CNA pre-req class- really unsure about it

[Busia]

Has anyone ever been super unsure about taking the CNA course? I know I definitely do not want to work as a CNA, and am only taking the course because I have to as a pre-req for the LPN program. I know so many that plan on working part time as a CNA while finishing up their general ed's and throughout the LPN program, but I know I can't do it. I don't start the class until mid June, but I'm so nervous. 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? Is there anyone else that has felt this way about CNA duties? 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, and am not sure how I will make it through the class!

[mncna08]

yes,you can pretty much work anywhere. some hospitals will even pay for all of your schooling as well. i think most places want you to be cpr certafied, you do lots of stuff at hospitals im sure, vitals, cath care, bed baths lots im sure. you should just google and look up some of the aspects of all the jobs you can get.

[Busia]

CNAs in maternal newborn care for the mother, too. They may perform tasks like assisting a mother up to the bathroom, shower, or for a sitz bath. They might bring needed personal items like water pitchers, juice, remove food trays after meals, change bed linens. They can transport baby to and from the nursery, might be trained to perform tasks like the hearing screens or the heel stick for the metabolic screens, and yes, sometimes they get to hold and feed the baby. But that's only a very small part of a CNA's job in this setting.

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I've had three kids, and I was always so grateful to the person doing these things for me and the baby after delivery. I never knew those were CNA's. I guess I never really looked at people's tags to see what their titles were, and just assumed they were all nurses. I've thought that would be a nice job, to help with these things after delivery, but had no idea that those were CNA's! Thanks for enlightening me!

[Busia]

yes,you can pretty much work anywhere. some hospitals will even pay for all of your schooling as well. i think most places want you to be cpr certafied, you do lots of stuff at hospitals im sure, vitals, cath care, bed baths lots im sure. you should just google and look up some of the aspects of all the jobs you can get.

Being CPR and First Aid certified were both requirements for the LPN program as well. I've done the First Aid class already, and have the CPR class next month.

[V9611]

Well, i have 3 kids as well, (including twins)..all under age 6...:redbeathe:redbeathe:redbeathe. and that experience is what made me want to get into the field... My goal is to be a labor and delivery nurse.. but hopefull i can get a job at the hospital as a CNA first, then they will help me pay for nursing school....but i have alot of work to do before i get there....and to get a job at a hospital, you usually need at least 6 months of experience caring for patients.

[Busia]

My oldest is 7. I love everything about L & D and postpartum. My kids' births were so exciting to me (didn't care for the whole being pregnant part, but labor and delivery were great!), it would be wonderful to someday find a job in that area. Right now I'm thinking after school I would like to work in a clinic in OB/GYN.

[V9611]

That sounds great... I was either going to take the CNA class and try to go on to be an RN or LVN or Try to get into ultrasound, sonography ...but the wait is so long now at the Community College for those classes, so i figured, get my CNA license, work in the meantime, while getting the experience I will need to get into a hospital. ...I just hope that i am able to balance, the kids, school, sports, working, and my school.....all at the same time...:sstrs:

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

I'm sorry, I have read and re-read my first post, and can't for the life of me find where I said that. I apologize if I have offended you or anyone else by posting in this forum. I assumed that there would be people in here that are either taking the CNA class now or soon as just a pre-req, since it seems that just about every state has that as a requirement for any LPN program. I figured this would be a good place to post since every single person here either has or will be taking this class. Since this forum is under the "student" heading and not the "specialty" heading, I didn't realize this forum was only for people employed as CNA's. I will make sure to use the correct forums in the future.

"I know I definitely do not want to work as a CNA... If I'm pretty sure I won't like the messy and personal parts of the CNA duties."

You didn't offend me; I just thought your question was stupid. Isn't the first year of most nursing programs, especially LPN, direct care, CNA stuff?

I also wasn't trying to nitpick about the forums. This is the only CNA forum on this site but I wanted to point out that you got the answers you did because most, if not all, frequent posters in this section are working CNAs.

[nkara, CNA]

um.. if you don't want to take the CNA class and do that type of work then why are you becoming a nurse? that's part of the job.

[Definingmyfuture]

Can you feel the love on this thread LOL

I'm in the same boat, except I am waiting on the RN program. I think some people on this thread are rude and bitter:no:. Makes you question becoming a CNA dosen't it? some of these people don't seem so kind and passionate either. anyway I question how I am going to feel when I start doing CNA work(I start class in July) but I want to do it while I am nursing school so I can know what to expect and how it feels to me.

You never said anything offensive IMHO, You were very honest and you stated very clearly how you respected CNA's, some people just don't have enough sense to read the posts correctly.

I wish you the best of luck!!:icon_hug:

[V9611]

Sorry, but I read all the posts made, and I just dont get how someone could want to be an RN or LPN and NOT KNOW if they can actually TAKE CARE of a patient.... What would actually make you want to be in this field at all??? I'm sure alot of us on here, thought that people would HAVE ENOUGH SENSE to know that Nursing, would deal with TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE..... and i think alot of us were really nice about it, but,... I think both of you will benefit from taking the CNA class, Good luck in nursing school!!!:igtsyt:

not passionate??? You're the one who want's to be a nurse, but is questioning weather or not she can wipe a tush, or bathe a patient, you will be doing alot worse than that!

[Busia]

I was going to respond, but I think some of you have beat this dead horse enough, let it go!

[V9611]

Sorry Busia, I just couldn't help myself, I just got mad at some comments that were made, (not by you):flwrhrts: