KaseyC

Hey guys! Thanks for the interaction and sharing your experiences. Im 4 1/2 months into working full time as a PCT in post-op. It's been a huge change from my pervious life both for the good and with some new challenges/dilemmas. Im at a very busy/large hospital that serves a lot of the economically challenged parts of town....week days are typically 80-120 surgeries and we are understaffed as CNA's and in general in the hospital. I've meet some great people as coworkers but whew, there's quite a few are very challenging and make the job much harder.....not sure what is the environment or just individuals, prob. combo of both. Regardless, its been a VERY clear window into the down and dirty of nursing. I learned what Im drawn too and what Im not. Being more on the introverted/intellectual/with a lot curiosity into the medical side of things Im very drawn to wanting understand and know what is going on with patients and possible solutions ...etc. Unfortunately Im not finding a lot common ground on an intellectual or curiosity level with most nurses. Seems most just want to talk about what they did on their days off, vacations, what they bought....etc. NOT that anything is wrong with any of this....BUT just trying find my niche because I very genuienly have a deep interest in preventative health, nutrition, exercise, helping resolved chronic disease, etc. Seems when I bring up these subjects most just give me the blank eye, I guess naively I expected more common interest. It seems a lot are burned and just want the pay check. Who knows maybe working 20 years Id be the same?? It's just made question if "nursing" is the right path? The money, 3 days, and security ARE very appealing but finding the right niche is my challenge. Good luck everybody and thanks for sharing.

Spokes and Coffee, Thanks for the insight, very interesting......and yes I am prepared for it to be different at least as much as one can without having actually done it and realize there's pro's and con's and trade offs. I realize it's hard to see until you're immersed in it though...so fingers crossed. I just passed my state boards for CNA and am now waiting for fingerprinting to go through before I can apply, and still have science Pre req's to get through before applying to nursing school. Wish it was a quicker process BUT doing the CNA training was positive and gave m a better picture of the overall nursing process and confirmed for myself Im on the right track. I realized my years of training and experience as a musician esp. the preparing for concerts, gigs etc. really helped me get through the "skills" portion of the CNA......maybe it's age thing as well BUT I have a good grasp on the not being over confident aspect and understanding that the "actual" "real life" situations will require experience and that's where the real learning takes place. Onward and forward! Thanks again! KC

Steve Jones, Good luck! Im sure your varied background will help! KC

Back2School4LPN, Very cool! and congrats! Thanks for reaching out.....Curious how long was your LPN training? I just finished a CNA program and take the state test in a few days.....Going to explore gradual climb perhaps to LPN then RN. At least going through the CNA training Im glad I AM older.....Im finding that life experience is giving me a little advantage in the sense of not being over confident about my abilities .....and understanding the "actual" experience will be a bit different than what school teaches. Good luck! KC

Medicchris, Hey sorry didn't see this when you responded. Very cool, and sounds like you've got a good situation, and best of luck to you! I just finished a 4 week CNA cert. course and take the state test in a few days. Enjoyed the course, and confirmed for my self its the right direction, a little nervous doing the actual CNA work, cleaning in particular! However Im of the philosophy of starting at foundation and working up......doing this course has given me an appreciation of the fundamentals of the nursing process. Will work as a CNA while Im finishing some science pre reqs. Hoping work in a hospital but here it's tough without experience to land there. At least in Vegas though last I checked there was something like 190 CNA jobs on the listings, so fingers crossed. Thanks for reaching out!

Mike, Haha, have a 2005 PRS McCarty ....my favorite electric! You? Thanks much for the response and insight. Hoping my years of teaching and performing (which is dealing with sometimes tremendous pressure and also dealing with all spectrums of people) will help! I was so certain and intertwined in my career as a musician for so long this is all a little disorienting, although nervous Im looking forward to learning new things and challenges and learning about myself in new ways. Will def. take your advice to heart when I begin. Thanks buddy!! KC

Hey guys, Curious how many are around my age (46) and made a career change? I've been a professional guitarist, college instructor and private music teacher for many years ....but health care has always intrigued me and the nursing route is something I've been pondering for over a year. When Covid hit it pretty much flattened my music career for both performing and teaching, so Im taking this blessing/curse to start down a new life path in medicine. Starting pre req's for my ADN in the Spring, and considering getting a CNA certification to start working in the field. Anybody else on a similar path or have been? Kind of scary at this age, but I take very good care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually ....so I feel up to the challenge and am truly excited about the new venture. Thanks for any insight or just resonance!

Hi!, Im a 46 year old male returning to college for an eventual career change to nursing. This Spring I will begin the science pre req's I didn't have in my previous college years as a musician. Im seriously considering getting my CNA certification to get experience in the field of which I have zero for in health care. Wondering if there are any other males around my age headed for the same?? Or any words of wisdom from anybody who have gone the CNA route before school. Good idea?? THANKS!!