I'm a CNA just because I want experience

Ev1987 · Jan 21, 2011

I'm a cna for all the above reasons. I like my job, it helps pay the bills and because I do plan on becoming a nurse. The experience I'm getting now as a nurse aide is priceless.

wishinguponastarLPN · Jan 21, 2011

I'm a cna for all the above reasons. I like my job, it helps pay the bills and because I do plan on becoming a nurse. The experience I'm getting now as a nurse aide is priceless.

Ditto.

lscarecrowe · Jan 21, 2011

The main reason I wanted to work as a CNA was to get experience in the medical field and see if nursing will be a good fit for me. The pay is better than working retail, and I get some direct patient care experience. Today will be my first day on the floor at a nursing home, I'm already getting butterflies!

blessed2bfree · Jan 21, 2011

Today will be my first day on the floor at a nursing home, I'm already getting butterflies!

Good luck to you! You will do fine. I'm a little nervous about my first day, too. But I know it will all be worth it in the end.

LaterAlligator · Jan 21, 2011

I started working as a caregiver for older folks just to pay the bills, then realized how much I enjoyed it. After a while I started working in Assisted Living as an aide, and that's when I realized I wanted to be a nurse. Now I've been doing this for a year and a half & I'm finally going to get my CNA cert next month, and start my prereqs at the community college fall quarter. :)

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2011

I just wanted to say, that your story is exactly like a lady who was in my CNA program! I think its great that you're doing it for experience, it will definitely benefit you. If I had my way, I would make everyone work as a CNA before they entered nursing school!

MotivatedOne · Jan 22, 2011

I've always known I wanted to do something in the medical field and even took science and medical science classes in high school to reflect my decision but once I started college, a lack of motivation strayed my away from my dream. In 2007, I decided to pursue a second degree in nursing and figured becoming a CNA would be a great way to 1. Get my foot in the door, and 2. Gain some valuable experience. Being a CNA is hard work, it is no walk in the park. I've had to put up with a lot of crap from both my patients and my coworkers but mostly my coworkers (lazy nurses). Unfortunately, being a NA for some has proven to be beneficial in that it made them realize the nursing field isn't for them. Better to go and get an 8 week to 3 month certification than a 2-4 year degree only to find you're not happy doing what you do. I've had both my ups and downs but have found that working as an NA has been a rewarding experience. I NOW have a job with medical, dental and vision benefits, only 3 nights a week, self-scheduling and paid time off but I know that I can't stay in this position for much longer. Its tough on your back, having to constantly slide patients up in bed, turn them over to be cleaned. It's tough on your knees having to squat down to empty foleys and at times I feel like a waitress but it takes one patient to tell me they appreciate all I've done for them and that I will someday make a good nurse that makes doing this worthwhile.

I honestly believe that nursing schools should go a step further and make it a requirement that each student have a certain amount of experience as an NA rather than just a certification. It would hopefully make Nurses appreciate what we do more and not take us for granted which is unfortunately the case, no matter where you work. I'm not saying that ALL Nurses don't appreciate their NA's but there are quite a few who if you let them, will try to walk all over you!

To the OP, good luck with your readmission!!! To all others, good luck in all of your future endeavors :-)

nursnovice · Jan 29, 2011

i prev. had six years of experience as a cna while i was going to college. After i got my degree in IT, i decided to let the nursing thing go as it paid the bills while i was in college. So, my license is off cause expired. After many years now, i am now changing my career...wanting to go to nursing school. My question now, is should i renew my license and go back to being a cna before i get admitted in 2012? Or should i just try to remember what i already learned? For me, it would be to brush up other wise, i know what it is like to work as a cna. What do you all think? :crying2:

xInspiredx · Jan 29, 2011

My question now, is should i renew my license and go back to being a cna before i get admitted in 2012? Or should i just try to remember what i already learned? For me, it would be to brush up other wise, i know what it is like to work as a cna. What do you all think?

I would renew your license, and get more experience working as a CNA.

The admissions committee will see that it's a dedication.

MotivatedOne · Jan 29, 2011

My question now, is should i renew my license and go back to being a cna before i get admitted in 2012? Or should i just try to remember what i already learned? For me, it would be to brush up other wise, i know what it is like to work as a cna. What do you all think?

I would go ahead and renew but you may you have to retake the class since it's been a while since you were last certified. Most nursing schools are now requiring you to have your NA certification in order to be accepted. So, basically, you'd already have that pre-requisite taken care of. As far as being a CNA goes...I'd stick with the IT job and maybe work as a CNA part-time/PRN to brush up on your skills...but I certainly wouldn't quit the IT job to work as an NA...

Good Luck!

sonomala · Jan 30, 2011

I got my CNA two years ago as a trial step before going back to college. Once in the course I learned how to balance studying and my kids. Working as a CNA gave me the motivation to go back and finish my degree.