complete it. She thought the academic requirements were too high for her. I told her that I thought she was an excellent CNA but she should have tried to get help to complete school. She had just given up. Unfortunately, a person can not support a family on CNA pay or else there would be more people choosing to be a career CNA. Personally, I did not care for the majority of the negative attitudes I found when I worked as a CNA. I decided I could not tolerate that for the rest of my working life, so I chose to move up the ladder. Of course, I found that there are also nurses with less than stellar work habits and attitudes to match, but it is easier to distance oneself from them.

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 20, 2012

I definitely feel the negativity from the CNA's. No one smiles, no one seems like they enjoy what they do. Ok.. maybe wiping butts isn't something to smile about (LOL). I try to be positive bc i know the residents can sense that if don't want to be there or not. True, some CNA's lack the support team needed to go back to school, but others are just...UGH! My positive energy is met with nasty looks, and when i study i get snide remarks. it makes me sad to go to work sometimes.

Glenna, LPN · May 21, 2012

When I used to work as a CNA the nurses were always happy to see me come on shift. I really enjoyed what I did and I would make funny cracks about myself wipping butts. Really doesn't bother me. Heck, I might be on the other side someday. What would drive me crazy was that many of my co-workers didn't care for our res. the way I did. I remember not liking what was going on, on the unit and I wanted to quit and the DNS said that I wasn't going to...and I got a 1.50 raise. Haha. I knew I couldn't physically do this work forever. I wanted to be able to do more for people.

I also find nothing wrong with making a career out of being a CNA. Like if you got your CNA 2 and find yourself working at the hospital as an older person, that's not to bad. Less stress on your back and I think more exciting. But that is just me. I've also been one of those kind of people, if I'm not happy where I'm at...what can I do to fix it? Some people do matter what they do they won't be happy. I just wish that when they come to work, they leave their bad vibes at the door. We are here for the patients/res. it is not about us at work, it is about them and taking care of them. That extra hug and kiss towards the people you take care of can make all the difference in the world for just one person.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

reguardless of what you do or where you work EVERY job I've had has 3 types of workers:

1. those who don't care and quit quickly maybe in a month or 2 job hoping all the time in a sideways irratic career pattern.

2. those who just remain stuck in their position because they want to or have not other option or just have no drive.

3. those who seek advancement and growth in their career and use each job as a stepping stone to get further up.

I think I've been all three at one point in time or another. At my current job, which has nothing to do with nursing, noone knows what my plans are but 1 person whom I trust. I keep my ambitions to myself for just the reason you mention. People get snobbish and jealous all the time because people trying to make something of themselves. All they know is I got my AA and I am going to school, when they ask what for? I reply "ïf i tell you I'd have to kill you" lol.