UnbreakableOne

Yeah that is so true! Good thing I'm confident in all I do, and never let someone's opinion dictate my future desires! Just good to hear from others that being an LPN is all they wanted to do, even if that's where you want to stop!

I have been a CNA for almost 10 years, I am currently on a waitlist for an LPN school. I was just wondering, does anyone here just want to be an LPN and not continue on to RN? It gets so irritating when people ASSUME you are going to get your RN! I'm always happy to say nope! LPN is my focus now, who is to say being an RN isn't in my future. But as of now I have no desire to become an RN. I work in a hospital side by side with nurses and don't get me wrong, I love my nurses, but do not desire to do all that they do. The money is great but the stress that I see my nurses endure is not healthy! Not to say it is this way of course with all nurses but it has become the norm. I think a lot of them get into it for the money and in return end up miserable. Not trying to put any RN's down as I very much love my nurses that I work with and respect what they do. I just get so tired of the assumption that I am "going for my RN after LPN" and that being an LPN isn't a career, and all the "you should just go straight to the RN program!!!" No thanks! Can anyone else relate???

So sorry you are seeing the realistic world of being a CNA (in the LTC setting at least)!!! I started out as a CNA in a nursing home and needless to say it was horrible! But I stayed a year and told myself this is only temporary as I know what I wanted to do with my career. There are many other areas to work as a CNA. I now work in a hospital which is great but you still will have times when you are short staffed and over worked, even in the hospital setting. It just gets easier with time and experience and you learn what to expect and how to deal with issues as they arise. I'm not going to tell you to stick it out, but don't throw in the towel yet. Look into a hospital position or maybe even home health! Good luck to you!

I just wanted to add I also just put my name on the list end of May so the wait begins!! I am hoping there isn't more than a 2 semester wait, Lord knows how impatient I am but it will be well worth it in the end !

Well it depends on your location. I live in Phoenix where there are hundreds of nursing homes and the like. It took me a month to find a job after I got my CNA number. For your first CNA job, you shold just take what you can and not be picky trying to get into hospitals and clinics. As others have said, hospital work is not always better than nursing homes. There is a lot of work to be done in a hospital and tons of showers to be done! Anyway try applying to some nursing homes and then after 6 months of so apply at hospitals...clinics....

I have been a CNA for about 2 months and can say I feel pretty comfortable, but not 100% competent or anything. Week by week I gain experience and feel more confident. I guess it just depends on your workplace. I have 12-18 patients to care for depending on the day and if anyone calls off of work, so my workload changes which is sometimes added stress. I say by 3 months you should be feeling more comfortable it just depends on your workplace environment.

It just takes time to feel comfortable. I am a new CNA and was thrown on the floor with 16 patients! So imagine the stress I went through, although its only temporary. I have been a CNA for only a month and I am just beginning to feel like I can somewhat breathe while i'm at work. I still make mistakes and need help with things sometimes. It's okay though and don't let it discourage you because eventually you will feel more competent as time goes on. Good luck to you.

I was in your shoes just a month ago. I got my certification and it took me about 3 weeks to find a job, so I am a new CNA. Anyhow, I just mapped all the nursing homes in my area, because hospitals usually only accept online apps, and went in person to the nursing homes, filled out applications and pretty much harassed them until they would hire me. In the days we live in now, jobs just dont land in your lap anymore, you- must be a go getter and be determined to get hired. Thats how I was. I felt like it was taking me forever to get employement but ended up hired one month after my certification. If I can do it, you can too. I was hired at a popular nursing home that required experience and I had none. Most nursing homes don't care if you have experience or not. My goal is to work in a hospital as well but in order to get experience I am happy that I have my job at a nursing home, despite it being hell sometimes...anyways good luck.

OP, I feel your pain. I too just started a new CNA job this week. I am a brand new CNA and only got ONE day orientation! It has been hell to say the least and I ask myself why I even signed up for this. It is sad how the majority of LTC's are run. Other CNA's are constantly caling off, leaving you to take care of 18 plus patients all alone...that is just plain crazy for someone new to the field. Hell thats crazy for an experienced CNA!! They throw you out there are expect you to know how to do everything and then get frustrated when you don't...I am going to TRY to stick it out until I can get in a hospital or at least another facility that gives a crap about having competent employees. I don't realy have any advice just know that you are not alone in feeling this way. Wish you the best, keep us posted.

I'm in Phoenix. I work at a LTC, base pay is 10.50. Shift differentials 2-3 dollars more. Weekends another 3 dollars. So I make between 13.00-16.00 dollars per hour. With no experience.

Im ok with the idea of working at a nursing home, but after I get a job and experience I do want to work in a hospital...did you find it difficult to land a hospital job?

I do not have a job yet...it has been hell trying to find one. I guess it just depends on location. Living in such a big city like phoenix, finding any job right now is just ridiculously hard, at least it has been for me and those without experience. Don't mean to be discouraging just letting you know my situation and how many others are having difficulty finding employment. If going for your CNA is something you really want than all the best to you...keep us updated.

I just found out my CNA license number through the Arizona Board of Nursing online verification website today which is awesome because I have been told no one will even consider hiring me until I have that number (yes I have applied to numerous places anyway)...My question is, do I get some type of card in the mail or is it all online?? No one told me if I would be receiving anything by mail or anything with my number on it for that matter. I really need a job and may be getting hired soon with a nursing home but they stressed that they need that number. So is the online verification good enough or am I supposed to be waiting for something by mail? Ahhh, I have been through so much and just wanna start working already!! lol, thanks to those who answer.

I'm not from Florida but no you don't have to take your watch off just make sure to thoroughly was your hands and wrists also. As for having a second hand watch, I don't know if it is required in Florida, but I know I was required to have one for my state test though in Arizona. I actually prefer the second hand watch...And the skills most tested will definitely vary. The day I took my test, with 6 other people, everyone had to do Bedpan and Output, TPR or blood pressure, the other 3 were random and of course handwashing, everyone gets. The 4 skills I had were: 1. Bedpan and Output 2. Mouthcare of Comatose Pt. 3. Anti-embolic Stocking 4. TPR So best of luck to you let us know how it turns out!

Hello all, I may have an interview with them in a week and even though its not concreate yet, I am still very excited to even be considered! A little side note about me: I am a newly certified nurse assistant (well waiting on my number) and have applied to numerous facilities and have been having a hard time finding work. I am the least bit picky about where I work, I just need a JOB!!!! That is why this interview will be so important to me and although I am worried about pay, it won't stop me from taking a pay cut just to get my foot in the door. So I was just wondering if anyone has experience with Life Care Centers of America and might know how much they pay. I know it varies from region to region (I am in the southwest region) and just curious. I know it is probably hard work and may not be the best conditions but being paid more than minimum wage may make it easier to cope with the idea lol. Anyway thanks to those who have some answers!!