Finished NA class

My last day of clinicals was today as well! Man, I am sure exhausted! I got an A in the class overall. Congrats on your 98.8 percent Now time for the state exam! Best of luck to you!

I took my CNA exam last year. The written test was easy (for me). Skills had me SUPER anxious. i got the MOSBYs dvds to help me study. Remember to take your sweet time during the skills portion. as long as you do it correctly, they dont care if it takes time. wash your hand before and after. you should do well. i had to give a bed bath, ambulate a patient, and pulse/respirations. its ok if you make a mistake as long at it doesnt compromise the safety of the patient. you are allowed to correct certain mistakes (like forgetting to draw curtain for privacy) as long as you do it before to say youre finished.

CNA is a fairly painless and short class. The job itself does beat roofing, Mickey D's or Wally World. Now that you have something that is in somewhat more of a demand, I always suggest new CNA grads just keep an eye out for some of the other fields in medical. You may run into medical couriers, nurses, therapists, and nutritionists. CNA really does not pay enough for a career unless you are in a relationship and have two incomes. It also has other drawbacks that are discussed in many threads on the CNA board of allnurses.

Myself, it is COTA. But who knows. My solution may not be for you or anyone else on this board. But, your time as a CNA will help you regardless of where you go from here.

CNA is just a jumping off point for me. I start classes on August 29th. I'm enrolled for my pre-reqs for my BSN. I have a year of classes before I can get into the BSN program itself. Fun fact about the college I will be attending is that 95% of male applicants are accepted first time. So as long as I don't bomb something (college algebra), I have a REALLY good chance of getting in. My BSN will be another jumping off point for me, as I plan on either going for my CRNA or APN. Haven't made up my mind yet, but I'm definitely going for a higher degree. I will be the only person in my family (mom or dad's side) to get a Bachelor's, much less a graduate degree.

Something else that surprised me about clinicals was how all the women were perfectly okay with me helping with peri-care, showering, batheing, etc. I asked every single resident if they were okay with me being in the room during intimate care and every single one of them said it was not a problem.

I'll be applying for jobs Tuesday. I have to go out to the college and pick up a new copy of my certificate with my name spelled correctly. My teacher was really cool about getting me a corrected copy.

congrats!

to answer your question, "

CNA is just a jumping off point for me. I start classes on August 29th. I'm enrolled for my pre-reqs for my BSN. I have a year of classes before I can get into the BSN program itself. Fun fact about the college I will be attending is that 95% of male applicants are accepted first time. So as long as I don't bomb something (college algebra), I have a REALLY good chance of getting in. My BSN will be another jumping off point for me, as I plan on either going for my CRNA or APN. Haven't made up my mind yet, but I'm definitely going for a higher degree. I will be the only person in my family (mom or dad's side) to get a Bachelor's, much less a graduate degree.

Something else that surprised me about clinicals was how all the women were perfectly okay with me helping with peri-care, showering, batheing, etc. I asked every single resident if they were okay with me being in the room during intimate care and every single one of them said it was not a problem.

I'll be applying for jobs Tuesday. I have to go out to the college and pick up a new copy of my certificate with my name spelled correctly. My teacher was really cool about getting me a corrected copy.

Good for you!

Big warning: CRNA is hardcore. I worked with a CRNA in a PACU one CNA agency contract. He went through CNA to LPN to RN to CRNA. Took him a decade. But, he was really good at what he did and had a hilarious and fun attitude about him because no matter what, he had been through all of it. Unlike some of these folks that just go to school and jump into something. But, for CRNA, you have to have a BS and 2 years on the floor (preferably ICU) to even try out.

As far as men doing female patients, you have been fortunate. As a guy, sometimes I got chased out of rooms. It's coming. One time I had this 300 lb + lady who who had OCD issues and was very hard to deal with not want a guy. Now, I had no problem with this, because she was kind of a pest. The other female CNAs started griping, though. One of them said, "If that lady does not want a male when a male is the only one who will take care of her, she can just sit until the next shift!" because she did not want her. Fortunately, the floor supervisor somewhat not so gently reminded her that refusing a male attendant is a patient right and she would have to pick the lady up. Did not keep me from getting evil looks all night from this other CNA.