Is being a CNA a good choice for me?

Specialties Geriatric

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Hello, I have a question for experienced CNAs. I'm a senior in high school and considering getting my CNA certificate in the summer before I start college in august to be a L&D Nurse. I love helping others and it does my heart well when I know I'm doing something good. But I have questioned being a CNA in a LTC Facility because I've heard it's a lot of lifting. Is this true? Because I weigh 117 pounds and my mom tells me my weight might not be good for the job. What should I expect? Should I not get my CNA? HELP PLEASE.

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Hello I have a question for experienced CNAs. I'm a senior in high school and considering getting my CNA certificate in the summer before I start college in august to be a L&D Nurse. I love helping others and it does my heart well when I know I'm doing something good. But I have questioned being a CNA in a LTC Facility because I've heard it's a lot of lifting. Is this true? Because I weigh 117 pounds and my mom tells me my weight might not be good for the job. What should I expect? Should I not get my CNA? HELP PLEASE.[/quote']

I used to be a CNA and worked with several very petite girls who did just fine. You would be educated on proper lifting and moving techniques, plus, most residents who require assistance are required to have 2 or more CNAs and you'll have lifts for many as well. But it is physically demanding, don't get me wrong.

I would strongly suggest you keep an open mind about the area of nursing you want to go into. It seems like every new wide eyed nursing student wants to be an L&D nurse, but most (including me) are startled to realize its not all healthy pink babies and happy mothers. I ended up having a passion for elder care! Also...just be prepared that it might take years before you'd be able to land an L&D position. They don't open up often.

Anyway good luck to you, and there's no reason to believe your weight would be a barrier to your working as a CNA.

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THANKYOU!!! Will definitely take your advice into consideration.

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Hello, I have a question for experienced CNAs. I'm a senior in high school and considering getting my CNA certificate in the summer before I start college in august to be a L&D Nurse. I love helping others and it does my heart well when I know I'm doing something good. But I have questioned being a CNA in a LTC Facility because I've heard it's a lot of lifting. Is this true? Because I weigh 117 pounds and my mom tells me my weight might not be good for the job. What should I expect? Should I not get my CNA? HELP PLEASE.

Get your CNA license. Some nursing programs will offer some credit in their program for your CNA experience. I even got out of a lab course because I am a CNA.

It is a physically demanding job. It comes with the field. As a nurse, there are times will you be doing the exact same lifts and turns as an aide. However, a key part to CNA training is how to safely work. They will stress that you need to make sure you can lift the patient safely if it's a one assist. If you can't, you ask a nurse or another aide to help you.

Also, keep your doors open when it comes to nursing. I wanted to become an operating room RN. I recently did my ER clinicals. Loved. Every. Minute. So keep your striving for your goals and don't miss the chance for the extra patient care experience and skills. It really does help down the road (most nursing homes offer some form of scholarship/tuition assistance so even more of a bonus.) :).

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

In principle it's a very good thing

my suggestion, spend time in the CNA

forum to get a taste of the real world

the milk and honey does not flow over

and you often have to make tough choices

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There's no minimum weight to be a cna lol!! Do it, it is really smart to get clinical experience before nursing school.

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GET YOUR CNA!

It will be well worth it! You learn so much as a CNA! How to take vitals (whats normal/abnormal), transfers, and basic patient care. I can't tell you how much I love my job. I have learned so much from the nurses I work under--they are all amazing and will answer any question you have about patients (or anything else for that matter.) It is busy--don't get that wrong. You are on you feet and bust you ass from clock in to clock out--but there is nothing like hands on patient care.

Lifting isn't bad at all. I am a little person as well 5'4 and 120 lbs--and I can lift most people on my own. You just need to learn proper body mechanics and you will be fine. If they need more than 1 person to lift them--it will be on their care plan. So don't let that scare you. There is for sure no weight requirement to be a CNA.

I have had my CNA for a year and half--best decision I have ever made. It really gets your foot through the door of the healthcare field. I think it has helped me get the fear of taking care of another person out of the way. You wipe butts, see all kids of body fluids, see naked people, do after life care, and even see some patients heal and go home. You gain so much experience that will be learned in Nursing school anyways so why not get it out of the way now?

I would strongly recommend it!! You won't regret it!

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