Should I get a job as a CNA if I am planning to get pregnant in the next 4 months?

femmefatale · Mar 7, 2008

I think you can go to school while pregnant. It can be challenging as I have heard other students in my class who are pregnant just because of the hormones and going to stressful clinicals but its not impossible. I work in a hosp and i know that the nsg staff gets maternity leave. It all depends on you. Where there is a will, there is a way. Good luck on your choice.

NurseBanana · Mar 7, 2008

I guess I need to think about if I want to start as a CNA/be pregnant/ go to classes all at the same time. Maybe if I got pregnant I would only take one class, or just wait to take them until later. hmm. so confused...

surromom · Mar 7, 2008

i would do whatever you want while planning to get pregnant, you don't know how long it will take you or how your pregnancy will be. I am on pregnancy five and all have been smooth! i was active duty for the first three and never took a day off for the pregnancy!

futurecnm · Mar 7, 2008

Do they get maternity leave? Does it depend on where you work? Should I just forego the CNA thing and go for my LPN while I am pregnant/have the baby? I have a part-time job working from home right now. However, I hate it, and I want out. The CNA training is only 5 weeks and $600. Advice please! Thanks! :icon_roll

I'd start school, once you have a semester of clinical most places will hire you as a CNA without the class. I wouldn't pay the $600. Plus, you never know what your pregnancy will be like. I could not have done the job of a CNA while pregnant (or a RN). I'd do a 2 yr ADN and work as a CNA after a semester.

NurseBanana · Mar 7, 2008

What is ADN?

I am thinking about doing an LPN then doing a bridge to RN. Because then I can get out of my current job fairly quickly and start working in the field/ go for my RN, maybe get reimbursed. The LPN program here is only 45 hours. And I can take my pre-reqs for RN at the same time. Does that sound like a good plan?

futurecnm · Mar 7, 2008

The LPN program is 45 hr or the CNA program? I thought LPN programs were much more intense, as LPN's do many things a RN would do. A 45 hr program would kind of scare me!!! Around here I do not see many LPNs getting hired but I'm sure that varies with where you live. There are LPN's working but most have been at their job a long time and the hospitals are really not hiring any new ones.

SDS_RN, RN · Mar 7, 2008

I first got pregnant in high school so I had a baby, worked, and finished high school. After that I had two more babies and w/ my 3rd pregnancy I worked as a CNA up until a week before I delivered. I did work my first year of NS but I did not work the 2nd year because I never saw my hubby or my kids. You will do what works best for you. If you want something bad enough you'll do it no matter what it takes. Good luck to you!!!!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2008

What is ADN?
I am thinking about doing an LPN then doing a bridge to RN. Because then I can get out of my current job fairly quickly and start working in the field/ go for my RN, maybe get reimbursed. The LPN program here is only 45 hours. And I can take my pre-reqs for RN at the same time. Does that sound like a good plan?

ADN= Associate Degree Nursing (RN that usually went 2-3yrs at a community college).

I went LPN straight to RN......was a good plan for me!

Are you sure your LPN program is only 45hrs? How can that be?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 7, 2008

Do you mean that the LPN program is 45 hours a week? I am quite sure that there is no LPN program that short. Or did you get it mixed up with the CNA class?

NurseBanana · Mar 7, 2008

whoops- sorry, I did get the Contact hours and the Workforce credits mixed up... it's 1350 hours and 45 credits. :bugeyes: Does that sound more normal?

I read on another post that CNA work is really good to find out more about being an RN and that it's good experience. That's awesome. The part I am not sure about is the money. If I won't be able to pay my bills being a CNA, then I just can't; I would have to skip that and just go for the LPN-RN bridge. I've tried salary wizard and even tried looking up job openings, but I cannot find a pay rate for a CNA in my area. this is really frustrating. Do you think anyone would tell me if i called up a hospital and just asked? hee hee.

MB37 · Mar 7, 2008

No idea what type of money you're looking for...in Tampa, CNA/PCTs seem to make about $11-13/hr, depending on shift and experience. I couldn't afford to do it, and not having the experience hasn't hurt me in clinical. However, I've been a bartender for a long time, and I'm extremely comfortable talking to people. It pays better than most non-tip jobs that don't require an education, from what I can gather. Whatever job/school you're interested in, how do you know you'll get pregnant in 4 months? Obviously it can happen, but most people don't get pregnant the first time they try...I'd plan my life if I were you, and if you wind up being in school and you think it's too difficult to do while pregnant, you can put off the pregnancy. Or, if you get pregnant, you can quit the job.