Cna ??????

Genista, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2002

Hi Hidi-

I think working as a CNA is great experience. You can train to become a CNA at a local community college or the American Red Cross. Many nursing homes or hospitals will train you as a nurse aid, and that is a little different than a CNA, in which you complete classes & take a short common sense exam (I took it way back when & it wasn't hard at all).

I see that you live in Texas...

http://www.redcrossaustin.org/

I found this CNA's website on a websearch. It has some good info & might answer a few of your questions:

http://members.tripod.com/~CNA_MUNCHKIN/shari.htm

This is job info about CNA pay, training & working conditions:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos165.htm

You can do this, if you want to! It's normal to feel scared of "new" things. I think most of us can admit we were scared the first time we worked in a hospital without any prior experience. The important thing is to go in with a good attitude & be willing to learn. Try and do some research before you apply to your first job. Do you know anyone in the healthcare field who can tell you which hospitals in your area are the best to work at?

CNAs are vital in hospitals, but oftentimes, just like the nurses, are worked to the bone. I think the respect you get depends on the place & who you work with. Just like in life, there are no guarantees. Sometimes CNAs are treated well, sometimes they are not, just like all of us experience. As an RN, I get treated like dirt sometimes too.

So, try & find out if the place you'll be working at is a safe & caring place to work. You'll want to ask questions like: 1) How much orientation will you get? 2) What are your job duties & scope of practice? 3) How many patients will you personally be responsible for? 4) Why is this position vacant?

Ask to talk with the staff CNAs & nurses if you can. I suggest all this because some places are decent to work at, and will appreciate you, while others could care less & treat staff like a disposable commodity.

I hope this info helps! Good luck! Let us know how it works out.

:roll

tattooednursie, LVN · Nov 20, 2002

Hi. I am a CNA of ony 3 months. the medical center trained me and I work at their long term care center. I'm in the state of california. I don't know if it works exactly the same way in Texas, but I am sure it is pretty close. My duties are to take report from the nurses (you can learn a little about medication there, but we do not give ANY meds even if a nurse tells you too). then i do rounds with the CNA from the previous shift that worked the hall that I am scedualed to work. I go through and do my vital signs, then a shower, then I start getting them up for dinner (I'm just talking from a PM shift standpoint) then we take them too the diningroom and feed them, some you will have to spoon feed if you work in long term care, then we do more showers, lay them down, perineal care (cleaning of the genitals) and oral care, and dont forget to chart and do your last rounds. This is a routine schedual for me . . . It may sound easy, but it is very time consuming. Alot of times emergancies would come up too (i.e. some one had bowel movement smeared from head to toe and on the walls, and on the floor and on the bed, and on anyone else in the area. ) you must make time for things like that.

Something very important you must prepare for is post-mortum care ( taking care of the patients who have passed away.

When a person dies, often they become incontinent of bowel and bladder, and the family often wants to see then, so it would be your job to do proper peri care and just make them look presentable for the family. Its mostly a respect thing.

While they are dying, they may want you to sit with them. That is the hardest thing for me, because I really get attatched. Its a really tearful event for me when one passes on, It affects everyone differently.

Being a CNA has so far been my biggest challenge so far. I have learned alot of lifes important things on the job.

Hey, if you would like to chat with me, some one very new to this profession as well, PM me, or email me @ [email protected]. and I have MSN messenger too, so if you have that you can add me :)

I would like to hear from you.

Mandi :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2002

Working as a CNA will be a valuable experience if you are going on to be a licensed nurse.

A good hardworking CNA, that works with staff and is caring towards patients will get tremendous respect.

I was a CNA before getting my RN and I enjoyed it a lot. Being a CNA though is tough work. Be prepared and willing to work your butt off. (But all nurses and CNA's work their butt off, or should).

Good luck.

reddgott · Nov 21, 2002

I am a cna student and currently in the clinical phase. One thing I can tell you is that going through the community college is much harder, and takes longer than being trained by an employer. but if you cant find an employer willing to do that it becomes your only option. there are many students in my class that have been layed off after several years of employment to do this so dont feel like it cant be done. just be prepaired, its not as easy as you might think.