CNA for Young 19 Year old Male

[Chris1406z]

Hello everyone I have yet to start my CNA classes I plan on becoming A RN later and the. Eventually become a nurse anesthetist. I don't start my CNA classes until September. I wanted to know how it was like for everyone to start off as a CNA. (I have worked as a dietary aide in an assisted living for 3 years since I was 16) so I know all the residents. Also, is it better working in a long term care facility or hospital? In terms of pay, difficulty, etc

[I.C.UNurse]

Best of luck to you, I am a male nurse and start my C.N.A. class when I was only 16, so that was nerve-wrecking itself. "Knowing" the residents is one thing, actually taking care of a resident is a whole new ballpark. You must become comfortable with yourself and hold your emotions in when around residents. Do not mention anything about smells, looks or wounds. Watch your non-verbal language as well. You may not say anything inappropriate, but body language can be picked up very fast by patients. For clinicals just come in ready to learn all that you can. Do not shy away from any skill, jump in there and help out the preceptor C.N.A. for the first time and have them walk you through it the next time and you will be way more comfortable with the skill and be more proficient. And to your last statement, working in a nursing home is VERY different than working in a hospital as a C.N.A. If your goal is to become a CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist), you should work at a hospital to pick up on diseases, nursing skills, heart monitors, respiratory equipment, medications, surgeries, procedures, etc. Nursing homes are a nice place to work, but will not help out with your future job which will take a whole lot of critical thinking. Push yourself and ask as many questions as you can! Us nurses and other C.N.A.'s become worried when a new C.N.A. or student does not ask any questions or act they know everything already. Best of luck!