caskey09

I understand how you are feeling but you are being wayyy too hard on yourself!!! You are only a few days off of orientation! I know how you feel because I am in training too...just graduated from my class today. I also have had a rough start too...I hurt my back on the second week of clinicals and had to go on light duty and have workers comp pay for my doctors visit. I was highly embarrassed that I was the new girl and already hurt myself...but it happens all the time! Just like you being new and making mistakes...so does that!!! There have been people who have been really understanding to me being new and others who are mean and seem irritable. Some nurses just think that they are better than you but thats because they are getting **** on too and have allowed themselves to get bitter. I honestly think that you are going to be on that next schedule and are just being super hard on yourself. your nervousness and low confidence is what is making you have those little slipups...just allow yourself to be new and ask a ton of questions. Also remember that because you are PRN it will take you longer to train and adjust to your floor. Every single person around you has been new at one point or another. Don't give up!!! We have all been there. Hang in there!!!!! :) :)

I am in the same boat as you!! I just finished my first week of clinicals and I was shaking bad when we went up to the floors for the first time. Honestly though...its mainly shadowing and your cna that you are with will expect you to be nervous and to make mistakes. I am more nervous now about getting onto the floor I am going to be working on. Just keep at it...you'll be fine. :) I was in the food industry too and thought my people skills would help but this is so different and nervewracking...but after my first couple patients I felt more comfortable.

1feistymama: I am so glad that i am not the only one making a HUGE career change...from food management to the nursing world. I was so unhappy feeling as if I was making no difference for anyone. Making a sandwich and taking inventory is not exactly helping people. Also working for just a paycheck is so miserable!! Good luck in your CNA journey and through school...you are definitely making the right decision... you sound very committed. :) Lets keep posting and keep each other updated through our journeys since we are both starting around the same time. I'll let you know how mine is going since I start a couple weeks ahead of you.

I was in the same boat as you! I just got accepted at an LTC facility for their CNA training class...they pay you for the classes and you are hired immediately. They also guarantee you a job while being certified and after fulltime. I found out the information online. Just go to all the job sites and search for CNA trainee. There are also websites that show you which facilities train you for free or paid!

Where are you located? Also have you created a resume? I just got accepted into a class at a LTC facility... they train and certify you while paying you, and then you are guaranteed a job. I would suggest trying to find a facility that offers that... they are more willing to hire people that have no experience.(Even though you don't need the class and won't be taking it) As for a resume I would attach that to every application that you fill out...it will make you stand out more than other applicants. I was worried because I had no experience in anything nursing related, but I listed all of my jobs and also personal reasons as to why I wanted to do this such as compassion, etc. Also list all clinical experience that you do have. Keep searching! You will find something, even if it is home healthcare. May have to lower your expectations to find something to get that initial experience and then be on you way. :) I suggest moving your post to the CNA forum... might get some replys since more cnas are on that one. I wish you lots of luck!!!

Thanks blwiliams10! I am so glad there is someone else with the immediate hands on experience...seems everyone else has taken a class thru community college. But why pay for it when you can get paid to do it on top of having employment? I am so glad to hear you love your job. I have wanted to do it for years and finally got the chance! I like that you were realistic about there reallly are days you want to just run away...I expect that but my gut tells me that I will love doing this. I love people in general. When you went from days to nights did you mean you went to nocs? The facility I am going to be working at has all shifts available, but I think they may start their new cna's on the 3 to 11 because it does seem slower paced. So I am thankful for that... 7 to 3 seemed a bit overwhelming the few times I went in to get TB testing. I really appreciate the encouragement and you sharing your story with me!! :)

Congrats! I can't really answer your question because I start my classes on Tuesday and am just as nervous and excited as you! Where are you taking yours? Is it a facility or college? I am taking mine at a LTC facility that offers a paid class and then hires you on. I am nervous as to the class is only 2 weeks before shadowing and working on a floor. How long is yours? Glad to know there are others out there on the same journey as me!!

CNA Classes | CNA Training & Certification | CNAClasses.org American Red Cross | Disaster Relief, CPR Certification, Donate Blood http://www.arna.net Your best bet is to do a search of all health facilities in your area, hospitals, LTC facilities(nursing homes, assisted living etc) and go onto their job postings. They post the classes usually in the job section. Since you probably don't have any experience in healthcare on your resume just list your past work experiences and why they relate some. Example would be waitressing, dealing with people etc. Also personal qualities about yourself such as a strong desire to help people, compassion etc. I was nervous about how to even get in and what to put on a resume so thats what ultimately got me the call.

mvm2- No contract! From what I have heard majority of places don't make you sign. The facility offers a lot of benefits etc I think to try and get people to stay working there.

Yeah, they pay you to take the class and get certified...all while having a job guaranteed to you after you learn all the skills. So many facilities offer it...there are websites that show all of the places that offer it in your area. Just do some research! Its a great opportunity for someone who has to pay bills while getting education (like me) and also keeps you from spending 500-1000 dollars and taking the risk of even finding a job after certification.

congrats on going for your CNA!! I start mine next tuesday and am very excited. I have the exact same career goals as you...and have been looking online and doing research for some time now. The class that I am taking is paid for thru a specialty LTC facility and they pay you for training and certification and you are hired immediately! Try doing your class that way...will save a lot of money in the long run. It took me forever to give up my job as a manager at subway but I finally got miserable enough to push me to go for my dreams. Having my classes paid for and having a job right after was an amazing opportunity for me. I know majority of LTC facilities do pay for the classes, as well as many hospitals. That way you could get in even if at first as a CNA. Just call around and research like I did! I plan to do the CNA for a year or so before going for phlebotomy to give me an advantage to get into a hospital versus just having my CNA certification. I wish you luck on your journey. PS. (most facilities offer these classes monthly, and there are websites that show you locally for your area who offers the classes as well as their contact information.)

I live in Pittsburgh area...just got hired at a LTC facility and am starting out at $8 for 2 weeks for the class and certification test, up to $9.75 for job shadowing for 2 weeks, then $11.16 an hour on the 3 to 11 shift permanently. (plus .75 extra every other weekend). Hope that helps!!!

A little late on the post...but just wanted to let you know that you are NOT alone! I completely sympathize because I also am a former self injurer and have very obvious scars on my arms. I am starting a new job as a CNA at an LTC facility, and I am just as nervous as you are for people to see mine and what their judgements will be. I recently had to go in to get my TB testing done, and felt highly embarrassed due to the fact that there was barely even a place that there wasn't a scar to even place the needle. I think that at first it is going to be hard, but rarely do people ever ask questions. I have worked other jobs where long sleeves weren't an option and only once had someone ask a question about it. My former supervisor, who's son was a cutter. Today's society most people realize what it is, and if anything they aren't going to think that you are weird..just feel bad that you have struggled. I think that once people get to know you they will realize that your scars don't define you and will forget that they are even there. Honestly who goes around staring at other people's arms? Most people won't even notice. It isn't their business. Your scars represent your struggle, and they are probably (at least for me) the reason you went into this profession of helping other people. And wearing long sleeves in 100 degree weather is abnormal...more so than just wearing short sleeves, being comfortable and getting past the initial "weirdness" of having scars. Don't let it bring you down...it makes you the strong person you are today. :)

Thanks so much for the reply!! As for the class total time is for 2 weeks... first few days are classroom work and then off to clinicals. After the two weeks of the class, you go onto a floor for 2 weeks to a month and then during that time you take your certification testing. (all is paid for by the facility). My only worry is that the class is a short period of time. The woman that interviewed me was the teacher of the class, and she was really cool and super nice...so that is always a plus...she said she tests every single day so that the skills test is easy when it comes time for certification. I am really excited to be getting paid to get training all while having a job directly afterwards. For ick factor I think you are right..I will be so concerned with making someone uncomfortable that I think I can handle myself...last thing on earth I want to do is hurt someone's feelings!! I have heard about using vicks vaporub under the nose which I am definitely going to try...its really just smells that get me so if I can't smell it no worries. haha Thanks so much :)

Hello all! I have been creeping around and finally decided to post! I recently got accepted into st. john's specialty care center's cna program (LTC facility in Mars, PA) and am super excited but also sooo nervous! I have wanted to do this for soooo long...my lifelong goal is to help people and do something that matters. I used to be a manager at subway, and always knew that it wasn't the job for me...making sandwiches just doesn't fulfill me or make any difference for anyone. The first two weeks of the class are clinicals (which takes place on 7-3) and then after that I will be shadowing for a couple weeks and go onto my shift on 3-11. Does anyone have any advice or similar situation or words of encouragement? I am so worried about the whole experience... I think just because I have wanted to do it for so long that I finallly got my chance. 3-11 is also going to be a big adjustment for me since my last job (manager at subway) was all daylight and the latest I worked was 7. I also feel worried about the "ick" factor of the job...I don't want bodily functions to deter me from my dreams...I think it will just be the initial exposure. Poop and pee really don't bother me, I just worry because any gross smell makes me gag!! That is one of my worst nightmares! So to sum it all up... Experiences on 3 to 11 to share? How to overcome the gag reflex and not make anyone uncomfortable? Is the CNA class hard, going out onto the floor a big adjustment? Anyone out there love their job (compassionate people like me) :) Thanks in advance guys!! Really appreciate any comments, experiences of encouragement.