My story...

[popeye131]

Hi everyone, my name is Dan,live in the suburbs of Chicago, and new to this site. I just turned 40 years old and just took all the steps at my community college to get registered for a CNA class starting in August. But now wondering if I should go through with this.

I have been in the HVAC field for 7 years, and I got hurt in 2009,(fell off a 30 foot roof)yep, thats right, and was in a LTC/PT for a couple of months. I reallly liked the people, the staff, interacting with the patients, and just the atmosphere. Everyone noticed, including staff, and said I should enter the medical field when I am recovered. Well I recovered and went back to working at my company in the office and was laid off at the beginning of this year.

So after many failed attempts of looking for similar employment, I wanted to pursue the medical field. I thought that a CNA would be a great way to get my foot in the door.

Here are my concerns:

- Am i tool old to get into this type of work, as I see mostly younger people doing this that are planning to become RN or LPN.

- I see that the pay is low to start, but after years of working do you get to a decent wage?

-Hospitals seem like they are tough to get into. But if you do, do they pay better and would they offer to pay or help pay for furthing your education?

-If I got the CNA, what other jobs could this experience help me get besides a Nurse. I just dont think I have enough time to do all the schooling.

I tried asking these questions at the college, but the advisors were not too helpful, so here I am at this great site. I am a people person, I am upbeat, I love working with people, and think that this is what is calling me.Plus I dont want to go onto anymore rooftops. But I would reallyt appreciate any opinions on this.

Glad to be here, and thanks in advance,

Dan

[MrsStudentNurse]

I'm 24 and one of the youngest at my facility. There are several people in their 40's and a woman who's in her 50's. the pay isn't great but if you get your RN you'll make a good salary. The average of a nurse is 45. You can do it!

[mvm2]

I am 39, and was 38 when I took my CNA classes, so I don't think 40 is too old at all. I work for a Home Care company as a CNA and love it. Your right that the pay is not that great. It works for me since we are using my pay as a second income. If you were not into becoming a nurse maybe you could get a career being an MA for a doctors office. You could work as a CNA as you go to school to become a MA. If I am not mistaken I think it might only take a year of schooling.

Whatever you decide I wish you all the best. It sounds like you have a heart for people which is a great thing to have to become anything in the medical feild

[dotoriffic]

We are in similar boats. I am 43, starting CNA courses in August and this is my second career. You can do this! Best of luck to you!

[schnookimz]

The pay is not decent and I personally don't believe it ever becomes a liveable wage--not around here anyway. Consider becoming an LPN? It's shorter than the RN path.

[blwilliams10]

- Am I too old to get into this type of work, as I see mostly younger people doing this that are planning to become RN or LPN.

No not at all I work with two aides that are in their 70s. Who are in the top 10 workers in my facility. The average age is about 40-45.

- I see that the pay is low to start, but after years of working do you get to a decent wage?

I will be honest we are very underpaid, but a lot of places offer differentials and over time you can make a decent wage.

- Hospitals seem like they are tough to get into. But if you do, do they pay better and would they offer to pay or help pay for furthing your education?

Hospitals are the hardest place to get on with, the positions are coveted and a lot of CNAs apply for them. They in general pay 3-5 dollars more an hour than LTC, HHC, etc. and the benefits are better such as tuition reimbursement.

- If I got the CNA, what other jobs could this experience help me get besides a Nurse. I just don't think I have enough time to do all the schooling.

Well with this one there are a few routes you can go. Once your are a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) you can take an additional course and become a Restorative Nursing Assistant (RNA) or you can take an additional course and become a Certified Medication Technician (CMT). Both of these require working as a CNA for 6 months and then an additional course. Those are the direct branches from CNA.

You could also enroll in a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program which is 13 months and then after that take an LPN to Registered Nurse (RN) program which is about 12 months and become an RN.

Or you could straight to RN school which is about 24 - 36 months and become an RN. If you go to RN school after you finish your fundamentals of nursing class you are able to challenge the CNA state test and become a CNA.

There are also other branches higher up but this is the basic ones.