CNA's: Please Read

ellaballet · Jan 2, 2014

Yes you do have the option of working nights, where I work you can apply for 7-3, 3-11, 11 pm-7 am. Full time, part time, or per diem. I was full time (40 hours - 5 days a week including every other weekend). I believe part time is 24 hours at most places which is 3 days a week every other weekend. But that will change if your facility does 12 hour shifts. Currently I'm per diem, which is as needed. I have to pick a minimum 2 weekdays and 1 full weekend a month to work. If they're understaffed or someone calls out I come in, otherwise I get called and told to stay home.

School and training was fairly easy. I did a 4 week class, 9 AM-2 PM 5 days a week for the first three, and then the last week was clinicals every day from 7-3. Material is mostly common sense, class was kind of long and boring but its a quick program.

While it is a really physical job you don't need to be a body builder to do the work. I'm fairly small, I never lift a heavy patient by myself. I've gotten way stronger from work as well.

I do love what I do, it can be really demanding and kind of icky at times but it is rewarding. I worked full time as a CNA for a year and a half before I started school.

kalengen · Jan 2, 2014

As a CNA you can work 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift. The times of the shifts all depend on the facility that you are working at. The facility I work at it can be 6-2, 2-10, and 10-6. I am full time so I work 5 days a week and every other weekend.

CNA class is VERY easy and common sense. It is really boring because the classes are so long but it flew by. Just make sure you practice your skills because that is the biggest part of the test, the state written test was a piece of cake!

As for being strong, yeah you definitely need to be able to support someone but honestly most of the muscle you use is in your legs but as you work you definitely become stronger!

I personally love my job. I was born to be in the nursing field and I LOVE my residents so much. It is such an amazing and rewarding job.

Class is very specific but you pick up your own ways of doing things and work becomes a breeze. The biggest thing about being a CNA is just get to know your residents!!!

GOODLUCK IN EVERYTHING YOU DO AND HAPPY NEW YEAR :)

Mewsin · Jan 2, 2014

I work nights only. I can't do it while I'm in nursing school though, just on breaks. I think if our night shift was shorter I could but the 12s would leave me too tired for school.

ali.nystrom · Jan 3, 2014

Usually as a CNA there are 3 shifts-- Days (7-3), Evening (3-11), or night (11-7). So yes, nights are definitely and option. Also, care facilities often have you work only every other weekend--so you get some weekends off!

I only work part time--so I work every other weekend and then pick of shifts when they need me.

And no, you do not need to be strong. I am a little person (5'3 and 120 pounds) and I can lift most people at my facility. There are always people you can ask to help you (usually). If you don't feel comfortable lifting a patient by yourself then ask for help. Its all about learning the correct body mechanics for lifting--so you don't need to be super strong. I am not and I do just fine!

My training was very easy. It was only one month. Two weeks of in class lecture and then 2 weeks of clinical. Not hard at all. I felt like it is a lot of common sense. Just have to remember the skills the state way to pass the test. I don't feel that you learn anything in clinical. I learned most of my skills from after I started working in a facility.

I really do love my job. It has taught me a lot about the healthcare field. I love working under my nurses--they teach me a lot every day. It takes patience--a lot of it.I think that being a CNA will really help you out if you are planning on going to nursing school. It gets a lot of the basic patient care skills out of the way. When other students are focusing on how to do a bed bath or take vitals--you will already have those skills mastered.

dreams2banurse · Jan 3, 2014

I have been a CNA for almost a year. I work in a Tele unit at a hospital and our CNAs can work day or night shift. I have worked full time 12 hour night shifts since June. I am starting Nursing school in 2 weeks so I will switch to POOL and only work 1 12 hr shift a week because FT nights will be too hard during nursing school. School was easy I went to an 8 week evening program and worked 60 hours a week. Just practice the skills and you'll be fine. I am also a petite female and do just fine. It is sometimes physically demanding but generally if I need help I will just ask someone. I love it!! Its really good experience.

Glycerine82, LPN · Jan 4, 2014

You don't have to be "strong", but you have to use your muscles. I've seen girls who were 5 foot nothing pick up grown men. You have to learn the different body mechanics and ways of doing things safely. The classes are very easy. Its usually a certain number of hours to complete a class. In my state this can be done in 4 weeks of 8 hour days or in 6 months of a couple days a week.

I love what I do and I would do it forever if I could pay the bills. That being said, you MUST take care of yourself or you'll be retired before you start.

Yes, there is always an option of working nights. I am on LOA right now, but I was working 3 12 hour shifts a week, sometimes more.

DazzlingDivaBSN,RN · Jan 5, 2014

Yes you can work nights, if that is what you prefer. I was PRN/Part-time during school semesters working about 8-24 hours/week (depending on how busy my week was) and during breaks I picked however many shifts I felt comfortable working. My schooling was fairly easy. I took an 8 week summer course at the community college in between spring and summer semesters at my university. I am also fairly petite and have built stamina ans strength in my legs, arms and back. It may be difficult and tiring at first, but if you stick with it, you will be able to handle many patients on your own. But remember to know your limits and be willing to ask for help when needed and take special care to protect your back, its your money maker. I do love what I do, especially the special moments with patients and appreciate all the knowledge, advice and stories I have gained from working with them. I am glad I got to see what I would be getting myself into before I fully committed to my nursing program and graduated.

SirenoftheSea · Jan 6, 2014

Thank you all for the wonderful, informative responses! I'm still undecided on what to do at this point, but you all have been so helpful. I think one of the things that really bothers me is the pay. CNA's just aren't paid enough for all that they have to do. Though I wouldn't be doing it forever I suppose; I really just want the experience. Ugh, decisions.

TurtleCat · Jan 6, 2014

~ Do CNA's have the option of working nights?

Yup! CNA schedules tend to be very flexible, and many nursing homes need help filling an 11-7 shift. At the place I'm currently at, I work a 7p-7a, overnight, shift. I find I like working nights, they can be slower-paced, quieter and less stressful. Also, you may get more quality time to spend with patients.

~ How many hours/days a week do you generally work?

Depends on how short-staffed they are and if they need me to come in and fill a shift... but generally, 36 hours a week, 3 12's.

~ What was school/training like?

Easy peasy! I breezed through the class and training. Now the job is another story... the job can be hard at times. But worth it!

~ Do you have to be really strong? I keep reading that you need to possess physical strength. I'm a petite woman...

Hrm, not strong per se, although that does help, but it is important that you know how to use proper body mechanics and when to seek help. For reference, I'm a 5'1, petite woman with no muscle to speak of, and I'm a CNA.

~ Do you enjoy what you do?

Yup! Love working with the elderly. Find it very fulfilling.

duskyjewel · Jan 8, 2014

~ Do CNA's have the option of working nights?

I've never worked anything but nights, and I work 12 hour shifts. I like it because I work three days a week, but it's still full time.

~ How many hours/days a week do you generally work?

three 12s, 36 hours a week

~ What was school/training like?

Easy peasy. I found it to be mostly common sense and stuff that was in the general knowledge base for a reasonably well-informed American. However, I should also say that I was 36 when I got trained and that I consume more news and read more than the average. I did the unit tests before I ever read the chapters and found I already knew 75-80% of the answers, and that where I really needed to concentrate was the abbreviations and technical medical info like blood pressures, respiratory rates, etc. My biggest challenge was when it came time to actually care for real people, but once I jumped in and did it, it was fine.

~ Do you have to be really strong? I keep reading that you need to possess physical strength. I'm a petite woman...

Not necessarily great strength, but physical fitness will help you a great deal. Learning and practicing proper body mechanics will lessen your chance of injury.

~ Do you enjoy what you do?

When I worked in the hospital, I really didn't. They constantly ran us short of staff and I had too many patients to really take any time to care for them. I had a list of tasks I had to do TO people, and I hated it. Since I switched to hospice, I actually do enjoy my work most of the time. I have the time to talk to people, or even just to slow down and be thorough and actually caring. Plus, it honestly is a special breed that works in hospice, and the vast majority of my co-workers are awesome people.