Title says it all! Was just wondering how many of you worked as CNA's before you became LPN/LVN's? Are you glad you did? Would you recommend working while you are in school?
Thanks for any advice you have to offer - I'm applying for the LPN program at our CC & I'm freakin' OUT, I'm so excited!
I'm contemplating whether I should keep my very flexible job in retail or if I should find a brand new job as a CNA before classes start in July - I know the exeperience I'd gain as a CNA would be incredible...
Thanks pagandeva2000 for clearing that up. I'm currently not anything in the healthcare field but have applied to the local tech school in the hopes of getting into the LPN program. They also offer the CNA course and I thought I might start there but don't seem to have the support of my husband or mother on that one.
My mother says I won't be able to handle working in a nursing home environment or doing the things a CNA does. My husband doesn't understand why I'd want to start at "the bottom" since I already have a degree in another field and he's getting impatient with me not finding a career because I'm almost 40 and he's concerned about my retirement prospects. I guess my plan of sponging off his has been uncovered .
Well, I don't consider it "the bottom" as I'm sure anyone who has ever been a CNA does either. Maybe in terms of pay it can be but not in terms of getting one's feet wet so to speak. I like to ease into things. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it's not. I thought it would be a good idea to maybe get the CNA certificate but still continue with the LPN route, then maybe eventually RN.
I know it's ultimately my decision but it takes some of the excitement out of my decision to finally know at the age of 39 that healthcare is my calling, to get discouraging remarks from two of the most important people to me.
I really want to work now and understand my husband's frustration and I thought starting as a CNA and working part-time at that while going through LPN school would be good, especially if there's a waiting list.
But maybe I can't handle being a CNA? I hate second-guessing myself. I'm not afraid of doing the dirty work but my mom seems to think once I actually see and do it, I'll run for the hills. Any advice? What does a CNA typically do? I've read up on it but would love to hear from those who actually are/have been a CNA.
As far as nursing people CNAs are rather at the bottom of the pile; however getting aide experience is a very good idea. You will learn your most basic nursing skills here and probably know them well by the time you graduate with your PN degree. You will also learn to appreciate what hard work the people you may eventually be in charge of do. Aides at nursing homes usually have to be certified (in Michigan this is so). They assisted residents with ther activities of daily living (ADLs). A very polite way of saying washing, bathing, toileting, walking, feeding, doing hair, brushing teeth, making beds, changing soiled undergarments (yes, I mean poop and pee), doing pericare (cleaning dirty butts), and any other activity that would be considered an everyday kind of thing. At some places it may mean giving bowel care (that's enemas or suppositories) or doing vital signs (temperature, pulse, and blood pressure). It is hard work and usually you're short staffed. I recommend finding out what the facility's you are considering working at aide to patient ratio is. That will give you some kind of work load you will be loking at. For instance an aide to patient ratio for the day time of 1 aide to 15 residents is bad. 1 aide to 6-8 is much better. 1 aide to 15 residents on a night shift however isn't to bad. Also talk to the aides working their especially if you know one of them. You'll get a better idea of the working conditions. The demand for aides is usually high so you can kind of interview the places you want to work at to.
I have worked as a CNA/HHA for the last 21 years. Started out in nursing homes then to private duty, then to homecare for 8 years and back to private duty. It has helped me out tremendously in school. I will never ever forget where I came from!
Never did. I am going for my RN, though, and I will remember what I went through as an LPN. It's important to grow and remember where you have come from.
Specializes in geriatrics-LTC/clinics/med surg/psych.
:monkeydance: I worked as a home health aide and as a direct care aide in a group home before getting my lvn license. I liked being a hha more because I worked with just one patient and got to really know their family. As an aide I did everything I could for my patient. I think my experience as an aide has helped me to work well with the cna's on staff.But I recognize the differences between those cna's who are hard working and those who are lazy, rude, and do everything to avoid work. I was respectful to my supervisor's and patients. Unfortunately there's also a shortage of aides in alot of facilities, so the bad apples are rarely disciplined and the dedicated aides are rarely recognized!!!
I never worked as a CNA, but did work as both med tech in an independent living setting and PCA in a group home setting before going to LPN school. Good luck to you!
most definately... although the past 4 years Ive worked as a CMA (certified medical assistant) and phlebotomist I wanted to make sure I wasnt going to burn out before i forked the dough and time to becoming a nurse... after this long Im sooooo sure but a few weeks in my cl[inicals I was thinking oh my god!!! I think with nursing there are times we wanna give up ... but if we stick it out, go for it ... i think it would def. be harder going into nursing w no nursing background, but again this is 'my' opinion....
I just finished 4 semesters of intense studying/prereqs for the RN program at MSCC TN. YEAH! I only had micro to go, which I'd planned on taking during RN prog., had I gotten in. I didn't get accepted as my overall points were not what they could have been. My 3.2 GPA and HESI score of (79%)wasn't high enough to give me entrance. I got a B in A&PI, but barely passed A&PII w/ a C, which was a bit disappointing... (Family emerg. caring for my disabled hubby, running kidz everywhere, etc., took quite a bit of study time away this last semester.) BUTTTTT! I am not giving up!!! I am a 53 yr. old mother of 10 (2 still in the nest) and granny to 6 1/2. (one in the oven.) Anyway... I am not giving up my dream to become an RN someday. I am applying for LPN training, classes beginning Sept. 4, 07,... meanwhile, I'd like to become a CNA first, but only up until LPN training begins. I realize how much intense study goes with the RN path and I appreciate RNS more now, than I ever have. I don't believe I know enough yet, having never worked in Healthcare and if I am going to be one of the BEST RN's, I feel becoming a CNA, or LPN first would better prepare me for the RN path. I am looking forward to becoming a caregiver, in any capacity.
I worked as a CNA before and during LPN school. I am very gald that I did. All of the nurses that I worked with were always showing me things and teaching me things. They all helped me if I was having a hard time with something related to school. And now I have the belief that you never forget where you came from and I am respected by all of my aides because they know that I was in their shoes once.
WOW! I worked as a Nurses aide way back in the 60's, before aides had to be certified! I wouldn't change that experience for anything. I never ask a CNA to do something I wouldn't do. I have no problem helping them out, IF I have time.
jaacosmom
23 Posts
As far as nursing people CNAs are rather at the bottom of the pile; however getting aide experience is a very good idea. You will learn your most basic nursing skills here and probably know them well by the time you graduate with your PN degree. You will also learn to appreciate what hard work the people you may eventually be in charge of do. Aides at nursing homes usually have to be certified (in Michigan this is so). They assisted residents with ther activities of daily living (ADLs). A very polite way of saying washing, bathing, toileting, walking, feeding, doing hair, brushing teeth, making beds, changing soiled undergarments (yes, I mean poop and pee), doing pericare (cleaning dirty butts), and any other activity that would be considered an everyday kind of thing. At some places it may mean giving bowel care (that's enemas or suppositories) or doing vital signs (temperature, pulse, and blood pressure). It is hard work and usually you're short staffed. I recommend finding out what the facility's you are considering working at aide to patient ratio is. That will give you some kind of work load you will be loking at. For instance an aide to patient ratio for the day time of 1 aide to 15 residents is bad. 1 aide to 6-8 is much better. 1 aide to 15 residents on a night shift however isn't to bad. Also talk to the aides working their especially if you know one of them. You'll get a better idea of the working conditions. The demand for aides is usually high so you can kind of interview the places you want to work at to.