Lots of CNA Queshtions...Please Help!

samsam22, CNA · Sep 19, 2008

you will get more of a response if you post this in the CNA forums :)

if you click on students at the top, then on CNA forum link, post that there and more CNA's can help you...

Also- what type of "horror" stories are you talking about ? O.o

and as for pay, its pretty low in most places, CNA's working home health where i live in southern california only make a dollar over minimum wage so like 9 dollars, some in nursing homes make about 10, then in a hospital about 12-13.. but thats with no experience.

I love being a CNA and its a great job while doing nursing school stuff, i really enjoy it and for me being only 18 and making 12.50 in a hospital.... thats like making a bagillion dollars! I think though maybe for someone older with bills that may not be enough. i know people who dont like it at all, but i just love it

rholman · Sep 19, 2008

Hi everyone!
I am new to this board. I have lots of queshtions about becoming a CNA. I am 32yrs old and live in Florida near the Orlando area. I am married and have 2 boys that are in Elementry school. I been a SAHM for about 10 years so haven't been working just taking care of my family but that lots of work lol! Anyway, I been really thinking about becoming a CNA. I called a place that has a CNA course the lady I spoke to there said that there is a high demand for CNA's so not to be worried that they don't do job placement after there course that I would be able to find a job at a hospital. I have been reading that alot of the hospitals don't hire unless you have 6 months or more experience. Is that true? Another questhion I have was how long does it take to get the actual certificate after you take the test and pass? What would someone in the Orlando area make as far as pay with no CNA experience? I would need to work the night shift like 7pm-7am or 11pm-7am something along those hours. I have just read and heard so many stories about CNA's that I am a bit worried about spending over $400.00 for a CNA course. I think it would be something I would enjoy and find rewarding but I am a little skeptical because of all the horror stories I have read and heard. Can someone give me some input or any info. I would really appreciate it!

Ironically, I have been looking into CNA classes and employment this week. Florida Hospital starts with a base pay of $8.50 however they would like to you to have some experience, however I called a nursing home in St Cloud this morning and they said they are always hiring CNA, pay would depend on experience. I don't think you we will have any problems finding a job, even if we have to go throught a home heath agency and get experience and then apply at a hospital. $400.00 is great, I called a place this morning and they were charging $700. Night shift shouldn't be too difficult to acquire since most people want the day shift.

I was a home health aid about 15 years ago in New York and I worked in a TLC for a while doing transport. I really like working with the elderly, it is very rewarding.

Good Luck and go for it. I certainly will:yeah:

Hopeful76 · Sep 20, 2008

Ironically, I have been looking into CNA classes and employment this week. Florida Hospital starts with a base pay of $8.50 however they would like to you to have some experience, however I called a nursing home in St Cloud this morning and they said they are always hiring CNA, pay would depend on experience. I don't think you we will have any problems finding a job, even if we have to go throught a home heath agency and get experience and then apply at a hospital. $400.00 is great, I called a place this morning and they were charging $700. Night shift shouldn't be too difficult to acquire since most people want the day shift.
I was a home health aid about 15 years ago in New York and I worked in a TLC for a while doing transport. I really like working with the elderly, it is very rewarding.
Good Luck and go for it. I certainly will:yeah:

If you are interested I have the website with all the info about taking the CNA course for a little over $400.00 if your a FL resident for more than 5 years they give you a bit of a discount. I am new to this site so I am not sure if I can post the site here. It is on Orange Ave in downtown Orlando. You can take a week of day classes or a week of night classes or 2 weekend classes then you chose a day when you want to take the exam. The lady had told me that there is a big demand for CNA's in the hospital and I shouldn't have a problem getting a job there but then I read that alot of times you have to have some experience to get into a hospital.

Hopeful76 · Sep 20, 2008

you will get more of a response if you post this in the CNA forums :)
if you click on students at the top, then on CNA forum link, post that there and more CNA's can help you...
Also- what type of "horror" stories are you talking about ? O.o
and as for pay, its pretty low in most places, CNA's working home health where i live in southern california only make a dollar over minimum wage so like 9 dollars, some in nursing homes make about 10, then in a hospital about 12-13.. but thats with no experience.
I love being a CNA and its a great job while doing nursing school stuff, i really enjoy it and for me being only 18 and making 12.50 in a hospital.... thats like making a bagillion dollars! I think though maybe for someone older with bills that may not be enough. i know people who dont like it at all, but i just love it

That is a good amount of pay IMO especially with you being only 18yrs old. The horror stories I have heard are things like don't do it you would be better off working in the kitchen or a housekeeper making about the same amount of pay then going room to room wiping butts all night. Then some say it's not worth all the back pain you will get and how scared I will get when you hear them screaming or moaning and groaning how bad the conditions are going to be. I know everyone has a opinion. I just wished I could go experience it first then go take a course and know that is what I really want to do than spend over $400.00 to take a course then to find out it isn't worth it. I guess I will never know until I go do it. But, there is something inside of me that says to go do it.

rholman · Sep 20, 2008

If you are interested I have the website with all the info about taking the CNA course for a little over $400.00 if your a FL resident for more than 5 years they give you a bit of a discount. I am new to this site so I am not sure if I can post the site here. It is on Orange Ave in downtown Orlando. You can take a week of day classes or a week of night classes or 2 weekend classes then you chose a day when you want to take the exam. The lady had told me that there is a big demand for CNA's in the hospital and I shouldn't have a problem getting a job there but then I read that alot of times you have to have some experience to get into a hospital.

I think we may be going to the same place. The name is CNA school or something like that. I will be attending the weekend classes, I think its' 2 full weekends. I work full time and attend seminole community college twice a week for classes to apply to their RN program, so the weekends are my only option. When do you plan to attend? I was thinking about December after fall semester is over or November. I was looking at their website yesterday and the weekend classes are full for this month and most of next month.

samsam22, CNA · Sep 20, 2008

well, yeah people moan and groan, and it can be scary at first, but you just have to understand they can be in pain...or you can go in and see why they moan and groan and try to help them out or just see whats wrong to find someone that can help them!

as for wiping butts, well all nurses usually have to do that at some point, just depends how you look at it i think, dont think of it as something nasty, think of it as this person cannot help themself right now, and they need me to do something that a person needs done everyday! everyone needs a clean bottom :)

after a while doing things like this doesnt seem gross anymore, you get used to it, then you start to really enjoy it, well at least i do, i just love people

i think you should try it, even though it is 400 dollars... do you really wanna look back and go *boy i wish i would have gave that a shot* then you will go on wondering how it would have been if you tried it. if something inside you tells you to do it, then do it! some people just have this nursing type *urge* inside of them to help people, i know i am one of those people, and you could be as well :nurse:

Hopeful76 · Sep 20, 2008

I think we may be going to the same place. The name is CNA school or something like that. I will be attending the weekend classes, I think its' 2 full weekends. I work full time and attend seminole community college twice a week for classes to apply to their RN program, so the weekends are my only option. When do you plan to attend? I was thinking about December after fall semester is over or November. I was looking at their website yesterday and the weekend classes are full for this month and most of next month.

It sounds like it may be the same place. The place is on Orange Ave in downtown Orlando. I called yesterday and she told me they had a opening next weekend I would have to go 2 weekends in a row or they had a opening on the 29th of this month and Oct.13th for night classes. I am going to go ahead and call on Monday.

Hopeful76 · Sep 20, 2008

well, yeah people moan and groan, and it can be scary at first, but you just have to understand they can be in pain...or you can go in and see why they moan and groan and try to help them out or just see whats wrong to find someone that can help them!
as for wiping butts, well all nurses usually have to do that at some point, just depends how you look at it i think, dont think of it as something nasty, think of it as this person cannot help themself right now, and they need me to do something that a person needs done everyday! everyone needs a clean bottom :)
after a while doing things like this doesnt seem gross anymore, you get used to it, then you start to really enjoy it, well at least i do, i just love people
i think you should try it, even though it is 400 dollars... do you really wanna look back and go *boy i wish i would have gave that a shot* then you will go on wondering how it would have been if you tried it. if something inside you tells you to do it, then do it! some people just have this nursing type *urge* inside of them to help people, i know i am one of those people, and you could be as well

I think I am one of those people to! I been a SAHM for a long time now and I been taking care of my kids and family for a long time so I am not scared to wipe butts lol! I also helped when my dad was very sick he was in need of a liver & kidney transplant so I went through alot with him being sick and helping him and also being at hospice before he passed there. I know I want to help people.

shelly304 · Sep 20, 2008

There are many LTC facilities that will put you thru training for free and pay for your state exam. I did not have to sign a contract of employment. I worked as a CNA during nursing school and it was great!

Go for it and good luck!

I am so sorry you lost your father. He was lucky to have you to care for him.