I'm 4'10 and worried I am too small to be cna

[M.Scarborough]

I'm 4'10 and 110 I dont have a lot of musle mass. I worked in a nursing home bringing paitens to the dining room, i had to help them in and out of their chairs to the wheel chair. It was really difficult for me to help some of the paitents who were bigger. I struggled alot and was extreamly nervous and scared that i would lose grip or drop them. i just start my cna classes in a week and im getting really nervous about it. I also am kind of worried about the bating and changing and the whole hygine thing. Its already making me uncomfortable thinking about it.

someone please help! im starting to think i can't do this.

[Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN]

We had a set of twins at our hospital who were CNA's. They were each 4'8" and no more than 95lbs each soaking wet. One worked on Oncology and the other on med surge. They were there for over 15 years each and were damn good.

Look inside and you'll find your answer.

[AaronsMommyxx]

Im 5'3" which I know is bigger, but I'm an excellent CNA & I dont have much muscle mass either. Gait belts helt extremely. You can also use a lift, or better yet, ASK another CNA for help :) If you're worried, you're supposed to ask for help to lift & transfers residents anyway. Hope that helps xx

[Cortisol]

Don't worry! I'm 5'8", and my partner in my CNA class was barely 5'0" tall, if that. I also worked at a nursing home where there was a very tiny CNA. She was well under 5'0".

I also just wanted to point out that after you have a little bit of experience as a CNA, you could apply for a hospital position in the neonatal intensive care unit or the pediatric floor if you prefer working with smaller patients.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

I'm 5'3" and 115 lbs and I don't have any problems. They teach you the techniques in class, so you learn how to transfer people without them feeling like dead weight. It's still scary at first, even when you're practicing on your classmates, but after a while you get used to it. Normally when you get a job you'll be training with someone for a while and transferring with them, so you ease into it even more.

[systoly]

dito to above and have seen lots of physicaly big, but rather ineffective CNAs

as one of my drills (probably 5'5") in basic kept harping on, "size don't matter"

I wasn't going to find out

seriously, being tall isn't always helpful

[CelesteR903]

I'm 4'11 and 130lbs and do fine. You'll find once you start working you'll build up muscles and find how to move your patients. It did take me a few weeks to be confident enough to do it alone but I have no problem now.

[joonil.choe]

Hey don't feel that way! Like everyone has said, size doesn't matter! As long as your willing to work hard. Also it is very common to have help in transferring patients.

[M.Scarborough]

Wow that was a quick response! THank you all so much for the advice and encouragement! I feel a lot better and am getting really excited for school!

[Poi Dog]

It's all in the technique

You'll be fine.

[MySonIsAdorable]

Once of the VN students at my campus & clinical class is a shortie, she is just as good with transfers as we are. Just make sure you protect yourself, just as we all should learn how to properly transfer & protect our bodies. Good luck if you want it bad enough anything is possible.

I have a bone condition that does not allow me to put my hands in the supine position called congenital radial-ulnar synostosis its no big deal to me, I can do everything my own way and just as well if not better than other students...the only time it bothers me is when someone barely notices & I have to explain but just like with any difference between others you can grow a tough skin and let that push you to work harder to overcome others judgments...believe in yourself and others will follow :)

[mizfradd, CNA]

You may be short in stature, but you sound big in heart.

You will do great, don't worry!