HELP! I DON"T WANT TO GO THROUGH CNA first...

KellNY, RN · Feb 4, 2007

Our nursing school requires that you have a CNA license prior to entering the program.

Not to nitpick, but just wanted to mention that a CNA does not have a license, but a certificate. :)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 4, 2007

This is really not to put any profession down but I've dreamed of being a nurse for soooo long, now only to discover that before entering my LVN program, I have to get the CNA title first! I am horrified of having to do some of the tasks described! This is not whaat I dreamed of all these years, I was thinking more along the lines of changing newborn diapers, not old folk diapers! CAN ANYONE BRING ANY CONSOLATION?

Those 'horrifying' tasks are also done by nurses, too, so that's something to consider.

Another thing to consider is that as an LVN student, you might change newborn diapers, but the odds of getting to do so as an LVN, say, in a nursery are slim. The majority of Maternity wards hire RNs only.

Might want to do some more research on what other 'horrifying' tasks are associated with nursing. It sounds as though you either have a glamourized picture of nursing, or just don't know everything involved in it.

RNinSoCal · Feb 4, 2007

Wow. I disagree with the other posters. I never wanted to be a CNA either. It is many many more pts and a lot of back breaking work to be a CNA. I do not have any problems with diapering and cleaning people, just not 12 people a day over and over!!!! As an RN I have only 4-5 pts on med/surg with no CNA. I do everything myself unless the pt is large and then another nurse helps.

If at all possible you should look for a school that does not have that requirement. I went straight to RN with no prior experience and had scholarships and loans to get me through school. I don't think every nurse has to be a CNA first.

Best of luck!!

nj1grlcrus · Feb 4, 2007

I am attending nursing school to become an RN. I just passed my first set of Skill Tests: bedbath, making an occupied bed, bedpan, oral care and restraints. In two weeks I will be training at a nursing home. So don't think the RN skips that step. YOu have to know how to do these skills, first, so you can do them, and second, if you do delegate them to an aide, you know they are being done right. The only thing I didn't like was practicing on a dummy, can't wait to take care of real people!!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2007

I won't bash or flame you. But all nurses sooner or later have to do some of those "horrifying" things you dread.

I personally don't have to get my CNA but I have already "done my time" in that field. I was a CNA from the age of 16 to 25, I have since let my State Registration expire. I loved working with the elderly and yes, its backbreaking with little or no respect from some people. But, I am so glad I did that work. I was introduced into healthcare that way. It gives you a taste of a lot of what you will deal with in the hospital. Being a former CNA I have a heads up on a lot of the people starting LPN school at the same time as me. I already know how to do bedbaths, make beds, toilet people, lift, use the machines, take vitals etc.

In clinicals you will do a lot of the work a CNA does. Get that CNA certificate, and apply to the school. No one says you have to work as a CNA. See it as a learning experience and not as a punishment.

puggymae · Feb 4, 2007

I just wonder what particular tasks you do envision yourself doing as a nurse?

WannaBeNrse · Feb 4, 2007

Hey,

changing people isn't the funnest part about nursing, but its not as bad as you think ;-)

i am not a CNA yet, but i worked in a nursing home in my home country for two years, and trust me, i changed alot of diapers ;-) At first it was hard. My first weeks on the job, i wouldnt touch anybody. i just "helped" the other nurses and aids, and they all hated me. I thought i'd never get used to it. But you know what? I did. it took maybe a month or so, and suddenly, the whole diaper-changing part didnt seem so bad anymore. and now looking back, what i remember from my two years of work at the LTC- the diapers arent the first thing that comes to mind. it really is such a small part of the job, if you think about it. And as others have already mentioned: It is MUCH worse for the person that is helpless and has to be cleaned up. we had a patient that cried everytime we had to change him :-(

It is probably a good thing that most schools require the CNA first- it helps you find out if this is sth you can and want to do, or if youre maybe happier in a "cleaner" job.

Good Luck!

GardenDove · Feb 4, 2007

Is the opening post a joke?

BWSPN · Feb 4, 2007

Your the girl at my first clinical who sat in the corner with her nose wrinkled up because my individual had a bm. Get over it or find something else to do. I've worked in LTC where even the Charge Nurse had to take a turn working a shift as a CNA.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2007

Wow, what would you do if you end up working in Primary Care? No CNA's to do all the yucky stuff lol. Suck it up or find another profession that you dont get your hands dirty.

SCRN1 · Feb 4, 2007

Actually, I think it's a good idea.

1. Since it is part of nursing care and you may not always have a CNA to change patient's briefs for you & need to do it yourself, it'll help you decide if you want to go into nursing before you spend all that time and money getting the education.

2. It helps you understand how the CNA feels when you become a nurse and start delegating to a CNA.

I've met too many nurses who think it's beneath them to mess with a patient's poop and will spend 30 minutes trying to track down a CNA to change a patient instead of just going ahead and doing it themselves. Think about the poor patient who's having to lay there in it, not to mention the risk of skin breakdown.

Like others here have stated, they don't hire LPNs to work with the babies. When I worked L&D and Mother/Baby, the only LPN was in Mother/Baby and her only responsibility was to give PO meds to the moms. They only scheduled one to work at a time and that was on day shift only. Also, there was only one CNA at a time hired on that floor during the day and her only responsibilities were to change linens and hand out trays. RNs were the only ones in each of those two departments who gave any patient care.

LPN0608 · Feb 4, 2007

I'm in LPN school right now. 2nd semester. We change alot of briefs! Most of us really don't mind but please don't be like this one girl in our class. She'll come in to "help" and sometimes she stays and just stands there not doing anything. Our instructors think she's working just as hard as we are but she just stands there. Drives me crazy!!!! She's a good worker and begs to do dsg. changes, peg feedings, draw blood. Anything that doesn't involve BM The other day she saw a couple of students going into a room and came in to see what was going on. . Well when she saw we were about to clean up an XXL loose BM on a rather large woman, she left the room and I found out later that she asked the instructor to take her brake right then. There was a couple of students in there already but we sure could of used the help turning. Of course a couple hr's later she almost pissed on herself to do something more "nursey like." I hate her. Sorry so long winded but if you really wanna be a nurse, go for it. But just know that it ain't all pretty or fun but it's all to help someone else. That's what nurses do. Just try to think about if it were your parents. I know if it were my dad, I'd sure want him clean and happy. Some of those people have lived along time and deserve to rest with some dignity.

PS. I want to work LTC when I get out of school because I worked in one as a CNA. You never know what you'll like to you try it.