Is it too late for me?

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Hello all :) So as I have been preparing for this summer, I have been faced with a dilemma.

My junior year of high school I took a CNA course through the local community college and got certified in late June. I am now a freshman in college.

I chose not to get a job because I was already very busy with my job as a dance teacher, and I was overly involved with tough high school classes and extracurriculars.

I now deeply regret this mistake of not working. I live in IL, so certification expires after you do not work as a CNA for two years.

If I were able to get a job this summer (before I hit my two year mark)- Would I be too rusty to work as a CNA?

I still have my old books..... But it has been nearly 2 years since those classes.

Any advice? I am very nervous to even begin to think about trying to adjust as a CNA. I loved my clinicals, but I just am afraid that I will not be able to catch up...

(Info on me: I start the nursing program second semester my sophomore year. So I have two semesters left of pre-reqs. I have already been accepted into the nursing program (4 year traditional BSN)

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

If you have already been accepted in the nursing program then you must not require working as CNE to help you achieve your goal of being a nurse. You priority is now getting the grades you need to stay in nursing school and get a license. You should work only if needed and then only if you can work around school. School is the priority.

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Since you have already been accepted at your nursing program, see no reason why you should worry about working as a CNA unless you really needed the income. Without enthusiasm for the job, it would be a burden you don't need during nursing school.

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Oops, I forgot to mention this. I am talking about a summer job! I do not plan on working during the school year :)

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If you really have a passion to do this over the summer, many nursing homes (at least the ones I know personally or from word of mouth) give you a couple weeks of training first. So you can feel comfortable then.

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The place I would be considering is a nursing home about 15 min away from me! I am just afraid my skills would be too rusty, ya know? I may just have to take a leap of faith haha :)

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Most of the CNA skills are feeding, bathing, and other personal care items... Its truly the way you would want to be treated. As in if you were unable to perform these basic skills yourself. You might be rusty but, you would get the hang of it in no time. However, its not a job for the light hearted person. Its a very hard job emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Only work if you want to, also in Nursing 101 you will learn the same skills over again so its no biggy. Just know that you can touch a patient and be comfortable with patient care is the biggest hurdle for some people.

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Thank you for your response :) I am hoping that I would catch on quickly again to everything. And you are right... Many of the duties of a CNA are personal care. So I would definitely remember to treat others how I would like to be cared for :)

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