Is there a spot for CNA's on this forum?

I've been working as a CNA (here at Mayo the position is Patient Care Assistant) for about 2 1/2 years and going to nursing school. I'm assuming that, because of my having done direct care for several years, clinicals seem to be a little easier for me.

My work schedule is juggled around my school schedule. I don't know if that is how it is in other places, but I give my Nurse Manager my school schedule and she schedules my work days based on my school days. I had to switch from 8 days/2 weeks to 6 days/2 weeks--school was just too difficult otherwise what with family obligations.

Before becoming a CNA, I was a technical writer at IBM and was laid off. Had always wanted to be a nurse and decided it was time to find out if I REALLY wanted to be a nurse. Got my CNA and have been working at one of the Mayo Clinic hospitals since. I like the personal interaction and the direct patient care. I work on a Heme/Onc floor and the people are usually very very sick and need a lot of TLC. I would like to continue on the same type of floor in a different state.

Bottom line, if you can afford to leave your job and become a CNA, it would certainly open your eyes to the hospital and nursing world! I say go for it if you can!

I forgot to mention that in Minnesota, at least at the Mayo Clinic, CNA's are part of the Local 21 union (I think restaurant, hotel workers, catering, etc.). I think the starting pay now for CNAs is about $13.00/hr.

Nursemike,

That did help a lot. Thank you! If you don't mind me asking, what was it that you did. Or, do you know of any other hospital positions that would allow a flexible schedule and decent pay? I know CNA's a terribly underpaid...

I was, and will be for about another week, a sort of orderly/housekeeper/errand boy. It entails patient transport, cleaning patient rooms, getting people in and out of bed, etc.

Not unique to my hospital, but not available in every hospital, either. Many places have housekeepers do all cleaning and an escort department for all transports, or have no transporters and leave it to nurses and CNAs.

My job paid just a little less than an aide's, and while I wasn't responsible for bedpans and baths, a lot of larger patients need extra muscle. I passed up a chance to see a lumbar puncture in clinicals because I've held patients in position for one many times. I've "assisted" doctors and nurses with a variety of procedures, although my assistance is often simply acting as the world's smartest restraint device.

My job required only a high school diploma and the ability to lift and push, but it was an opportunity to learn, and once I started nursing school, many nurses I work with made it a point to call me when they needed a hand with something, especially something interesting. Most of the better-paying clinical jobs require some sort of formal training, although our aides don't technically have to be CNA certified and can be hired off the street, like my buddy was.

At my school, I was eligible to sit for CNA certification after my first year. In some states, I gather, you can sit for LPN after a year, which would be one way to gain experience and make a semi-decent income. There are other jobs, like surg-tech, that can be had with vocational school, that pay a little better than CNA. Another friend worked her way through school as a home health aide. But I'd have to say CNA is by far the best preperation for bedside nursing, if that's what you're aiming for.

CNA's are nurses to.........Dont let anyone tell you differently.

Check the state laws.

Marie, former CNA (not a nurse then either) of 11 years.

Check the state laws.

Marie, former CNA (not a nurse then either) of 11 years.

I agree the title "nurse" has to be earned, but I know you didn't mean to suggest that aides aren't a valued part of the nursing team, or that the OP wasn't welcome.

Hey, good luck with your RN!

but I know you didn't mean to suggest that aides aren't a valued part of the nursing team, or that the OP wasn't welcome.

No, i didn't, and i apologize if it seems that way.

I am a nursing assistant. :) I took the CNA class through the American Red Cross and worked on the cardiac floor at a local hospital for a year. I am going to be starting a new job at the University cancer hospital as a cna on monday! Yay! I love being a cna and am taking prereq's to enter the nursing program. I love taking care of patients. I don't think it will "turn you off" from being a nurse, it just opens your eyes to see what nurses really do and see if you are a good fit. Sure you have the hard jobs sometimes with bedbaths, incontinent patients, frequent callers, etc. but the things we do are really important and vital to the patients. It means everything when a patient can remember your name and thanks you for what you've done. I find it very rewarding.

Keely

I'm looking to hear from with CNA's who are working towards their nursing degree. In what types of facilities do you work? What does the majority of the day consist of? Are your hours flexible? What do you love/hate most about the job? If I totally missed the board for CNA's please be kind and direct me to it! Thanks!:)

I wish they had a forum specifically for CNA's. I was taking the CNA class and I passed my CNA exam last night. YAY ME!!!!

Not sure where I'll be getting a job though. So many places are hiring CNA's. More than likely, I'll go to the hospital so I can get my CNA II certification.

I've also been taking my pre-reqs and related courses for the Associate Degree Nursing program at my school. I'm hoping to start the actual nursing program next Spring. I still have to take A&P 1 and 2, Oral Communications, Intro Algebra, and Developmental Psych.

I wish they had a forum specifically for CNA's. I was taking the CNA class and I passed my CNA exam last night. YAY ME!!!!

Not sure where I'll be getting a job though. So many places are hiring CNA's. More than likely, I'll go to the hospital so I can get my CNA II certification.

I've also been taking my pre-reqs and related courses for the Associate Degree Nursing program at my school. I'm hoping to start the actual nursing program next Spring. I still have to take A&P 1 and 2, Oral Communications, Intro Algebra, and Developmental Psych.

Many of the CNA's posting here are going to school to become RNs. Try the nursing student forum. You may get more input from fellow CNA's.

Be well.

CNA's are nurses to.........Dont let anyone tell you differently.

Nope, they are not.

.

CNA's, RN's, LPN's, NA's, and so forth all contribute to the circle of care........Nursing care that is

Just as do dietary, PT, OT, ST, SW and case management, pharmacy, etc. All important people of the healthcare team just as are CNAs. However none of them are nurses either.

Nope, they are not.

.

Just as do dietary, PT, OT, ST, SW and case management, pharmacy, etc. All important people of the healthcare team just as are CNAs. However none of them are nurses either.

Nobody is calling a PT, OT, ST, SW, and so forth a nurse.......Where did that come from?

Im not saying a CNA can go around and tell people they are nurses, but they are a crucial part of the nursing profession...In many states they are governed by the nursing board, and in many states by the state department of health.

I do agree though, a CNA shouldnt go around and say they are a nurse....BUt if someone were to ask, what department do you work in, THey can say nursing.....I guess that was my overall intention of that statement.

I used to be a CNA and now am continuing my ed to be an LPN. I worked at a ltc facility and although I loved the people and the work I hated the environment, we were underpaid, overworked, and treated badly. For those reasons I don't know that I would ever work at a ltc facility again, but I do know people that love being a CNA and work in a great place. I love helping people and hope to continue in another ave of helping people, that's all!

If you do get turned off try switching to another hospital or facility and make sure you ask yourself why you are being turned off, is it because of inadequacies in the facility or is it the aspects of the job? Hope you find the right path