Should I be a CNA -- I'm 44yrs old!!! Is it too late for me?

CuriousChrys · Sep 1, 2009

Well --

I found out my employer DOES NOT reimburse for any classes that are continuing education. They ONLY reimburse for classes in degree progams. To be reimbursed for any non-degree classes, those classes would HAVE to be associated with my current job skill (I do administrative work). *sigh*. They will NOT reimburse for any medical related courses -- unless I jump head-first in to school to be a nurse. I just don't want to waste time doing that and then find out I went to school for nothing.

So -- taking this CNA course is not going to fly, as I can't get the funds from my employer, nor can I pay on my own or get financial aid. I just don't have the funds out of pocket to pay for a CNA class or a CHHA course.

Thanks again to everyone for your help/suggestions. I guess I was right about those roadblocks! :chuckle

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What's interesting is that in NJ --

A CHHA is governed by the NJ board of Nursing and a CNA is governed by the Dpt of Health and Sr. Services. I would think the two would be opposite.

All CHHA classes are mainly during the day, f/t for 3 weeks.

I was told that a CHHA does one on one care in someone's home, while a CNA could have 12-20 patients and work in NJ in facilities such as nursing homes and long term care.

caliotter3 · Sep 1, 2009

A CNA that I once worked with became one in her early 40's. When she was interviewed for her job, she was asked point blank if she could handle it (she was a tad overweight, just pushing obesity). She spoke well and was hired. She was the best CNA in the building. I suggest you go ahead with your plans and don't delay starting to prepare to go to nursing school. Good luck.

azcna · Sep 1, 2009

You have plenty of time! 44 is not too old at all. My facility just hired a BRAND NEW cna who is 55. We also have other people on our hall and in the building who are over 40, and some others other 50. Once you get into your 60's you might start to get worn out, but for now go for it! If you start now you will have your RN by the time you are 48 (and thats if you have to wait two years to get in). You will be able to work another 15-20 years minimum, depending on how long you want to continue working. At that point, if you decide you don't want to work on the floor anymore you can teach, or work in admin as an RN.

I say go for it!

CuriousChrys · Sep 1, 2009

I am traveling to visit a Home Health Care agency today to be a home companion (a place to start, right). If I get employed by them, part-time, I can be trained to be a CHHA for free (I believe) -- which is helpful to me at this point. They stated I have to be an employee.

I may start in this way as it will be a foot in the door. If I like it, perhaps I will try to get CNA training (but it seems scarce in my area and I can't afford it) or take general pre-req classes for nursing down the line.

Thank you all!

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2009

First of all, stop referring to yourself as old and and saying things like "at this late date".. Plenty of people older than you are on these forums. There's a whole bunch of threads on people over 50. I started NS (LPN) last January at age 51 and will graduate Jan. 2010.

I did that route even though I have a BA, (I was a teacher for 25 years) because we have three kids in college and need money fast! At my LPN program in NY we had to get our CNA first as part of the program since basic CNA skills are a part of nursing. We tested and got our CNA's by April and I started working as a CNA . It's very very hard. Yes, I think some of it has to do with being 'older'. Physically, I'm just not where I was but that's mostly my own fault. ANd, the younger women who work there are not too thrilled at working with me. Too bad, I don't care because I'm just passing through on my way to an LPN. I figured I should know what a CNA does if I'm going to be in charge of them eventually.

I don't really like it because there's never enough time to do all that should be done and be able to interract with the residents the way I want to. Mostly it feels like being a glorified diaper changer. (That's simplifying things but it is a major part of what CNA"S do.)

My choice is to get the LPN at a tech school in one year and work as an LPN in a doctors office or school or LTC or some hospitals and acute care centers do hire LPN's. After that, if a place wants to pay for my education I may go on to an RN or maybe not. That's my plan for now...good luck and don't let your perceived age stop you.

You are only as old as you act, believe and think. Think young!

sawyer12 · Sep 1, 2009

I am 41 and I will be starting a CNA class in 2 weeks. I too was aprehensive but reading and posting on this board calmed my nerves. I had applied to LPN school for this year and even though I scored 92 on the NET I got waitlisted because I didnt have any experience. So that is why I am taking the CNA class. I think any sort of experience is helpful before allying to LPN. I will eventually go for my RN but I too need to make $$$ fast so that is why I am going the LPN route first. Hopefully being a CNA and then applying to the LPN program will give me a leg up. I think all LPN & RN schools are getting competitive beacause a lot of middle aged people are deciding to switch careers. Good luck with what you decide!

CuriousChrys · Sep 1, 2009

I spoke directly with my county college's nursing program today.

Here in NJ -- you DO NOT have to be a CNA to enroll in the nursing program at all. Of course, you have to get all of your pre-reqs done before enrolling (which I would have to start from scratch as I have no college degree).

LPN's here in NJ are phasing out per the head nursing director at the college -- at least here in NJ. Some tech schools offer LPN programs, but again -- I can't do that route because my employer won't pay unless it's a degree program.

The CNA program here in central NJ is a continuing education program (1 semester) and has nothing to do with the RN program. CNA's in NJ work primarily in nursing homes or home health facilties (patients one-on-one). That you have to pay for out of pocket and I don't have the money. PLUS, if it is NOT going to get me closer to an RN degree -- then I really shouldn't waste the money.

The nursing director told me that I could certainly be a CNA to get hospital experience, but the she said it won't short-cut any of my classes or shorten my time to get my my nursing degree. At least here where I am. This was from the horses mouth! :)

She was very kind and answered my questions -- so the next step is to possibly just enroll in county college just to get my pre-reqs out of the way. Doing this P/T will probably take 2yrs and then the nursing portion another 2 yrs=4yrs or 5 to *possibly* my RN degree in that timeframe.

caliotter3 · Sep 1, 2009

See, in your last post you are talking about what you can do and not about what you can't do. You are already on the right track. I think getting your CHHA certificate from that home health agency is a good idea. You will do the same things in the home that a CNA would do. You also have the advantage of only working with one patient (easier on your health) and you will have a ready made employer for when you finish nursing school. Good all the way around.

And for the most part, home health aides get paid comparatively the same (or even more) than their counterparts in long term care, for only taking care of one patient. How can you beat that?

lorelei1973 · Sep 2, 2009

Would you consider borrowing from your 401K to pay for the training? I know it's advisable to never touch your retirement, but if you're able to supplement your current income, you could eventually pay yourself back...

CuriousChrys · Sep 2, 2009

Dear Loreli:

My 401K plan has strict stipulations for borrowing and you can only do so for hardship withdrawls, that must be documented under certain serious criteria (health issues, loss of home, etc). Thanks for the suggestion though :)

scrapworking · Sep 2, 2009

Even though your CNA may not be required, it is as someone said (maybe yourself) good experience to a) see if healthcare/patient care is for you and b) you will need to learn these skills in your nursing classes, so already knowing them will probably reduce your stress level when the time comes in nursing school and perhaps c) due to the competitive nature of applying/getting accepted to nursing school, already having this may help you get in (even if they say it doesn't matter). If the home healthcare people offer you a position and the training, I would take advantage of that!

Having given you that advice (FWIW), here's my story. I just turned 46, am finishing up my pre-requisites so that I can apply to the nursing (RN) program this Spring for the Fall session. Our program doesn't have waitlists, it's selective and competitive... 3.9 GPA minimum. Some of the area hospitals offer a Earn As You Learn program where they pay for your school, give you a job as a Patient Care Tech (hospital CNA basically) and in return, you agree to work for them for a set period of time after you get your RN. I've taken almost all of my pre-reqs on-line, while I've worked. Recently, I was laid off. My unemployment runs out in February. I plan on getting my CNA before then, not only so I can gain experience (& know if this is a good fit), but also to make contacts within an organization. My college does not require us to be CNA certified either. I decided (at this point) to forego the LPN as it would be impossible to do it (1-year program, but no part-time programs) while I'm in school now thereby slowing down my progress towards my RN. Upon finishing/getting my RN, I'll roll right into the BSN (all on-line) with the possibility of my employer paying for that.

Good luck! I know everyone's situation is different and you have to do what you have to do, but sometimes seeing how others do it or are planning to do it can be encouraging!

Sharon in FL

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2009

I started out as a CNA and it was the most valuable experience that I could have ever had before entering the LVN program. It gave me the insides about what to expect in health care. I don't regret getting my CNA just like I don't regret getting my LVN before my RN. You will have some experiences that your classmates in nursing school wont experience until they go to nursing school. Yes, the course wont give you any credit towards the LVN/RN program, it will just provide you with health care experience.