First day of CNA Clinicals!

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Today iwas first day of clincials for my Allied Health II Class at my high school. It was nowhere as near as bad as people made it to be. Yes you have to wash people and change their diapers. This kind of does qualify you to take the CNA exam so yea. Anyway I enjoyed it. How was ebryone else on their first day of clinicals.

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Glad you enjoyed your first day!

I took the classes to become a CNA in highschool. I was so nervous my first day. I thought I was going to hurt someone or be completely grossed out, but my experience was awesome! I have to say...those classes and clinicals made so many memories.

Enjoy the experience. Get involved in as many things as you possibly can. You'll be glad you did, especially if you're going to get your nursing license.

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We had a girl in our CNA clinical group who obviously had no idea what a CNA does. She wasn't in our class for the classroom portion so I really can't say what they talked about in class. Anyway... during clinical, we went into a room to clean a resident up and the girl burst into tears and yelled "I didn't know we would have to wipe people's butts!" and ran out of the room. It was actually rather bizarre!

On the other side of things, another girl in the class told me that when she went to sign up for class, she ran into one of the CNA instructors. Upon hearing that the girl was there to sign up for CNA, the instructor said, in a very matter of fact voice, "Well, just know that you WILL wipe a_ _!" After a momentary delay, the girl said "Well.... SIGN ME UP!"

She had no illusions, that is for sure.

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I had an awesome first day of clinicals (I'm finished with the program now). It was a little scary at first, but once I got a rhythm going, it was great. I was fortunate enough to have fantastic classmates and an amazing instructor, which helped.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Gosh, I did mine such a long time ago...you know what I remember most?? HATING that I had to wear an over-large, unflattering, hideous pink dress. Ick. I don't remember a whole lot but I do remember the camaraderie with my fellow students.

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I arrived for my first day of clinicals while the residents were eating lunch.

I almost passed out when the teacher asked me to go feed someone.

I washed my hands for ~2 minutes while I mentally prepared myself.

I finally got myself together and went up to the resident and asked her if she needed any help with her lunch.

She then tried to spit on me before another CNA intervened.

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Those were the days. . . :)

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Specializes in Infusion.

My first clinical is May 12th....glad you had a great experience!

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Thank you guys for your replies. It's been a while now and we are currently in the last week of our clinical internship. I must say I haven't had many probelms. I was a little freaked to have to wash a 100 year old man b/c I thought he would be much more fragile than he was, nut he has ended up beong pne pf my favorite residents. I'm the only male student in our class (and no it doesn't bother me one bit) so I do most of the men and no one has ever made me feel bad about being a male going into a female dominated field. My CNA clinical experience has refreshed and strengthned my zeal to become a Registered Nurse.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

I know this is majorly late, but it's night time and I'm finished with all of my hw. I passed my CNA exam on July 17th!!!!!! I'm so glad I stuck with it.

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Specializes in Infusion.

Man, good for you!!! To be 17 with your CNA under your belt is quite an accomplishment.

I got my CNA at a hospital last summer. My school requires certification to get into the nursing (ADN) program. The day shifts were really fast paced, with a lot of basic care. The evenings were the best. The hospital turns the lights down in the units at about 7pm and everyone gets into the "getting ready for bed" mode. It was the best time to chat with some of the patients. Has some good discussions with some of the most interesting people. I think if you can be a CNA, you can probably do just about anything.

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Thanks for sharing all the experiences you guys. I hope to start my cna class this summer and then work as a cna will hopefully going to nursing school...

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:yeah: Congratulations PatMac10, CNA!!!
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