Nervous

I had the SAME EXACT thoughts before I started my CNA course. I'm very shy, not outspoken at all, so I was very iffy about it all. But I knew nursing was my ultimate goal and I was going to strive and make it no matter what.

Hopefully your classmates are nice and sweet like mine. I met some really cool people and they were always there to help me with something if I didn't understand. Made the environment much better. Now clinicals... Yeah I think everyone has that one resident who will test you because they know you're in training. This guy gave me a very hard time but in the end I knew I had to make him feel comfortable because he was top priority. And before I knew it, I was in "nurse" mode. I had to put all the jitters aside and do what I came to do. So when you're in the moment, I'm sure you'll do the same :)

As for finding a job, I JUST got my certification 2 weeks ago so I'm still on the prowl! Can't really give advice on that one!

You'll do great though. GOOD LUCK!

I was really nervous too. Honestly, I wouldn't even worry about the CNA class itself because it is easy peasy. I was worried I'd perform poorly in the class too, but it was actually a breeze and I totally aced it. Now, the job itself is a different story, especially working in LTC. I was really nervous when I first started my CNA job, and it was HARD. However, if you stick it out it does get better, and I wound up finding a CNA job that's a better fit for me. So don't be nervous, just take things as they come and do your best.

I was really nervous too. Honestly I wouldn't even worry about the CNA class itself because it is easy peasy. I was worried I'd perform poorly in the class too, but it was actually a breeze and I totally aced it. Now, the job itself is a different story, especially working in LTC. I was really nervous when I first started my CNA job, and it was HARD. However, if you stick it out it does get better, and I wound up finding a CNA job that's a better fit for me. So don't be nervous, just take things as they come and do your best.[/quote']

The thing I'm really nervous about is spending all this money ($1,000) on the program and then not being able to find a job since I've read a lot of threads about people having a hard time. I've never had any sort of job before so I'm sure that will be a disadvantage but even if I had some sort of retail job prior would it matter? Retail doesn't have anything to do with cna really so does having experience in another field matter?

The thing I'm really nervous about is spending all this money ($1,000) on the program and then not being able to find a job since I've read a lot of threads about people having a hard time. I've never had any sort of job before so I'm sure that will be a disadvantage but even if I had some sort of retail job prior would it matter? Retail doesn't have anything to do with cna really so does having experience in another field matter?

Well, it depends on where you live, but personally I had no problems finding a CNA job. I had had two jobs in different fields, and after I got certified I found two different CNA jobs where I was basically hired on the spot. It might depend on where you're looking to get hired, though. Nursing homes and home health are usually almost always looking for help; hospitals may be a little harder and often require experience.

Well, it depends on where you live, but personally I had no problems finding a CNA job. I had had two jobs in different fields, and after I got certified I found two different CNA jobs where I was basically hired on the spot. It might depend on where you're looking to get hired, though. Nursing homes and home health are usually almost always looking for help; hospitals may be a little harder and often require experience.

Where I live there's really only one ltc facility near me and one hospital. The rest are about 45 minutes away

There may be many more facilities than you are aware of. Check www.indeedjobs.com as well as Craigslist (surprising, I know). Many, many agencies, especially the smaller ones, will post jobs on Craigslist. I mentioned this to my mom recently because I thought those jobs might be sketchy. She works for a doctor's office and said that's how they find all of their employees. The Docs post there because it's free. They have to pay to post on other hiring sites such as indeedjobs.

I wouldn't recommend going to work for an individual who is hiring someone to care for Mom kind of thing. But, if they are an agency you should be okay. I wasn't aware how many agencies we had in our area until I looked at Craigslist.

Best of luck to you!!