AmandaS<3

I am just starting my second week this coming week lol so its still pretty fresh & new. but we start our first day of clinicals on thursday, & so im kinda nervous. Honestly, im not sure if the ltc/nursing homes is "for me." I definitely would have NOO problem working there at all but i always wanted to work in a hospital. specifically w/ cancer patients

OMG! how inappropiate! Errrghhhh... yeah well right now I'm in CNA training class and oh how i LOVE it! Our instructor does such a good job at telling us just how important CNA's are to the team. Yes we do wipe butt. Yes we do clean up vomit. Yes it is part of the job description. No thats not what our job is all about though. Its just that small part in taking care of other people. What do they expect? When people age... they just magically stop urinating & pooping? Its really frustrating anyway I love my class and I'm really happy about the job decisions Ive made for myself. :)

Oops! I mean't "she" to FuzzyWuzzy.

Thanks for all your replies :-) I know I haven't even started as a CNA yet, and I guess I was just curious and looking for more positive threads about being a CNA, but like FuzzyWuzzy said I understand where he is coming from. Thanks all!

I've been doing a LOT of reading up about the whole job description of a CNA, along w/ a lot of forums w/ people's opinions and stories. Is it just me or does it seem like when this question is asked, "Do you like being a CNA?" Everyone basically just moans and gripes about it? For example, "Being a CNA sucks!" or "All you do is the grunt work, not enough pay, and you get hit/yelled at/pinched/kicked all day!" Of course, CNA's are going to do the grunt work... It's called starting from the bottom and working your way up. It would be like in any workplace if you're starting at the bottom. It'll usually never be what you WANT to do. It just makes me kind of sad to hear some of the things that people say about their job and especially about what they have to do. I mean, of course no one likes to pick up feces/vomit/whatever! but from what I've read these people are making it sound like they didn't even know the job description before they started. I've done a LOTTTT of research and I already am expecting to be overworked, stressed, changing out a lot of bedpans, and dealing with tempermental residents. All I think about is... How would I feel if I was in that position? I would be completely humiliated if I couldn't make it to the bathroom on time and had to call someone in to clean up my mess or how awkward it would be to have someone bathe ME because I can't. And yes I do know there is going to be those residents who, well, milk it out knowing there's someone who's always there to do anything for you. However then you got just the people who honestly don't even want to be helped let alone touched. Anyway about the low pay, I live in Oregon and the average pay rate for a CNA is 12-15 dollars/hour. Which is definitely not bad over here! I just feel like I ALWAYS see people who HATE this job and have a lot to complain about. I wanna hear some positive things people! There has to be SOME people who enjoy being a CNA and those 'little things' that make their day just an itty bit better. Please reply if you DO love being a CNA & why! -People who don't enjoy it, don't reply.

Alright yeah, all that makes sense. Just because you're going into a CNA training course obviously doesn't mean you ARE a CNA. Only after you pass the state exam, and I know for sure that there is a certification exam after the six weeks. Thank you all for replying with your input. I'm really excited for this class. Being a nurse is my dream job, and in my opinion becoming a CNA first is a great way. Not that I would personally know, but through what everyone has said to me and doing my research. But it's different for everyone! I've heard that through 'free' training (which is what I'm doing), you'll usually be obligated to work at that facility for a certain amount of time. I guess that could work both ways, it basically guarantees you a job, but if you don't neccesarily care for the environment then that is sort of a downer. The nursing home in which I'm taking the class actually doesn't expect you to start working there. They offer it to the students but you don't have take it. So I think it's kinda a good deal! I think my first choice would to be in a hospital setting but I don't have any experience anywhere to really know. PS. If you work in an hospital, can you choose to work on a certain floor? For example I would love to work w/ the cancer patients (which in the hospital I would want to work in, anything that has to do w/ cancer has it's own floor.) My dad was a cancer patient for along time... And honestly, that time of my life & being in the hospital for that period of time was when I knew I wanted to become a nurse. Sorry for the huge reply!

Ah I see. That makes me feel better. I guess I am just starting to become nervous and anxious about this class, that I'm now overthinking everything!

I don't really think that's the case. I think it just depends on who is teaching you. Of course they're gonna teach you what you absolutley NEED to know, they want you to pass. But I know there ARE instructors who want you to strive to be the best you can be as a CNA. Like I said, maybe not all intructors, but there is a lot who want and teach the opposite of your statement.

I'm pretty sure that this class is meant for hopeful CNA's. Because why else would there be a certification exam at the end (6 weeks of training fyi.)

What's the difference between a NA and a CNA? I know that NA isn't classified as being certified (which obviously involves a certification exam.) I'm starting my first CNA class on monday, and thinking/reading back to the emails between the instructor & I, she always referred it to the NA class. When I had my interview w/ her, I kept referring to it as a CNA class, and how great this class would be to get started in my chosen career path. The class I already know involves hands on training/clinicals, book work, LOTS of studying, homework, and an exam at the end. LOL I know this is probably a stupid question, but I just wanna make sure! ?

Hey all! In about a week or so I will be starting a CNA training program through a local nursing/retirement home. I'm really excited! Becoming a nurse is my dream job! And taking a CNA class is a great stepping stone in that direction in my opinion. I have been doing a lot of research and reading up on everything possible (what to expect, duties/responsibilities, people's opinions & stories, etc...) I was just wondering if any of you on here were in the same boat as I am? New CNA's w/ some advice, students atm, or anybody just about to take a class aswell. Like I said, I'm really excited but also kind of nervous. I know it's a training program but I don't want to mess up or have my instructor think I'm not right for the job, or once I start working independently... will the nurses really be that mean as everyone describes? And yes the whole point is I'm being TRAINED, but still. I know they're not gonna expect me to know everything & do everything perfectly. I'm also kind of nervous of working w/ elderly people just because I've heard of stories of nurses/CNA's being attacked! Lol... Please reply & let me know anything YOU think I should I know! :)