Frustrated.

babyyoda · Oct 8, 2012

Don't let anyone dishearten you about pursuing a CNA career. Every single environment is different, there are inpatient CNAs, and LTC CNAs in nursing homes, CNAs that work in the ED, not to mention also that their role varies from facility to facility, let alone varies from unit to unit. CNAs are great. They are not just "butt wipers". RNs help with that too, or should. CNAs provide a lot of direct care that the patient needs for comfort and do much more than just bathe on inpatient units. They are crazily busy and sometimes being pulled in 10 different directions for a blood sugar check here and a patient that needs to go to the BR there, but they really help things run. I had nursing school clinicals and an internship at a hospital where they didn't require the aides to have CNA certification, so maybe you could find one like that? I would look for jobs that provide the CNA schooling, and see if you can find any before registering for a CNA program. In my hometown a certain nursing home, hires people as aides and puts them through CNA certification if they don't already have it. You have to agree to work for them for 6 months or a year or something like that or you have to pay for the course, but you are guaranteed the job and the course. Being an aide definitely gives you 1 up when it comes to getting an RN job down the road if you pursue. Plus it is something you can do part time or even per diem as many of my nursing school classmates did throughout school (I completed a BSN program, just started first RN job). It helped them with patient care skills at clinicals too. I had no hospital experience when I started clinicals and it took me like 4 hours to get bathing, dressing, and breakfast done on one patient when I first started. My classmates who were already patient care aides had a much easier time. So it does open doors for you. Plus the compensation isn't too bad even though they work really hard. I know people that had aide jobs anywhere from ten bucks/hr (Western PA) to eighteen bucks/hr (Westlake, OH). So do a little more research into positions that might provide for your CNA course, or not even require it, and good luck!

Lame · Oct 8, 2012

It's not anyone's business what you decide to do w/ your life. If YOU are proud of continuing your education, that's all that matters.

In the beginning of my CNA class, I thought it was the wrong job for me. I didn't think I would be good at being sensitive to the needs of others, etc. However, when we began clinical, I realized that this was something I would love to do. Yes, there's a huge amount of poop and pee involved, but you get used to it. The residents need help and if they didn't, they wouldn't be there. I just got hired at an assisted living facility about a month ago. I like it so far. You just have to learn how to manage your time. We have about 20 residents/caregiver. As for your question about the GED: My employer did not ask any high school diploma/GED verification. I didn't even mention it in the education portion of my resume. I don't think anyone will care what you have, as long as you have a high school education prior to entering the program.

Good luck!!

esand · Oct 8, 2012

Thank you so much for the great responses. They were very helpful. :)

If anybody can answer this last question for me, it'd be great: What if the school I'm wanting to go to lost their BBB accreditation? Their site says they're approved. At the bottom of the page, it has a clickable button that say "Accredited business" but when I click it, it says that the BBB dropped them in May of 2012. This is the best chance I have, but should I be weary of that?

Alia Health Career Services Review - Employment Training in Columbus, OH - BBB Business Review - BBB serving 21 Counties in Central Ohio

ctmed · Oct 9, 2012

Accreditation for CNA does not matter. Only the certificate and if passing the course for that institution will allow you to take the state test. I have heard of some nursing schools letting you out of one RN or LPN course if you take CNA with them, but this is the exception rather than the rule. I would go with the cheapest possible. Do not go PCT unless your state makes a distiction between PCT and CNA.

That said, 385 USD sounds very reasonable for what CNA actually pays. These places charging 1k for CNA is ridiculous.

Do not let other people try to insert what they want on you. If you want to be a RN, CNA will at best make you into durn good RN. At worst you may decide nursing is not for you. But, at least it only cost 385 instead of thousands and HARD RN school to find out.

esand · Oct 9, 2012

You're right! Thank you so much. :)

I was afraid that if they weren't accredited, I wouldn't be able to find a job. A school that I was previously trying to go to said that if the school wasn't accredited, no employer would want me, which is why I asked. And as far as how cheap it is, that's how the majority of them are in Ohio, for some reason. Some approach even the $600 mark, but that's still good compared to the really expensive places, I guess.

charris61 · Oct 9, 2012

I've had dreams of being a nurse for as long as I could remember. I've just always in the back of my mind known that I wanted to be an RN.
I'm currently trying to find a good CNA program that I can afford, but they're all too expensive or too far away. Here in Ohio, it seems to be cheaper to get trained than most places. My back-burner school is $385 for tuition, scrubs, materials, and the state test. They even lend you books so you don't have to buy.
HOWEVER, I was wanting to go with a school that has more accredations.. Because this one only has two. Ah well. ON TO WHAT A MADE THIS TOPIC FOR.
I'd like to rant about the fact that everybody and their mom is trying to change my mind on this! It's very disheartening to tell my sister that I'm going back to school (after dropping out of high school at 17) for my CNA cert and have her make a disgusted face at me and say "Ew, you're going to be one of those butt wipers." I've been researching the CNA job and everything about it since I found out that I could do it, so I know all about what I'd be doing and have no problem with that. I want to. All of my friends take time out of my day to say "Why on earth would you want to do that?" and it just really hurts my feelings. :/ I want them to be proud that I'm continuing my education, you know?
Has anybody else ever experienced that to any degree?
I also have a few questions. How did you know that the school you went to was the right one? Did you have fun in class? What was your first job after graduating? Also, is it hard to find a job if you've got a GED instead of a diploma?
Thank you if you read all of that, and sorry for the rambling.
Hey you know someone has to do that job! When people say that you need to ask them who do you think will take care of YOU when you get old?!? There are always criticisms that a CNA has to deal with. I am a CNA and I love it! You need to do what makes you happy and before you know it those same people will be calling you and asking for medical advice! Lol!

Mewsin · Oct 9, 2012

I'm a CCA and I also received criticism before I started working. I had one daycare owner tell me the only difference between her job and my job was the bums I was going to be changing were bigger and hairier. Considering this woman wanted to pay me less than minimum wage to work for her, I discredited her "helpfulness". (I may have mentioned to her the difference would be the $20/hr pay)

I love my job. I love learning the different personalities of the people I work with. I have decided to take my LPN and I love how much I am learning about my future job as well.

I have to tell you, if you decide to go further, you may get more criticism. I have aides now who are asking me why I would bother going LPN.

Do what you want to do, don't worry about those who don't get it. Enjoy your work and it will be very rewarding.

nguyency77, CNA · Oct 9, 2012

Other people don't know you as well as YOU know YOU. If they don't get it, they don't get it. You won't know if you'll like being a CNA unless you try! Congratulations on wanting to take the first step toward a better education.

As for accreditation, in my state (NM) employers don't care if we graduate from an accredited CNA course or not. In fact, my manager said she prefers to hire people who are nursing home trained because they have more practical experience. Those people still have to go get their CNA cert, but they still learn, read, and practice skills just like in a CNA course. You may want to check if there are any nursing homes/LTC that might offer a course?

Glycerine82, LPN · Oct 9, 2012

This is an awesome way to find out if you love nursing. It's so rewarding. It's hard as hell, but worth it. I promise you no one is going to care where you got your certificate as long as you're certified. I was able to find a free program funded through Medicare an all anyone ever wants to see is my certificate. You learn everything once you get out of school anyways. What they teach you and the real world are two very different things. Good luck!! Don't let anyone talk you out of it.

"No day but today"

esand · Oct 9, 2012

Wow, you're all awesome.

Love this community all ready, by the way. Last CNA board I was on wasn't so friendly. lol

TurtleCat · Oct 9, 2012

It makes me sad when people disrespect CNAs because I've always had nothing but mad respect for the type of work they do. Most CNAs work HARD, and are required to take a class and get certified before they are qualified to do the job. I think it's a very honorable and selfless job, taking care of people who can't care for themselves. Not just anyone can do it. And that was the reason why I wanted to do it and decided to take a CNA class, because I want to perform a good service and help others. Yes, CNA jobs may not always pay that well but I don't care about making the big bucks. As long as I have enough to pay the bills and be comfortable I'm happy.

If there's one thing life has taught me over the years, it's to do what YOU want to do, what makes YOU happy. And not worry about what others think or say. You only have one life to live, you may as well take advantage of the opportunity to do what you want. Letting the opinions of others rule your life will only make you miserable in the end. I used to know people that would say you were a loser unless you were going to be a lawyer or doctor or whatever, and now I realize how ignorant people like that are. They just want an excuse to put others down for.

I haven't actually gotten certified or started working as a CNA yet, but I'm really hoping this career field will work out well for me. I know I love the elderly and I'm thinking it will be very fulfilling to have a job where I would be taking care of them and helping them everyday. Right now I'm working in fast food and while it's not so bad, it is kind of dishearting to know I'm not really contributing much other than serving bad fattening food to people. At least with being a CNA, I can come home everyday knowing that I made a difference in someone's life. I hope so, anyway. At the same time, though, I realize that CNA is far from a glorious job. I see a lot of people start out fine and then wind up burnt out and disillusioned after too long. :/