CNA as a career?

[zcalla]

Is there anyone on this forum who plans to stay a CNA without moving on to nursing (LPN,RM,ect.)? Why is the CNA forum listed under "nursing student forums"?

Thanks!

[RJ_SOON2B_RN]

It is a rewarding career but usually is a good stepping stone for further medical degrees. I am torn between taking PTA or RN associates at Union County College in New Jersey. But the good thing is that, I work with my whole family and all of us are CNA's in a nursing home.

Took my training at Ace Healthcare Institute at Dover, NJ (Morris County)and from then on out I became a CNA and my parents decided to join since they're out of a job themselves. As long as your classes are fully accredited by the state, the employer will reimburse you.

Got reimbursed, state healthcare field licensed, job secured for a year and will count toward my clinical hours as I advance to my associate's. This is a good starting point but not a lifelong career per se in my opinion.

[northernguy]

I think the lack of respect thing people are talking about, especially for non nursing student CNAs, is more of a hospital thing than a LTC thing. In a hospital CNAs are often just RN helpers. In LTC being a CNA can be very difficult, but I think CNAs have more of an impact. The quality of the CNAs can pretty much make or break a LTC facility, and a facilitys reputation is largely based on the CNAs, that is definitely not the case with a hospital. As a result I think the RNs tend to have more respect for the CNAs in a LTC setting.