GUYS and CNA first

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Did any of you guys out there become a CNA or anything prior to becoming a nurse or applying to nursing school?

I called a hospital and they said it would be a lot for me to shadow (HIPPA etc) unless I am in a nursing program

I thought about taking a CNA course but I get the impression that it is low paying and does all the dirty work

it's a big advantage to have some cna experience. in florida, you can become a cna just by challenging the exam. there are no educational prerequisites. i'd imagine you can do that in other states as well.

i personally heard this from a nurse recruiter : "THE BEST NURSES WERE CNA'S FIRST".

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i wanted to take a cna course myself while i am doing my pre reqs..just that i dont know if i can handle the work of cleaning poop,pee,etc...i sometimes think i am choosing the wrong career...

Well you are not going to escape it when you become a nurse. I am a cna and the nurses that work where i work alwasy clean up poop,pee.

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question: did you guys always wanted to become nurses..but did the poop..pee..etc thing ever held you back?

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A few years back I went to school to become a massage therapist. Ya know, there were people in my class with "touch issues". Why in Glub's name would someone go to massage therapist school when they are unable to touch people or accept the touch of a fellow human?!? Why I ask you, why?!?

If you are going to go into a hands on career in the medical profession you are going to have to deal with poop, pee, puss, blood, eye boogers, ear wax, necrotic tissue, snot, vomit, and all the tasty and odoriferous sauces that the human body can produce. It's just part of it.

If you really want to become a nurse, but are afraid that the gross stuff is going to keep you from it, why not try a lesser commitment than nursing school first? Get a license (and a job) as a CNA, volunteer at a nursing home, hang out at a frat house.

Maybe I'm not being very nurturing or supportive here, but I had no sympathy for the idiot in massage school who was so squeamish about being touched that he literally broke out in hives. I had no sympathy for my dumb ass EMT partner who was so sickened at the sight of blood that she couldn't do her job.

The health care field is a wonderful, rewarding, and fulfilling career for lots of people. Maybe you are one of us, and if so...WELCOME!!!! If not, well there ain't a thing wrong with that either.

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yea your right...right now i am looking for a CNA school..so i can get use to these fluids from a human being...i really like to care for a person and make them feel better about themselves..and if fluids will hold me back..i wont make it..i will get a cna job and get experience..thanks for the advice.

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Good for you! You may find, like I did, that you'll realize that your patients are just people. People who are ill, who's bodies are failing them, or in recovery...People who need help. It didn't take me long at all to realize that it could be me, or my parents, or loved one's who need help. Professionalism will carry you a long way. Treat your patients how you would want your loved ones treated and it'll be difficult to go wrong.

I hope you find reward in this industry!

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yea while i am doing my CNA..i will apply to the nursing prog in my school..its been so hard to get in...there is a shortage of nurses and yet make it so hard to get into the program

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