new C.N.A. with a few questions

[mimerz]

I decided to get my C.N.A after living with and caring for a man with severe CP for 4 years. After seeing what its like for the C.N.A.'s in LTC I am not sure if thats my cup of tea.. I know that I do not like the idea of RUSHING and having the overwhelment of tasks! I prefer to spend more time with my patients... watch them make impovements and reach goals. I am aware that the nursing field has many different paths and LTC is not my only option.. I have heard a bit about training for an R.N.A(restorative nursing assistant) and it sounds like something I mite really enjoy. Have any of you worked as an R.N.A and what do you think about it? Will I be able to find a job as an R.N.A.? What would this road lead me to? What other options may be good for me?

thanks! hope you all can give me hand in making the right decisions. :heartbeat:yeah:

[rn2bn07, BSN, RN]

R.N.A.= C.N.A Same thing different name, patient care, vitals, feeding, assissting with daily living needs, ect....

[filumena]

I am a CNA and understand your concerns. During my training, we were assigned 1 resident on our clinical days. I really enjoyed getting to know this lady, helping her with her ADL's, and spending time getting to know her throughout my shifts with her. Boy, was I in for a shock when I began working at my first job as a CNA with an assignment of 15 residents! Call lights ringing off the hook, literally RUNNING from room to room, working on people like an assembly line. It was awful--I spent so many nights crying all through my drive home. I quit after 6 mo. and found a facility with--this is key--a LOW pt:staff ratio. I now have 6 residents and I love my job. My point is, you can find a good CNA job where you don't have to be rushed all the time-- just ask about their staffing ratios in your interview. Also, might I suggest working for a "private duty" or homecare agency? They hire CNA's to care for 1 client only. This may be more your cup of tea as well. Hope some of this helped. Good luck to you!

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

What about in home care? You get one patient at a time, and you're helping them in their own home. I always felt good about what I was doing when I did in home care.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

I agree with Virgo. If 1:1 time is what you desire, that'll be your best bet. May have to take a bus or drive further, but if you like the job more why not?

[casi, ASN, RN]

Since you worked with a client that had CP (I'm assuming cerebral palsy) and enjoyed that why not look into working in a group home for the developmentally disabled. They often hire CNAs.