Good idea to quit job to become a cna?

karamarie91 · Apr 30, 2011

I quit my job as a banker to become a CNA. The transition was smooth, but I had to grow accostomed to the significant pay difference. Being a CNA looks great on your nursing school application/interviews. You will have so many stories about your job that you could use to advance your career. It is hard work though but you'll always be busy...

Best wishes.

yousoldtheworld · Apr 30, 2011

If you can handle the sometimes low pay, and the almost ALWAYS hard work, it is a great idea to work as an aide if you're planning to become a nurse.

northernguy · May 1, 2011

Working as a CNA in a hospital might be worth it, but those jobs are hard to come by.

Working as a CNA in long term care is a job I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy, its the worst of everything. Highly stressful, physically exhausting, totally thankless, little job security(one bad shift can end your job and potentially end your certification), and there is the constant risk of permanent injury. Ive done a lot of different jobs in my life, and Ive been a CNA in long term care for a year, and its easily the worst job Ive ever had. The pay is decent, at least where I work, but not even close to being worth it. I wouldnt recommend it to anyone.

Ive done some grueling jobs like construction, but in fields like that there is usually some respect between a boss and the workers. You work hard and bust your butt and the boss will look out for you. That is not the case at all in LTC. You work your butt off and all you get is criticism and more work, and if something goes wrong you WILL be the scapegoat. CNAs are seen as totally expendable.

Management seems to believe we should be thanking them for the privledge of working there, its just unbelievable, and Ive heard its largely the same at any LTC facility, although Where I work is definitely worse than most.

yousoldtheworld · May 1, 2011

I'm sorry you hate your job so much, but I love mine. It is FAR from the "worst of everything". I'd take it over answering phones, making fast food, or working in a factory any day of the week.

The work is hard, yes. But I have the privilege of caring for 80 special needs kids who make my life better every time I see them. LTC is not for everyone, but just because you think it's awful does not mean that it is for everyone.

Thirdwatch · May 1, 2011

I also learned to love my CNA job. I had many jobs as well, such teacher's aide, pre-school teacher, special education aide, middle school substitute teacher. I gotta say, I would take the CNA job over any of those.

You get a load of ungrateful patients, but they only have an average of a 3-day stay at the hospital...and they're gone. With time, you'll learn to like it.

tonyv · May 3, 2011

Thanks everybody for the great input, does anyone have suggestions about taking cna course at the community college or red cross? At the jc it's roughly $1000 with everything, the red cross is roughly $1500 but it's 160 hours shorter. It will also allow me to take a prereq over the summer and get ahead.

amc911 · May 4, 2011

I also quit my job to follow my dream, I am starting a 6 wk CNA program June 6th and cant wait! I have been wanting to do it for years and realized I am not getting any younger so w/an 8 month old and a husband in college also I am biting the bullet and hoping in a few yrs I can get into nursing school and become an RN! I dont want to look back and think I wish I did it!

I am going through my community college and it is $800 and then books etc so it will be approximately $900-$1k - I was told some Nursing Homes will pay to train you and then you can get paid to work/train while you are there if that is something you can find in your area!

Good Luck!!!