Male CNA student

havehope · Aug 30, 2013

1.) Where I work there are no male CNA’s, so I don’t know if they get hit on/flirted with. However, as a female when mainly old guys try flirting or what not, I just take it as a compliment and say “thank you!” and simply change the subject or walk away to prevent me being embarrassed or saying something I shouldn’t. This approach has always worked for me. Just don’t let it get that far, if at all possible.

2.) Of course being told you should be an RN is a compliment. I would start out like your doing first and get your CNA, it will not only give you experience but that will be something that “stands out” on your nursing application.

3.) I think that there needs to be more male CNA’s and nurses for that matter. For one, when we need to pull a heavy person up in bed we have some good help :-). Nursing isn’t only for females...we need males too.

4.) It all depends on your family/financial issues. If family isn’t a problem and money isn’t a problem I would go straight for RN as you will be done faster, and earlier you said that is what you really want in the end anyway.

When you do become a CNA and you are on the floor without anyone helping you (a preceptor, etc.), remember to prioritize, because it does get extremely busy especially in the hospital. If someone needs to go to the bathroom but someone wants you to get them a drink, take that person to the bathroom because if you wait long enough chances are they already went anyway because no one came in time and helped them. Also, in a hospital, nurses are willing to help you...just ask for it, most of them really don’t mind. Also, having a routine which you will develop one as you get experience helps a whole lot. Good luck!

lightout · Aug 30, 2013

I have found a lot of the older southern ladies do not want a younger male or any male doing some things for them. I have also found that a lot of the male residents like having a male working with them.

I did get flirted with a lot and it's best to smile and depending on there mental capacity small talk helps a lot, but be careful of what you say.

It depends on the residents to how well the female coworkers will like you. If there are a lot of residence that will not let male CNA's help with the bathroom or with showers then it will become a PITA for your coworkers. If you work somewhere that it's not an issue they will love to have a man to help lift all the time.

Working around a lot of female staff you will hear a lot of things that you probably will not want to hear about.

jfrink23 · Aug 30, 2013

Alright thank you guys! just wanted a little more insite on becoming a cna and an RN, i really like it so far, and like i said my teach is the director of nursing at my clinical site and she said i really shoud be an RN which is awesomee

Thanks for the feedback!

DrkCocoMurse215 · Aug 30, 2013

As male cna I've had patients, female and even make, flirt with me and even had staff borderline sexual harass me. Also sound that a lot of the older generation females maybe uneasy about a male giving them care such as baths, help to the bathroom, etc. Some will deal with it and some will flat out refuse care. Don't get offended or take it personal, they're just old school and were brought a different way, and they're the ones who sometimes have to suffer and wait for the next available person to help them by their choice. Despite that, more men are needed in nursing and it has it's perks because schools and employers want more men in nursing so it's kind of an edge. Now don't stop at cna. Lpn to RN was the best route for me but can't say it is for you. Depends on your financial and personal situations and what works best for you as long as you don't stop getting your education.

emily12345 · Aug 31, 2013

I'm sure patients would flirt with you. I've had make patients flirt with me but nothing that crossed the line. Where I did my clinicals there was one male cna and everyone loved him. He told me that I was the best student he's worked with and that I'm good at what I do. For me that was a big compliment because I felt lost and a little awkward but if a task needed to be done I was on it. I think your teacher telling you to become an rn is a huge compliment! The medical field loves men! Personally I would go straight for your rn but that's totally up to you. I would love to work with a male cna because with a bulging disc in my back, it's hard for me to lift some of the bigger patients up. (I know my back will only get worse as I stay in the medical field.) I absolutely love helping the less fortunate. Even if its a thankless and not so good paying job. I say go for it!!

Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B · Sep 4, 2013

Hello, I am new to this site and to the profession i just want to start off by adding some background info: I am a 19 year old cna student currently in my 2nd week of clinicals, in my class of 21 i am the only male.

Wow, in my class of 20 something, there were 6 of us male.

My teacher is also the director of nursing at my clinical site, and i just had a few questions and comments to make on here, so please respond feedback would be greatly appreciated!!
Questions:
1: I am just curious, do male cna's get hit on and flirted with a lot? and how do you deal with this i dont want it to cost my job you know

If you act professional, then you get treated with respect. If you act like a big flirt, it will cause nothing but problems and give you a bad rep.

2: As previously mentioned my cna instructor is also a director of nursing, and her and a few RNs there have told me i should really become an RN that i would be a good one, how good of a compliment do you think that is? i really want to be an rn too! which i never said to anyone

It sounds like from what you said, you have a natural talent for this. Look into what a nurse does and see if it is for you. Don't be embarrassed for being a male nurse in front of your friends. At parties when you roll up with several of your coworkers, they will stop laughing when they see who you get to work with everyday.

3: For the female cna's out there, what are your honest opinions on male cna's?

No comment on the female perspective, but when they need help transferring a Pt, they are darn sure happy I am there...my stats: 6'2" 225 lbs.

4: and finally i was thinking of going on to get my lpn then go back to be an RN is this a good approach?

Just do your Associates for Nursing. You sound young and can afford to stay with some parents for a while. Use this opportunity to go to school.

Comments: So far i am really liking it, my teacher loves me, and my fellow classmates all seem to like me and one even has a crush on me i think haha!

I know your 19 and male, but keep work and personal life separate as much as possible. If you concerned about what female CNA's think about you, you may want to pick another field. Especially after you dump one female CNA for another female CNA.

I kinda stumbled upon being a cna and i think it really suits me, everyday after clinicals i always feel really good about myself and happy. I would recommend becoming a cna to any guy that is caring and feels good about helping others.
I feel like this is kinda like my calling i feel i will really excell in the healthcare field and becoming an awesome nurse! and maybe even a future director of nursing!! :)

What is great is that you found early on something you like. When you get to go to work doing something you enjoy, your whole life is better including the ones in your life. I get a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction from being a CNA. I also plan on becoming an ER Nurse and Paramedic. You may want to look at working ER/Trauma and Flight Nurse.

This is all coming from a CNA who drinks beer, loves guns, America, God, Call of Duty, does his own oil changes and has a B.S in Finance.

PM me if you have any other questions.

blwilliams10 · Sep 5, 2013

1. As a male CNA/nursing student I do notice I get hit on by staff and PTs male and female. My best advice is just take the compliment and change the topic. You don't want to get your personal life mixed with your professional life. I'm 20 years old and have also noticed a lot of the older female staff takes a parental attachment to me if they know me very good.

2. Yes this is a very good compliment, I have gotten it before and it makes me feel good and know I'm doing the right thing.

3. I'm not female so couldn't say anything on that, but I know that most everyone likes to work with me because I can help with lifting.

4. That is route I'm going to school and I like it.

penny186, ADN, BSN, CNA, RN · Sep 6, 2013

I have been a cna for a while and am currently obtaining my bsn. Please work on the floor as a cna for at least a year before making the decision to get your rn. You are new to the field and you will soon find out that cna class and clinical s are nothing like working in the floor. Being a cna day after day is stressful and backbreaking and you will learn how you are supposed to do things vs how you have to do things due to time constraints. However, the field is very rewarding and I almost regret going for my bsn because as a cna I make such a difference in peoples lives. Observe what nurses do and get to know the field before you make a decision. You will become a great cna as time goes on, but at first it can be intimidating. However, after a couple months you will be awesome. The world needs more male cnas because for the most part, they create less drama than female cnas and are fun to work with. Good luck!

jfrink23 · Sep 10, 2013

Thanks for all the insight!

Last week I wnet in and shadowed the only other male that works there and he is an RN so i got some good feedback and stuff from him, and i talked to my teacher and asked a bunch of questions and i think im going to go get my associates in nursing then go and finish up to my bachelors, then maybe possibly get up to the masters degree down the road. We have 4 clinical days left then its final test time and graduation. I can honestly say i really like it so far, ive dealt with some gross situations obviously but it didnt phase me and i just got through it and thats it, and at the end of the day it makes me feel pretty good that i can improve multiple peoples quality of life! I finally starting to get over the being the only guy in class and being shy and it seems like you can get a lot of respect from people, when they ask i tell them i am going for my cna then to be an RN and i get a lot of respect for it :) I think down the road i eventually want to be a director of nursing or something like that, i have a knack for business and i guess natural talent in the healthcare field so that would be perfect for me.

I really appreciate all the feedback everyone :) I shall keep you posted as i continue on in the field! :)

jfrink23 · Apr 24, 2014

Just an update on my progress so far, I graduated with a 94 on the final, got a job not even a week afterwards,

I am currently working in an assisted living facility for mentally and behaviorally disabled people, i love it!

So now i am a CNA and through work i also got cpr/first aid, PMT training and im also med cert now.

Any ideas on how i can go with all those certs together?

And as for the RN part i really want to do that im thinking of going for the 4 years working as an RN for at least a year. Ive been looking into becoming an APRN or DNP, being an anethisist looks interesting too. Any advice and info on those 3? Thanks so much!