CNA job types

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 4, 2004

Depends on what specifically that your CNA training included as to what you can get into. I work at a hospital, but i also have advanced traning that allows me to do more than pt. care.

In response to those that refer to CNAs as "butt wipers", I kindly remind them that "some day you might need someone like me to do just that for you. Hopefully your viewpoint of CNAs will change by then".

Katnip, RN · Feb 4, 2004

Mmmm. I have a BSN among other things, and I wipe butts too.

Don't let a few ignorant, narrow-mnded people stop you from pursuing a career that you love.

ktwlpn, LPN · Feb 4, 2004

Originally posted by sherichance
I have a question for anyone who is a CNA. Most people say that CNA's are the bottom of the barrel. I have even heard them called....in nicer terms...."butt wipers". What areas can you go into?

It is a great way to make a living-and a good way to get some exposure in the medical field and decide if you want to go into nursing...It also is very rewarding.You can work in a hospital or a nursing home,home care or a free standing clinic.There are also assisted living facilities and group homes.You can work with the elderly or children or anything in between....My facility employs aides in our clinic(they are responsible for all doctors appointments-transportation,consent forms etc) We also have a group of aides in our restorative training program-they work in teams and walk or excercise select residents through the day....Your choices are really limitless when you are a good certified nursing assistant......

ADNRN · Feb 4, 2004

I'm an aid, and on the floor where I work I draw the blood for lab tests and I also do 12-lead EKGs. And I do perineal care.

There is great glory in being a good CNA. I only make about 9 dollars an hour though. I am graduating nursing school in May and my CNA certification expires in Dec. I suppose I won't be renewing it. But I could have never been a nurse without first being an aid. I know that, even now.

onesunniegal · Feb 9, 2004

:p

Hi,

Currently I am working as a CNA, while completing my pre-reqs for Nursing. I work in LTC. Yeah, there are parts of the jobs that includes perineal care, what some others may term as "butt wiping". I have found that if you get in there and do your part, someone will take you under their wings and that is priceless. I have learned a TON of stuff from my nurses. I am sure this will help me in ways I can't even imagine once I am in the program.

Good luck!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2004

I've never heard them referred that way. Except when I hear them complain "all I am is a butt wiper". A good CNA is worth their weight in gold and then some. I couldn't perform my job without their diligent help. They are a valuable part of the team. Shame on anyone who makes them feel less than that.

My experience when I was a CNA was a positive one. I worked my butt off and enjoyed the patient contact and the nurses appreciated the help, even if I did have to wipe a lot of butts. :) (I still wipe a lot of butts now as a Charge RN. Someone's gotta do it, don't want no stank butts on my shift. :roll )

FutureRNMichael · Feb 9, 2004

I just recently passed a CNA course and am beggining to find out the chances avalible.

Most work LTC(IE-Nursing Home) but from what I can gather CNA's are needed everywhere! Psych,Med Surg,Critical Care,Doctor's Office's/Clinic's...etc,etc!

Headhurt, ADN · Feb 9, 2004

I started out as a CNA, then became certified to pass meds. Within a couple of years, they let me charge an ambulatory Alzheimers unit. I left that job to start all over again at a hospital on an orthopedic floor, and I have been there for the past 8 years. I will graduate nursing school this May (God willing.)

In my current job, I draw lab, set up traction, do patient care, take off doctor's orders, and a myriad of other things that the RN's are usually too swamped to do. Some do EKG's...it just depends on what area you are working in. I've learned TONS from this job. I think my experiences as a CNA will help make me a better nurse.

CNA's are more than just wipers of the butt...even though some patients apparently didn't get that memo. I don't know how many times a patient has wanted me to wipe their butt just because that is what I am "paid to do"...not because they couldn't do it themselves. I suppose it's a dumb power thing. And no...I never wipe their butt in that case. I just tell them that I am paid to help them in their recovery, and that first step is reaching that hand down their and wipe away. Don't forget to go from front to back! It's like refusing, but not really saying no.

I have no problems with the folks that actually need the help (and they are usually embarassed about it). A small part of the CNA job is to help the patient not feel bad about about needing that helping hand.:)

Good luck!

sabRN2b05, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2004

Does anyone know of any way to get your CNA licensure without actually having to take a CNA course? I've heard before that when you've had a semester of nursing school (i'm currently in my second semester of an ADN program) then you are qualified to register to take the CNA licensure exam. I live in Mississippi, but work in Louisiana. Any advice from those who live in either state as to who I should contact? I could have swore that someone (an instructor) at the school I attend told me that I could apply to take the CNA test. However, when I called the MS State Dept of Health, they had no idea what the h*ll I was talking about!! Any advice would be appreciated!!