cna, to be or not to be.

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I finally after a year of being out of school decided on a plan. I applied to a LPN program, I take my pre-entrance test May 7th (the program i'm applying to stopped giving the NET and started with the WorkKeys test.) upon signing my paperwork, my advisor informed me the class filled up that afternoon so i'd have to wait until Fall 09 to begin the program.

I felt defeated, but I knew this was to be expected. So now i'm trying to figure out what to do with my life, to bypass the year i'm going to have to wait. I currently work in Retail, which I thought was for me, only to find out I really can't do it anymore. Plus the money isn't very good, I know nurse aids don't make much money, but I can't survive on $400 a month. My best friend is a stna/cna, although she is totally advising me aganist it, my school advisor and some nice people here have really convinced me to become a cna. I've talked to my Mom and she's agreed to pay for my classes come June.

I'm worried because i'm not sure I can handle BM or vomiting. I know it's going to take some time getting used too. I eventually wanna work with children/teenagers, for some odd reason, the idea of BMs or vomiting with them don't bother me. Just with the elderly. I'm kind of in a sticky situation right now, because I really do wanna do the cna training, but i'm really worried that I won't be able to handle these simple things with the elderly. It was something I was concerned about with being an LPN but I was hoping maybe I could find something outside of LTC. But for a cna/stna in this area all that is available is LTC or assisted living.

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Specializes in PCT - ER, Ortho, Neuro, Med-Surg.

Truth - you are correct that CNAs don't make much money and that much of their job involves cleaning up bodily fluids. It is stinky and gross and overwhelming a lot of the time.

It's also magical if you truly care about taking care of other people, especially those who need it the most, like the elderly.

I say give it a try and don't let anyone else define how you see the CNA role, including your friend who is advising you against it. Perhaps it is time for her to step away from taking care of sick people if she can't recommend it to others. If you want to be a nurse one day, working as a CNA is a good way to determine if direct patient care is for you.

Good luck!

:)

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

I was worried about the same thing before I started working as an assistant. I had never had to clean up someone elses vomit or urine before, and I was petrified that it would drive me away from the profession. My advice is to just get over it. During my orientation, I asked my preceptor to let me assist in cleaning up any BM's or vomit so I would get used to it. Just jump right in and get your hands dirty (wear gloves, get those dirty :nuke:) and you'll be ok. If it really bothers you, perhaps your can transfer to another unit like rehab or something. Good luck!

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Specializes in CNA/Nursing Student.

I got my certification as a CNA last semester because I wanted to get some experience before starting nursing school this fall. I also wanted to make sure that I could handle working in healthcare. I think that doing the CNA course was definitely a good choice because it does help prepare you for nursing. And as for cleaning up after the patients, I was also really nervous at first, but once you're actually doing it you realise that you're working with an actual person and you just get over it. It might never be pleasant, but you do get over it. Good luck!

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CNAs are very important people who do very important jobs but it is not fun most of the time. I've been a CNA in a hospital for about 3 months now and I LOVE talking and joking with patients and being able to help them, but I really really really don't like BM. I'm a nursing student and this job has given me loads of experience and I'm so much more comfortable with patients than I used to be. I would advise you to become a CNA just for the experience and they pay isn't that bad (for me). I was making $9/hour at a large retail store working 20 hours a week and now I'm making $12.25/hour working up to 48 hours a week (I'm only spending about an hour per week in class right now), but this is at a hospital not a LTC facility. My hospital is also one of the lowest paying hospitals in the region. Granted the wages in here southern California are generally higher than most states.

I also would advise you to work night shift if possible. Its much quieter. Patients sleep most of the time, resulting in fewer BMs and vomit. You also get paid more :D and I get about 2-3 hours a night to work on some homework. Day shift will keep you running around all day long! (at least thats how it is here)

Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

I would say become a CNA. It gives you an excellent idea of what nurses do and go through. At sometime in your training you are going to running to adult puke and poop, so you might as well find a way to get used to it now.

I think everyone is scared about bodily fluids when they first start as a CNA, as a lot of people have said the first couple times you do cleaning it's a little uncomfortable, but after a few times it really does become second nature and not a big deal.

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In Idaho there is 80 hrs. of classroom instruction and 40 hrs. of onsite clinical experience. This is a great way to "get your feet wet" find out if you can handle it.

Everyone has the same concerns that you have. With the training, you can help aging family members or friends that need help after being in the hospital. You are usually very busy and don't have much time to dwell on it. And the pleasure of caring for someone that needs your help soon outweights the occassional odors. Go for it!

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There are so many fantastic things to learn as a CNA, such as watching how experienced nurses handle difficult people and diffuse situations (the one's that can, anyway). How to handle yourself as a healthcare provider can make or break your day/ week/ month. Learn from the ones you admire

The observations you make can't be taught in a program....it's real life. That's my take on it. You're still working on your education as a CNA and will have a few things crossed off the learning curve as you become an LPN.

About the bodily fluids issue, that never goes away in nursing. Most LPN's and RN's jump right in if need be (I work with some great people). I find it easier to seperate myself from the task if I concentrate on dignity and compassion - like I would like to be treated if the shoe was on the other foot, and it may be one day. The first "thank you" I received for administering peri care caught me off guard. It really made me think and changed my attitude. I'm just helping people who need help.

But, there are some days....

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Hi

I think if you want to be a cna go for it!!!

I'm studying bachelor of nursing at uni (to become a rn) and a little over a month ago I got a AIN (assistant nurse) job in a nursing home. I know I'm doing the right degree at uni, and I love my job.

At first I wondered how I would go with bodily fluids, but honestly after a few times doing it, you don't even think of it as vomit or bm, you just think about helping your patient.

Zoe:nurse:

p.s sorry for the different terms, I'm pretty sure CNA is the same as AIN here, but unsure what RN ='s with the us system.

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Specializes in Trauma, ICU, CCU.

I LOVE :heartbeat LOVE :heartbeat LOVE:heartbeat being a CNA. It's sad that your friend is advisitng you against it! She should be your biggest supporter! I have been a CNA now since 1999 when I graduated High school. I got a degree in Literature, so I don't consider myself un-educated...and my educated opinion is that "being a CNA is what you make of it". If you want it to just be cleaning up BM and fluids...that really is all it will be. But to me it is so much more! I love that as a CNA I get to spend more time with my patients than some of the RN's do. I love that in embarassing, smelly, and akward situations, because I am there assuring them it's alright...that sometimes those situations are less embarassing, smelly, and akward.

I've developed a somewhat weird love of ostomies...I think they're the neatest little things...and I find myself often "hoping" a patient will vomit that icky stuff out of their stomach so they can feel better and get some sleep! At least once a day I hope to say! Wow! That's great to get that stuff out of you! You'll feel MUCH better now!:yeah:

I know it sounds horrible...but put yourself in their shoes...I try to make my patients SUPER comfortable...there's nothing more rewarding than giving a toasty warmed blanket to someone who needs a nice warm "nesty" to be snuggled in...and nothing better than getting a hug from a pt. on their way home.

You should definitely do it. Don't have any regrets in life...try it...and least you won't regret NOT trying it. And remember...you WILL make someone feel better every day at work...how rewarding is that? I betcha retail can't do that!

Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

I also would like to say go for it!

About two years ago, my sister took a CNA class & quit the first day of her employment she thought it was so disgusting.

Then, I decided I wanted to go to nursing school & wanted some experience beforehand & my mom offered to pay for the class.

Even if you take the class & decide afterwards its not for you, you still wont be wondering "what if?".. youll know!

But like the other posters said, though by about 4pm on my 12 hour shift, Im dying to go home & just SLEEP! I do love my patients so much & I love my job :)

I work in an Alzheimer's unit & its different than the rehab units we have in our skilled nursing facility. We get to spend more time with the patients caring for them & getting to know them & they are AWESOME people.. Just listening to them is amazing..

Also, about the bodily fluids- That was my number one fear going into it, and now, its just part of the job.. Its really really not that bad. You take them to poop, clean em up, and its done! Five minutes of pain & you feel better that your patient is feeing better!

Well, let us know what you decide & good luck!!

Laura

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