CNA pre-req class- really unsure about it

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · May 11, 2009

"If I'm pretty sure I won't like the messy and personal parts of the CNA duties, am I crazy to think I will be ok working as an LPN?"

yes

Busia · May 11, 2009

Seeing as I would like to work in a clinic, I just don't see where the CNA duties I am uneasy about doing would typically apply in a clinic setting. IMO, they are completely different jobs?

StephMT · May 11, 2009

Actually, it may not bother you as much as you think. My mom bugged me and bugged me years ago to get my CNA. I didn't want any part of it, thought my stomach couldn't handle it. I ended up taking the CNA and absolutely loved it. You do get used to it over time, but I don't know that you'll see a whole lot while in the CNA program and doing clinicals. I think you'll be okay. Just keep reminding yourself that you're going to work in a clinic someday and that will help you get through it.

Busia · May 11, 2009

I also wondered how much of it I would actually be doing in clinicals. Our whole class is only two weeks long, and I think only four full days of that are clinicals. I'm thankful for that! I'm so nervous about the class, but also excited to be able to soon have one more thing crossed off my to-do list!

StephMT · May 11, 2009

Wow! That's great! You will do fine. Good luck!

Misslady113 · May 11, 2009

Busia, I'm going to be blunt and honest. :twocents: I believe that the number 1 reason a person should become a nurse, is because they have compassion and understanding in their hearts for other people and they sincerely love to help. When you go into the field with that, then you are more likely to be able to endure the difficulties that come along with it. When you have care in your heart, then changing a diaper or getting to know someone personally isnt a terrible thing, it's just part of the job, and you find a way to deal with it the best way you can.

I don't know the reasons why you want to become a nurse, but if your going into it just for job stability or money, then good luck. It doesnt mean you have to be a CNA, but the things that CNA's do are the things that nurses do. Are you going to be one of those nurses that feel they don't have to do the "dirty" work of the job?? You say your going to work in a clinic... how do you know that?? And if you do get that job, how do you know you won't lose it, or get offered a better position in a hospital, where you have to do the "dirty" work? Don't just go into nursing thinking that things will just be one way, cause reality isn't that way. Know what your getting yourself into and don't go in there with a jaded idea of how you think things will be, or you may end up being one of those nurses who realized they can't handle the job.

Being a CNA is hard, dirty work. But starting off at the bottom rung of the ladder is sometimes the best way to move sucessfully to the top. And when you move up, you really get to appreciate those beneath you. The decision is up to you. I know being a CNA is hard for some, and it may not be for you if you think its not. I just ask that you dont' go into nursing thinking that you will never have to wipe an a** or do things that you feel uncomfortable with, cause you may be in for a real surprise. Research the pros and cons of the job, and be prepared to go through any of them. Good luck to you on your journey.

mncna08 · May 11, 2009

C.N.A's do more than wipe tooshies!!!! :nono: i think it makes no sense to go become an lpn when you cant even take the thought of wiping someone. I am glad that i became a c.n.a. I have learned so much this past year ,things that will only help me in the long run. Team work, people skills, the ability to handle stressful situations,vitals, wound care, feed, toilet, showers, your basic cares that i think would only make sense to be familar with. Even if c.n.a's are at the "bottom" of the chain, we play a very important role in peoples lives. I hope you wont be the type to expect someone else to do the dirty work when able, simply because of a title. Either way, i wish you the best with everything.

Busia · May 11, 2009

Wow, you guys are really harsh and quick to judge. I NEVER said I thought any less of a CNA for the job they do. I believe my exact words were " I have so much respect for those of you that are CNA's, I just don't think I'm cut out for that type of work". I have a hard time dealing with my own grandmother's aging, fraility and dementia, and I am pretty sure that is not the area I want to work in. There are many many more jobs in the medical field that don't deal with those things on a regular basis. I NEVER said I wouldn't do them, or that I would have a problem doing the dirty work when needed, I just said I doing believe I'm cut out for doing it on a regular basis.

You ask why I want to become a nurse? No, it is not for the money or job security. Where I live, neither is a given. It's because when I was a teenager, I watched the struggles my family went through when my sister was born at 25 weeks and stayed in NICU for three months. It's because I had so much admiration for the nurses that cared for her, and was greatful for all they did to save her. She almost died three times while in NICU, and the baby boy across from her that was born the same day and with less complications did die while we were up there visiting my sister. No, I do not want to be a NICU nurse, it scares me. No, I do not want to be a CNA, I'm afraid I will hurt someone while manipulating them around to do the things that need to be done. It doesn't make me any less compassionate than anyone else. I bet none of you can say you would want to work in every single area in the medical field. I'm sure you all have certain areas that you would prefer not to work in for one reason or another. Does that make YOU any less compassionate? I doubt it.

mncna08 · May 11, 2009

I was not trying to attack you at all. i was just saying that it sounds kinda silly to say you cant handle the personal and messy parts of doing cna work yet your going into that general field, did that make sense? its just the way i took it.Everybody has their own reason for becoming a nurse and thats thier business not mine.I understand what you mean when you say that you could not do it on a regular basis or work in that enviroment.it is not for everyone. I was just trying to say you can learn some valuable things from being a c.n.a. its a pre-req for a reason know what i mean? either way a two week class sounds like a breeze, it will go by quick and before you know it you will be certified through your state.good luck

Busia · May 11, 2009

If anything, I think this thread has made me think a bit more and I've been able to rationalize and answer my own question. Thank you for your input, both good and bad. I know can handle it, I'm just worried about the fast pace with the elderly. I've watched in my grandma's home how quickly the CNA's do things, and I just can't see myself being able to do these things without it being uncomfortable to the patient. I know you learn it over time, but it all seems very awkward to me and in a class as short at two weeks with only four days of clinicals, one can't possibly find a comfort level. And if I am uncomfortable and awkward at it, I can't see that being pleasant for the patient either. It's definitely not that I have a problem with the dirty work, it's just that for various reasons there are other areas that interest me and I'd like to work in those areas if possible and not as a CNA. I do think there's a good reason that this class is a pre-req, I get that and agree with it. I'm just nervous about the class is all.

mncna08 · May 11, 2009

Oh i wouldnt worry to much about it, you will do fine. you will be surprised how fast you get things down and are able to do things. when i had my cna class i only had three days of clinicals, so i was kind of akward for a couple days until i got the hang of it. it also depends where you work as well, it can take a lil bit but once you know someones routine its breeze!

i think the best time to learn something is when you are out of your comfort zone. another thing is to is even if older people tend to be more finneky (spelling?) some of them are very easy to deal with and are very well mannered. :) either way! good luck and post on how your class goes! :lol2: