CNA training

RNDreamer · Mar 31, 2008

In my class, we practiced on each other, then went to the nursing home. I believe in NY, you need something like 30 hours of internship in order to be qualified to take the exam. I remember when you made the decision to quit school. Why don't you volunteer at a hospital and see how you like being around patients again, then you decide whether or not you want to take the plunge and become a CNA? Take care!

Hi!
Has anybody gone to school to become a CNA? Last year I was accepted into a nursing school and I dropped out after a month. I was a uncomfortable with the patient contact. I am normally shy so I was not shocked about this. I really want to become a nurse so after I finish up my BA I am planning to reapply to nursing schools. I want to get my certification for a nursing assistant so I can gain some experience working with patients.
My question is - do you actually go into healthcare settings or do you practice on yourselves?
Thank you

justme1972 · Mar 31, 2008

I'm going to be very, very honest with you.

If patient contact as an RN student flipped you out so much that you actually took the step to quit school....you want to think long and hard about your career choice....because I understand how you feel.

I understand your feelings...I have the same "hang up" with adult nursing....that is why I want to work with babies.

It makes me cringe to touch an adult for anything except vitals, I about died the first time I had to give a bath, and when I had to change an adult diaper on a man that was a DNR and severely dehydrated he peed and the odor was so strong I almost vomited.

However, the difference is...the patients have commented on how I seem to be a "natural" around them...that is because I can hide how I really feel about it. That is what you have to learn to do, and if you can't, you really need to re-think about becoming a nurse.

The patient is there to get well and doesn't need to be concerned about my hang up.

I personally, wish I could get over it...I really do...I was hoping that once I started working with patients that it would, but it didn't. I just thank God it didn't get worse.

coolpeach · Mar 31, 2008

I was a CNA back in my 20's (38 now and working on RN). I don't know how much has changed during that time, but when I was a CNA I had a lot of patient contact.

The RN's kind of managed things, gave injections, and started IV's. The LVN's passed out meds. The CNA' s me did everything else. I took vitals, bathed/showered, dressed, fed, cleaned up vomit, feces, urine, the patient, the bed and even had to remove impacted fecal matter from a patient's retum. When I say patient contact it was extreme.

If you dislike patient contact becoming a CNA is the wrong way to go.

aewelike · Apr 1, 2008

Hearing about your experience as a cna is really real, but I wanted to know how did you overcome doing some of the tasks? Did you just take a deep breath and just do?