Quit my job. CNA Yes or No?

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I just put in my two week notice at a job I have been working at for 7 years. (non medical career) I am still on the waiting list for local tech school. Should I go for my CNA until I get picked or get another job? I would guess I will get picked for January. I live in Florida so most of the CNA's are nursing homes. I'm not sure I want to go that route. I am very apprehensive. Anyone work in a Florida Nursing home as a CNA? Is it worth a try?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

This may sound like the easy way out but hear me out ;) I admire CNAs but I could never be one, especially in a nursing home. Im getting ready to graduate LPN school and during clinicals we served as the CNA AND the nurse. It was hard work. And I just cant justify the work for the pay. At least with my LPN I will be making a decent living, and I will soon go for my RN. CNAs work so hard for such little pay and recognition, it just doesnt make sense.

Now I will say that the CNA's were good at clinicals bc they already had patient care down pat, AND they will probably have an easy time finding jobs bc they have prior experience in healthcare. So if you look at it from that point of view it might be worth it. Also I think it would be sooo hard to do with school. I worked part time but in a coffee shop so it wasnt super hard labor or anything, and even then I was tired all the time. I couldnt imagine going to school, going to clinicals, studying, AND working as a CNA. I think u would get burned out badly.

One other option u may want to look into is a Psych Tech. They hire them in Psychiatric hospitals, detox centers, etc. I have a friend who did this night shift PRN and she said she basically got paid to show up. All she really did was vitals. The good news is no cleaning up poop all day long. There is a detox center here that Im thinking of working for as a tech while I wait to sit for boards, then work as a pool LPN when I get my license. Its not hard work and it would be decent money.

Good luck and hope u get in the January class!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I just put in my two week notice at a job I have been working at for 7 years. (non medical career) I am still on the waiting list for local tech school. Should I go for my CNA until I get picked or get another job? I would guess I will get picked for January. I live in Florida so most of the CNA's are nursing homes. I'm not sure I want to go that route. I am very apprehensive. Anyone work in a Florida Nursing home as a CNA? Is it worth a try?

How about working for a hospital? We're dying for good help, and we'll train you, especially if you are heading to nursing school. If the school you'll be going to is the one I think it is, you might even have clinicals at one or more of our hospitals. The last person I referred to our hospital works as a Unit Secretary and she loves it.

Please take the video tour first by clicking on the lower left corner link.

http://baycarejobs.com/

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That is a great idea. Before both my parents passed away, they were taken care of by the wonderful nurses at MP. That is why I want to be a nurse today. I will check the job openings. Thank you for your input.

How about working for a hospital? We're dying for good help, and we'll train you, especially if you are heading to nursing school. If the school you'll be going to is the one I think it is, you might even have clinicals at one or more of our hospitals. The last person I referred to our hospital works as a Unit Secretary and she loves it.

Please take the video tour first by clicking on the lower left corner link.

http://baycarejobs.com/

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I agree with you 100%. When I do go to school, I can only work weekends just to bring a little extra money in. I would love to have the clinical experience before I get to school. It sure is something to think about.

This may sound like the easy way out but hear me out ;) I admire CNAs but I could never be one, especially in a nursing home. Im getting ready to graduate LPN school and during clinicals we served as the CNA AND the nurse. It was hard work. And I just cant justify the work for the pay. At least with my LPN I will be making a decent living, and I will soon go for my RN. CNAs work so hard for such little pay and recognition, it just doesnt make sense.

Now I will say that the CNA's were good at clinicals bc they already had patient care down pat, AND they will probably have an easy time finding jobs bc they have prior experience in healthcare. So if you look at it from that point of view it might be worth it. Also I think it would be sooo hard to do with school. I worked part time but in a coffee shop so it wasnt super hard labor or anything, and even then I was tired all the time. I couldnt imagine going to school, going to clinicals, studying, AND working as a CNA. I think u would get burned out badly.

One other option u may want to look into is a Psych Tech. They hire them in Psychiatric hospitals, detox centers, etc. I have a friend who did this night shift PRN and she said she basically got paid to show up. All she really did was vitals. The good news is no cleaning up poop all day long. There is a detox center here that Im thinking of working for as a tech while I wait to sit for boards, then work as a pool LPN when I get my license. Its not hard work and it would be decent money.

Good luck and hope u get in the January class!

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I am right behind you on the waiting list for January. I have been looking for something to do part time in the medical field while going and while waiting to get into school. I had thought about taking the CNA class that starts in October until I called the nursing counselor and she suggested that I wait for my seat in the nursing class so I wouldnt miss out on anything with my group. She said when you take the CNA course ahead of time, you get to opt out that part of the LPN course but miss out on some of the lectures and class time. So I am patiently waiting but getting very anxious.

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This may sound like the easy way out but hear me out ;) I admire CNAs but I could never be one, especially in a nursing home. Im getting ready to graduate LPN school and during clinicals we served as the CNA AND the nurse. It was hard work. And I just cant justify the work for the pay. At least with my LPN I will be making a decent living, and I will soon go for my RN. CNAs work so hard for such little pay and recognition, it just doesnt make sense.

Now I will say that the CNA's were good at clinicals bc they already had patient care down pat, AND they will probably have an easy time finding jobs bc they have prior experience in healthcare. So if you look at it from that point of view it might be worth it. Also I think it would be sooo hard to do with school. I worked part time but in a coffee shop so it wasnt super hard labor or anything, and even then I was tired all the time. I couldnt imagine going to school, going to clinicals, studying, AND working as a CNA. I think u would get burned out badly.

One other option u may want to look into is a Psych Tech. They hire them in Psychiatric hospitals, detox centers, etc. I have a friend who did this night shift PRN and she said she basically got paid to show up. All she really did was vitals. The good news is no cleaning up poop all day long. There is a detox center here that Im thinking of working for as a tech while I wait to sit for boards, then work as a pool LPN when I get my license. Its not hard work and it would be decent money.

Good luck and hope u get in the January class!

You mentioned about looking into a Psych Tech? where would you find such jobs? I too would like to gain any kind of clinical experience I can.

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Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.

cna is one of the best jobs possible for a student. flexible hours if you work on call. I basically made my scedule the 4 years i was a cna. There is a shortage of cna's. The work is tough, but i found it to be the ultimate student job.

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I just put in my two week notice at a job I have been working at for 7 years. (non medical career) I am still on the waiting list for local tech school. Should I go for my CNA until I get picked or get another job? I would guess I will get picked for January. I live in Florida so most of the CNA's are nursing homes. I'm not sure I want to go that route. I am very apprehensive. Anyone work in a Florida Nursing home as a CNA? Is it worth a try?

HI I WORKED IN A NURSING HOME FOR 2 YEARS I THINK IT GAVE ME ALOT OF APPRECIATION OF THE WHOLE WORLD OF NURSING BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO PREPARE YOUR SLF BEFORE YOU BEGIN IT IS REALLLLLY HARD WORK YOU WORK SHORT HANDED ALMOST EVERY SHIFT AND IT IS ALOT OF PHYSICAL LABOR THE PAY IS NOT GREAT CONSIDERING THE WORK THAT IS INVOLVED. THE AVERAGE PAY HERE IN LA. IS ONLY 7.00 AN HOUR I REALLY LUCKED UP 2 YEARS AGO AND GOT A JOB WITH AN HOME HEALTH AGENCY MAKING 11.00 AN HOUR GOOD LUCK ITS TOUGH AN DEVEN HARDER IF PLAN ON WORKING THROUGH NURSING SCHOOL BUT I THINK IT WOLD BE A SMART MOVE YOU CAN ATTEND SCHOOL AND WORK AT THE NURSING HOME B/C MOST HAVE 8 HOUR SHIFTS AND YOU CAN WORK THE EVENING SHIFFT WHICH I PERSONALLY THINK IS THE BEST.

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I just put in my two week notice at a job I have been working at for 7 years. (non medical career) I am still on the waiting list for local tech school. Should I go for my CNA until I get picked or get another job? I would guess I will get picked for January. I live in Florida so most of the CNA's are nursing homes. I'm not sure I want to go that route. I am very apprehensive. Anyone work in a Florida Nursing home as a CNA? Is it worth a try?

I just gave my job notice on Tuesday. I am finishing the rest of my prereq's and I start my program in Jan. I am going to take the STNA class in September. Its like 5 weeks, so that I will be able to work part time and go to school. It was a big decision for me to quit my full time job. I am the bread winner of the family, but I have to sacrafice so that I can concentrate on my nursing classes.

I have applied for other positions as techs, but I haven't heard anything yet.

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I looked at job openings for patient techs and CNA's at a local hospital. I was excited to find out they do hire them. This makes my decision a little easier. My ultimate goal is to work in a hospital setting. I would not want to work in a nursing home because I am afraid it would upset me that I couldn't give the patients the time and care they deserve. I figure I can get my CNA and apply at the hospital. Maybe if they know I am waiting to attend LPN school, they may hire me. Then in January I can cut back my hours to maybe 1 night a week and more during vacations. I am not the breadwinner of the family but dh thinks a little bit of money is better then none.

HI I WORKED IN A NURSING HOME FOR 2 YEARS I THINK IT GAVE ME ALOT OF APPRECIATION OF THE WHOLE WORLD OF NURSING BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO PREPARE YOUR SLF BEFORE YOU BEGIN IT IS REALLLLLY HARD WORK YOU WORK SHORT HANDED ALMOST EVERY SHIFT AND IT IS ALOT OF PHYSICAL LABOR THE PAY IS NOT GREAT CONSIDERING THE WORK THAT IS INVOLVED. THE AVERAGE PAY HERE IN LA. IS ONLY 7.00 AN HOUR I REALLY LUCKED UP 2 YEARS AGO AND GOT A JOB WITH AN HOME HEALTH AGENCY MAKING 11.00 AN HOUR GOOD LUCK ITS TOUGH AN DEVEN HARDER IF PLAN ON WORKING THROUGH NURSING SCHOOL BUT I THINK IT WOLD BE A SMART MOVE YOU CAN ATTEND SCHOOL AND WORK AT THE NURSING HOME B/C MOST HAVE 8 HOUR SHIFTS AND YOU CAN WORK THE EVENING SHIFFT WHICH I PERSONALLY THINK IS THE BEST.
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I have no problem getting my cna and doing it again in January. It would be a good refresher. What else am I going to do? I won't have a job anyway. :lol2:

I am right behind you on the waiting list for January. I have been looking for something to do part time in the medical field while going and while waiting to get into school. I had thought about taking the CNA class that starts in October until I called the nursing counselor and she suggested that I wait for my seat in the nursing class so I wouldnt miss out on anything with my group. She said when you take the CNA course ahead of time, you get to opt out that part of the LPN course but miss out on some of the lectures and class time. So I am patiently waiting but getting very anxious.
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