Is being a CNA really so dreadful?

NightOwl30 · Jun 2, 2014

I think it's a great idea! Esp if you are considering advancing in the nursing career. Our aides are some of the most important staff we have and most of the best nurses I have worked with started off as CNAs. When I went to nursing school it did give me a real edge. Not only in what I had been able to learn from my nurses but also in the fact that I was not intimidated by dealing with patients, families, and other staff members. Now as a not only gives me a better idea of what to expect of my aides but helps me keep a better working relationship with them because I have been in their shoes. They are the ones that spend the most time with a patient and so are the first ones to notice when Ms B is acting a "little strange. "

I think it is a great idea.

lpn2B2016 · Jun 2, 2014

Following this thread also... CNA classes start next month for me also.

jeaniekadinee · Jun 3, 2014

I'm taking my CNA semester right now. I started May 20th. I have a close friend who started out at a Long Term Care Facility. She thought it was hectic for her (everyone is different) and she applied for home health and got the job. She loves her job as a CNA in home health. I think you'll do great. I'm kind of thinking of where I want to apply and if I have the stress management to deal but it will all work itself out once I'm more educated on it :) You'll do great !!!

CNASuzy · Jun 3, 2014

Not to burst your bubble.....we are understaffed, underpaid, and overworked!!! But the hard work makes a difference for the person you are taking care of!!

iTyrizzle87 · Jun 3, 2014

Previous person said it all..overworked, underpaid and understaffed. As far as the work load is concerned, it really depends on which type of facility you work at. Now, this is coming from a former public school science teacher who is making the transition to nursing. Nursing homes will work you to death! They are great for the experience, learning how multi-task and get things right the first time, and gaining independence with your work. Assisted living facilities are much easier, the residents are able to do more for themselves. Home health is by-far the easiest job because, most of the time, you are taking care of one client. Good luck! I would suggest working at as many types of care facilities to broaden your knowledge, and then move onto a LPN/LVN and then RN license. CNA work is gratifying, but at the same time can be exhausting.

Carol Austin · Jun 3, 2014

My course starts on the 19th!! I am so Excited! getting into nursing is something I have always wanted to do! One of my main concerns after the course is finding work...I see alot of places hiring for CNA's but they require you to have a minimum of 1 years experience, Which I understand! It just worries me a little

Rosina · Jun 3, 2014

Hi Lacrimosa, Being a cna is a great career, especially if you want to become a nurse or another healthcare occupation. Yes, sometimes it seems like a lot of work but time management is the key to being on top of things. When one works at long term care, a permanent assignment is given or floating around from wing to wing is another option. I know where I work, on my assignment I have 10 residents to get up everyday (7-3 shift) and not everyone is an absolute total. Some are assist or some I just have to remind to get out of bed for breakfast. So about 5 out of those 10 residents I have to do all the adl's for and the rest either assist or remind. Its not bad at all because when downtime comes, it can be anywhere from 30 to an hour but it really depends on the facility but I'm just talking about the one I work at. Also, the facility I work at is a no lift facility, so there are hoya lifts and sara lifts for people who are to heavy or people who can not bear weight on there legs. The pay is good compared to other jobs, one usually gets started of with 12 dollars an hour, whereas assistant living is 9-9.50 an hour, which isn't bad but long term care is better. I would be writing all day if I wrote all the details but you should consider this career if you care about people, especially the geriatric and if you are a strong individual that can deal with multitasking. Its a try, if you don't like it you can always do something else in healthcare or something else you would like but give this a try, i think you'll love it.

SeattleJess · Jun 3, 2014

My course starts on the 19th!! I am so Excited! getting into nursing is something I have always wanted to do! One of my main concerns after the course is finding work...I see alot of places hiring for CNA's but they require you to have a minimum of 1 years experience, Which I understand! It just worries me a little

I think getting your CNA is a great idea. Even if you can't find a job, it is still a great head start on nursing. One of the colleges where I applied to nursing school requires a CNA license as a prerequisite (though thankfully not employment) so students can hit the ground running. Another uses the point system and gives huge amounts of points for CNA and EMT experience.

However, don't give up on getting work as a CNA before you start looking. Maybe seed the field before you start? Start volunteering NOW at a LTC? Do as much patient care as the facility will allow. Go into your clinical work in your CNA class with eyes wide open looking for a job. Get names and contact info of your supervisors to use as references, ask them about job leads, ask everyone at your facility about job opportunities, etc. And you may be able to stretch that into CNA time on those computer screening applications that everyone seems to have nowadays asking the length of your experience. (I used my CNA "clinical rotations" and a college work-study job for a quadriplegic I've lost touch with just to jump through that hoop.)

In my experience, competition for CNA jobs is fierce. The good news is that facilities seem to be looking for skills in addition to just knowing how to perform the basic skills. Prioritization is critical as it is true that CNAs are worked to death in long-term care. They certainly aren't paid commensurate with the value of their work!

I'll be starting nursing school this fall and have been looking for CNA work full-time 'til school starts and then per diem once it does. That's an extra difficulty because anyone who hires me for a job will need to mess with staffing again in three months. I'm signed up with a home health service and I hafta tell ya, my advice is don't do that. You don't get the experience you get in a facility - in fact, you can end up with a lot of ironing, errands, cooking and companionship - and you are exposed to risky situations. Of course, my primary motivation is acquiring skills for nursing school, not maxing income and minimizing effort for a long-term job

The down side of any profession is that you will probably at some point work like a dog for relatively low pay. Associate lawyers start out making less than a seasoned legal secretary/paralegal and work 70-80 hours a week. Nurses aren't the only ones who run after the carrot!

Best of luck to you. I think you're on the right track.

jjjones9009 · Jun 3, 2014

If your thinking of Becoming a RN, I believe becoming a CNA is and will be very beneficial. I've heard the same things....CNA's are overworked and underpaid. BUT try to think about the positives, because there are many positives about being/becoming a CNA...take my word for it

Carol Austin · Jun 3, 2014

I think getting your CNA is a great idea. Even if you can't find a job, it is still a great head start on nursing. One of the colleges where I applied to nursing school requires a CNA license as a prerequisite (though thankfully not employment) so students can hit the ground running. Another uses the point system and gives huge amounts of points for CNA and EMT experience.
However, don't give up on getting work as a CNA before you start looking. Maybe seed the field before you start? Start volunteering NOW at a LTC? Do as much patient care as the facility will allow. Go into your clinical work in your CNA class with eyes wide open looking for a job. Get names and contact info of your supervisors to use as references, ask them about job leads, ask everyone at your facility about job opportunities, etc. And you may be able to stretch that into CNA time on those computer screening applications that everyone seems to have nowadays asking the length of your experience. (I used my CNA "clinical rotations" and a college work-study job for a quadriplegic I've lost touch with just to jump through that hoop.)
In my experience, competition for CNA jobs is fierce. The good news is that facilities seem to be looking for skills in addition to just knowing how to perform the basic skills. Prioritization is critical as it is true that CNAs are worked to death in long-term care. They certainly aren't paid commensurate with the value of their work!
I'll be starting nursing school this fall and have been looking for CNA work full-time 'til school starts and then per diem once it does. That's an extra difficulty because anyone who hires me for a job will need to mess with staffing again in three months. I'm signed up with a home health service and I hafta tell ya, my advice is don't do that. You don't get the experience you get in a facility - in fact, you can end up with a lot of ironing, errands, cooking and companionship - and you are exposed to risky situations. Of course, my primary motivation is acquiring skills for nursing school, not maxing income and minimizing effort for a long-term job
The down side of any profession is that you will probably at some point work like a dog for relatively low pay. Associate lawyers start out making less than a seasoned legal secretary/paralegal and work 70-80 hours a week. Nurses aren't the only ones who run after the carrot!
Best of luck to you. I think you're on the right track.

Thank you so much!! I'm very much looking forward to it! It's something I know I would enjoy even if we are overworked and I hope to make it to RN someday! :) Best of luck to you in nursing school!!

SeattleJess · Jun 4, 2014

Thank you so much!! I'm very much looking forward to it! It's something I know I would enjoy even if we are overworked and I hope to make it to RN someday! :) Best of luck to you in nursing school!!

If you enjoy CNA work, then you know you were born to be a nurse! They are the closest people to the patients/residents and they perform a huge service. My sense is you will be an awesome CNA and an awesome nurse. I have no doubt you will make it to RN if that's what you want!

:nurse: :nurse:

(You 'n' me in a few years.)