evack5318

Yes, I did lift some of the lighter patients on my own. I could easily lift some kids. Sometimes when I work with females, which is the majority, I feel like I'm the one exerting more, but when I work with a male or an experienced CNA the day seems easier. Two CNAs always work together by the way. I have a simple back strain, so I should make a recovery. I'm just glad I brought my back pain to attention before it got really serious. I'm just a little depressed about it because I just started working there. I will continue to improve on my body mechanics and strength.

Thanks for your responses, guys. I figured, sooner or later I'd have to hit the gym. lol. I am going to physical therapy, and when I'm cleared by my therapist, I'll start lifting some weights. As far as my nursing options go. It's a tough deal to make. I am going to become a nurse, and If I go LVN/LPN, that means being limited to only LTC or doctor's offices. It will take around a year for schooling. On the flipside, I could just stick out for a year and a half at my junior college and apply to the R.N program, and within two years, get my license -- eventually go towards a BSN. My goal is to one day work in a hospital's ED I may just avoid LVN all together, the biggest reason I was considering it was because they seem to do all the physically light work, as compared to the CNA's (in LTC) who are going around lifting people all the time. Nurses do it on occasion, which doesn't sound like a bad deal, and I'll get to save my back instead of working as a CNA for three years until I become a R.N. I could also find lighter CNA work like in Assisted Living.

It helps when you get into Nursing school, that way you won't get that shock and awe feeling when you start doing basic nursing skills. It's definitely a plus if you're a CNA before you become a Nurse. Once you're a Nurse, though, I think it doesn't really matter. It'd be admirable, for sure; and you'll get some respect from any CNAs you work with, because you've been in their shoes. One of the Nurses who I've worked with was a CNA, and she really helped me out as when I first started as a CNA, she even helped me with the CNA work, even though she was an R.N. I've also met Nurses who weren't CNAs and wouldn't help for squat with basic care. I just think the general consensus is that Nurses who were prior aides have more empathy than Nurses who weren't. That's about it.

Hello everyone. I am currently working at a pediatrics LTC. I'm 20, but I'd say I'm pretty lanky, around 5'10. I'm also one of the very few male CNA's there. I'm a little down because I recently got a back strain, and now I will be unable to work for a week. I had to 'dump' my patients on another CNA, while I went to the urgent care. And I've already been working there for almost three months. I'm very grateful that I'm able to work with children, (being that majority of CNAs work sub-acute) but some of them, especially the teenagers are heavy. Some of the girls I work with pointed that I should start going to the gym more because they really need MEN to help them lift patients. I'm the lightest male CNA at my facility, so I'm not very strong. I'm really trying, but I'm also hurting myself in the process. I know I should stand up to these girls more, and I will. I just need a little advice. On the other side, I really want to become a Nurse, I love my job, it's just I find the lifting all the time, very stressful. The people are also stressful, but I ignore them. I also am thinking of ditching my plans to go to RN school to being a LVN/LPN, because it's quicker. I was originally planning to work as a CNA while I try to earn my ADN, but I don't think I'll be able to work as a CNA for three plus years. And I think the LVN-RN bridge programs will be easier to get into. Thanks.