Expectations

I can honestly say that I knew what I was getting into. My stepmom worked as an aide when I was younger, and I was familiar with the job.

I do understand being surprised at the workload, simply because at many places, it is just ridiculous. Well, maybe not surprised so much as annoyed.

But I think you're right - a lot of these people seem to think that a CNA is actually more of a medical assistant, when the fact is that the two jobs are hardly even similar.

I can't imagine going through a training program without having a general idea of what you'd be doing afterwards...but I guess that's just my overly cautious nature speaking.

I'll admit that I get annoyed with some of these posts, mainly the ones with a tone that suggests that there is something wrong with CNA work, and the poster would never have done that if they'd known, because they're above that kind of work. Call me crazy, but I'd rather do hard work that improves another person's quality of life than sit in an office taking vitals or handing things to doctors all day (and yes, I know that's not what most medical assistants do, but it seems to be what some people expect to get to do).

Maybe CNA training programs should be more up front about what aides do, right from the start? My training program told us right away what the general routine of an aide at their facility was like, but it seems like many of these people have no idea.

I also had a fairly realistic view of CNA work because I used to know some home health aides who had all quit working in nursing homes and they told me all about it. Plus, my instructor started out as an aide and she repeatedly told us from day one how much work the job is, how not all the residents are sweet old ladies, and how you have to cut corners and scramble to fit everything in. My CNA book, however, kinda made it seem like you'd be whistling while you sort-of-worked. The class teaches you how to take care of like 2 people all day- and made it seem like they'd be ambulatory people at that. We didn't really learn about organization and time management at all in my class, and IMO that's what makes or breaks it. I don't you don't need that in order to pass the test but they should emphasize it anyway.

My CNA instructor was a CNA before she was a LVN, so she gave us a very realistic idea of what aide work would be like. When I started I at least knew what I was getting into. I have seen a lot of these threads too, but I'm not sure what to say. I saw an ad on tv yesterday advertising CNA training completed in 4 weeks with career placement...and they said "get a great paying job" too. How can anyone have an idea of what CNA work is in 4 weeks? And if they come into this thinking they will make great wages.....well...And on top of all that those schools charge thousands to train! Some people have very high expectations, and these school only set them up for disappointment.

The biggest shock for me was the pay. Sorry, I know that CNA's on this forum who've been CNA's for like years and years and years hate to hear people gripe about pay but hey guess what -- some of us have families to support and wages are a big issue. I was told starting wage at the facility I work was $10/hour. If I'd known it was going to be $7.62/hour I would have said nuh-uh forget it....but I had no choice at the time.

Dealing with bodily wastes didn't bother me at all -- what bothered me the most was having to herd and corral people like cattle. I really thought the atmosphere would be a little more gentle and peaceful. I didn't expect a pressure cooker. I also enjoy physically challenging work -- but when the physical challenge keeps me from being a mom to my kids because I just can't handle any more demands on me at the end of the day, the few rewards I get from helping people all day wear very thin. I wish I could choose to do this job because I WANT TO do it rather than I HAVE TO do it because I have no choice -- that would make a big difference in the stress level.

My CNA instructor also started out as an CNA before he became an RN, so he had TONS of stories to tell us about the hellish days we would endure as CNA's. Unlike most of the threads on here, I didn't do my clinicals at a horrible facility. In fact, the facility is one of the best in the area ( I currently work at it's sister facility, which is AWESOME!). So I assumed that every facility I would encounter would be as great & well run as that facility, lol. I've worked at some nice facilities, as well as some not-so-nice ones. That's just how it goes. I think the best advice that I could give to people who are currently in a CNA class, or just finishing one is this: being an aide is hard work. You won't get rich from being one, and you probably won't receive the appreciation you deserve, either. But you are providing care to people who aren't able to help themselves, and I think we truly make a difference :) So hang in there!

I knew that I was going to be working with people and that was about it. I have a few family members with Alzheimer's so I was familiar with the disease. I had a difficult time at first learning time management and dealing with stress. I almost walked out on my first day. Now almost six years later I'm glad I stuck it out. I never would have expected that I would enjoy my job and would pursue nursing further.

The job is pretty much what I expected, but what I did not expect is to have grown adults complaining about every little thing they have to do (co-workers). I would not want to do this the rest of my life but it is okay for now.

We see so many of these, "I've been a CNA for 2 weeks and I hate my job!" threads in here, along with, "I'm in clinicals and I can't BELIEVE my school chose such a subpar facility!" posts. I can kind of understand the latter- it can be a culture shock seeing how a nursing home is run at first. I know I was definitely guilty of expecting the CNAs there to hold my widdle hand and coddle me so I could get a chance to practice all the skills. I didn't realize how structured the job is and how little time they had to baby the CNA students.

But I wonder how someone could get through clinicals and then still be surprised when they get a job that the workload is heavy, shortcuts are taken, and the job is mostly toileting. What did they think it was going to be like? It seems like they either expect to do vitals and assist with procedures all day like medical assistant, or they thought they'd get to spend hours fluffing the pillows of little old ladies.

Before you became a CNA, what were your expectations of the job?

What's really hilarious is there's a thread on this forum from 2007 entitled 'I Hate This!' The poster was a few weeks into CNA class, on his way to nursing school and was appalled at the prospect of the job expectations: 'I can't stand touching people, washing their hair, bathing them, having anything to do with fecal matter....and then oh my god I was told I'd have to perform manual disimpactions and it sent me over the edge.' His teacher rebuked him for asking if it was OK to wear a mask when changing poopy attends. Holy hell what did he think he was going to be doing as a nurse???? Never touching anyone and just handing out pills all day? Some of those responding told him he better bail before he wastes any more time pursuing a nursing career. 'bout laughed my *** off.

Ha, sounds like this girl I used to work with that complained about everything. She complained out loud about cleaning this one guy and she got fired because it offended him. She said as a nurse she would NEVER have to clean poop...well good luck, but you may have to if where you work is short staffed.

Why do instructors say that about the pay? It's so crazy. I've been working as a caregiver for the past year and a half, and know what the pay is like pre-certification and post CNA cert. yet when I was in my class the instructor was saying we could make $15/hour. Ummmm, I WISH! Uncertified caregivers start at around $9-10 per hour and CNA's start at $10-$11. I think it's ridiculous of the instructors to give these people false hope like that, or to give them all the idea that they'll be able to walk in and find a position at a hospital with no previous experience. Crazy. But of course all my classmates were SURE they would go to work at a hospital and make good money as soon as they passed their boards

For myself, my only expectation for actually finally getting to be a CNA is that if I go into a regular Skilled Nursing Facility (I currently work AL in a dementia facility) my pay will go up about $2/hour and my workload will increase from 10 residents to 14-16. But I think I got all jaded by working as an NAR for a long time before going to the CNA class.

I knew what I was getting into since I have friends that are CNA's and our instructor gave us a realistic picture of the job.

What I don't understand is all these new CNA's who think it would be so much better and more exciting to work in a hospital. Yeah hospitals are a little less physically challenging but you're still busy and running around and still have your fair share of dirty work. There isn't a CNA job where you won't have any dirty work.

In my experience, sometimes the hospital is less physically demanding, but sometimes it's not. Since you're getting different patients all the time, every day was a mixed bag. There would be days when all of my patients were fairly independent, and there would be days when all of my patients were those total cares from the nursing home that so many people don't want to take care of.

And at my hospital, call lights were just insane. There was rarely a moment without a call light. And demanding families. Yes, you have those in LTC, but they aren't THERE constantly the way a lot of families are at the hospital.

The hospital can be a great place to work, but it's frustrating after years of reading these boards, how every new or potential aide seems to have "HOSPITALS ARE GOOD, LTC IS BAD" pounded into their heads, and that's just not the case. They are different atmospheres, with similar goals, and neither is suitable for everyone.

You get a wider variety of patients at the hospital, the work load is usually more reasonable, and you see a lot, but most patients aren't there long enough to form much of a bond with them (and I found I missed that). Also, there are SO MANY isolation rooms these days, and I find it so irritating to have to gown up every time I enter a room.

On the other hand, LTC tends to go for a more home-like atmosphere, so sometimes things are a little more relaxed (and that does not mean the work is relaxed, just that they strive for a homey atmosphere for the residents), and you have the same residents long term so you get a chance to build relationships with them...but depending on your facility it can be horribly physically demanding with all the lifting.

Both have their perks and downfalls. If you end up working at an LTC, it's not a death sentence. Heck, you may end up liking it.