Please understand when I post this I need brutal honesty.
I would rather be told something is a bad idea than be encouraged and fail and be in a worse place than I now am. I am 33 years old, obese likely close to 360-380 lbs. Despite the obvious "you should diet etc.. (which is clearly apparent) I need to know what to do
I was recently laid off of my job, the business closed and laid off 100 workers with virtually overnight notice. A WARN notice was not even filed with the state. I have been looking for a job and the ONLY thing that comes up in my job search are CNA jobs. I have an opportunity as a displaced worker to get a CNA class paid for by the state through unemployment but I am scared to death I will fail the physical or PASS and be unable to do the lifting and other stuff the job requires. Can anyone who knows more about this than I do give me some honest advice. Please let me know if this is worth the effort or not. Thanks.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The problem that may arise is that in order to "work hard" at many CNA jobs you will be on your feet for 12 hours a day. 12 hours a day, booking it back and forth between rooms doing your best to complete an impossible workload.
Although the majority of the acute care hospitals in my city staff with 12-hour shifts, the majority of the facilities where entry level CNAs are working (nursing homes, rehab facilities, LTC, psychiatric hospitals) still staff with 8 hour shifts. Therefore, a shorter shift can be seen as a glimmer of hope for the person who tends to fatigue easily after repetitive physical labor.
If possible, it may benefit you to set up a shadowing experience with a CNA. That will give you a better idea of what the work is like and how well it suits your abilities.
I'm sorry to hear that you were laid off, and I hope you are able to find something you enjoy. Good luck.
I was a CNA, then an LPN. Going from the physically harder job to the less physical job made me put on a few lbs. Then I went off afternoons and to midnights where I sit a lot because I do a lot of paperwork and I've put on even more lbs. You'll probably loose a bunch of weight just by doing the job. It will probably hurt like hell for the first 2 weeks (I had a fellow nurse go off duty when she was sick for a couple weeks and even she hurt going back on days). But it would get better. Be prepared to run your *** off though. Maybe it will be easier to lose weight working a job like that because you'll be too busy to eat except your break and you'll be running around?
I was a CNA before becoming an LPN and I can say it is a very physically demanding job. Not just in the lifting -- you should have mechanical lifts for the heavy stuff -- but more for the running around non-stop. And also lifting patients correctly, even with the lifts, it does require a lot of physical coordination so as to avoid injury to yourself and the patient.
Emotionally, it can be difficult as well. I came in from a non-healthcare related job and I can say it was quite a shock. Even though I had done the course work and knew what I was getting into, it was still difficult to be responsible for such an intimate level of care and to do it in a way that was respectful to the patient.
I did come to love the job though and moved happily into nursing, but that's another story.
I'm not going to say anything about your weight one way or another. I have seen obese CNAs that do just fine, others don't, I think it depends on you and how well you take care of yourself in terms of preventing injury and just maintaining your dietary and hydration needs to be able to do the job safely.
I'm not sure how the market is for CNAs, I've heard it's not great, I know it's bad for nurses, so definitely do a little research before deciding one way or another.
I was a CNA, then an LPN. Going from the physically harder job to the less physical job made me put on a few lbs. Then I went off afternoons and to midnights where I sit a lot because I do a lot of paperwork and I've put on even more lbs. You'll probably loose a bunch of weight just by doing the job. It will probably hurt like hell for the first 2 weeks (I had a fellow nurse go off duty when she was sick for a couple weeks and even she hurt going back on days). But it would get better. Be prepared to run your *** off though. Maybe it will be easier to lose weight working a job like that because you'll be too busy to eat except your break and you'll be running around?
I was thinking about the same thing actually. That doing the work would hurt like hell at first but if I was able to stick it out it is the chance to start a job that really HELPS people and I could always take classes and move up later on. I would be more active and would likely loose weight.
I am not worried as much about employer prejudice, albeit it is a concern as I am being able to do my job well. I know alot of lifting and so forth is involved but I wasn't sure this was something a heavy person would physically be able to do. I will agree I am ignorant COMPLETELY when it comes to understanding how physically demanding the job is. I am sitting here thinking of me lifting a person by myself with no assistance and I wondering how I would manage that. True I haven't had the training and I am sure there are methods taught to do this but I am a bit worried. If it is possible I will try and go for it. I am a very caring person and I love helping people so I know I could likely handle that portion of my job well.
Didn't mean to imply that you were ignorant.. just to those that think it is not doable. I know many skinny nurses that constantly sit down because their feet hurt whereas I have seen some larger ones truly put in the work. Personally, I don't only look at the size of a person to determine if they do they job fully. We all have shortcomings, you know? But your question asked if you would be able to handle the job.. I believe anyone can handle the job as long as they understand it is strenuous and can mentally prepare for the ups and down of being a cna.. which include walking back and forth, bending over, nurses yelling at you, and etc. As someone stated before.. start to exercise.. let your joints feel what is coming up and see if this is what you truly want to do..
I am not worried as much about employer prejudice, albeit it is a concern as I am being able to do my job well. I know alot of lifting and so forth is involved but I wasn't sure this was something a heavy person would physically be able to do. I will agree I am ignorant COMPLETELY when it comes to understanding how physically demanding the job is. I am sitting here thinking of me lifting a person by myself with no assistance and I wondering how I would manage that. True I haven't had the training and I am sure there are methods taught to do this but I am a bit worried. If it is possible I will try and go for it. I am a very caring person and I love helping people so I know I could likely handle that portion of my job well.
I have zero experience in nursing homes (except first semester clinicals in nursing school), so I don't know what is actually done, but I can tell you that no one should be expected to lift a person all alone, unless perhaps with a hoyer lift.
How about a unit secretary/na combo position in a hospital? My local hospital uses these a lot an after I finish my CNA in March I plan to apply for and hopefully get hired for one. You are an RN, right? If so you will def have the med terminology that they seem to want you to have for this position and I'm guessing you know how to use Word, Excel, etc. That's rough news about getting laid off and I hope you find something soon!
Heck I agree with the above. I've worked with many CNAs/PSAs who are overweight and can still do their job, and do it well. Why don't u just say what the hell, and apply anyway? I've been overweight for a while and have so far lost 7-8 kgs, but I still get the job done. Sure you will feel it, but I can guarantee u, once u start running around u will start to tone up and lose weight. It's worked 4 me!
Have some confidence in urself. Ur weight isn't the only thing that makes you a good person. Write down all ur good qualities & emphasise them at the interview.
There are a lot of obese nurses and aids out there. Don't let it stop you. You may have some trouble keeping up at first, but I think you would actually get in better shape from walking the halls. I think you would adjust within a month. I am not obese but VERY pregnant (about to deliver any day) and I do have some troubles fitting into smaller spaces in rooms, which can be embarrassing. I have a bit of a big butt and now a huge belly- sometimes I knock over equipment and water pitchers when I try to squish into a small area. Just be prepared from situations like that.
If after a few months it really is too much for you physically, maybe you can work as a unit secretary (at the nurses station) or maybe even try being a CNA in a psych ward- there is generally less physical care going on. You pass/set up meal trays, vital signs, lighter physical care, (many of them walk) entertain and supervise patients, etc. It isn't as difficult physically as working in a nursing home or hospital.
You could try being a CNA in a psychiatric facility. There is a lot less physical care, although some facilities might have a ward that has patients who need bathing, feeding, toileting, etc. You still need to be able to walk a fair amount. Plus, you'd be expected to be able to physically deal with assaultive patients.
Consider some other type of job training, like paralegal or something else that is not physical.
You might also be able to go on disability until you can lose some weight.
I know it's pretty hard and I wish you all the best.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
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