1st day in CNA class and really down...

[sc0628]

Ok, I am working on pre-reqs for ADN nursing school. I decided to get into the CNA class to get some experience and also work part time while in school. My hope is to work for a hospital for the experience. Anyway, today I completely felt like a total air head b/c I thought the B/P cuff was leaking air. The instructor had to come and show me I had the knob turned the wrong way. I was just not prepared today and very distracted. When called on and the spot light was on me, I felt myself get very nervous and red in the face and shaking. My voice was shaking also. I felt stupid. I think that my instructor noticed and everyone else too.

I didn't think I was going to get into the class b/c of the money. I have had a lot of stress going on right now from money to my grandmother being placed in ICU for the 2nd time and now facing open heart surgery. I didn't have my books b/c the store hasn't been open etc. Luckily I was not the only one and it was not a requirement for the first day. I just wonder if I am smart enough for nursing. Am I kidding myself? I think the demons from the past are showing up whispering in my ear that I am not smart enough or able to finish this. I am normally pretty outgoing and do well in large crowds, but smaller ones are hard for me. Especially when I am on unfamiliar territory. I almost thought of dropping the class. I just think stress and pms/hormones have gotten the best of me today. Am I crazy? Any advice?

thanks,

sc

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

When you started out did you say you were a CNA? I plan on going over all the videos and practicing the practice skills but as far as taking a course or class I am not sure if I want to spend the extra money on it. Did you go directly to LVN/LPN to RN or just LVN?

thanks

sc

I started out as an LPN with no experience. Later went on and got my RN.

[sc0628]

How long did it take you? Did you go back to school right away or wait and work a little? Thanks for answering all of my questions.

sc

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

How long did it take you? Did you go back to school right away or wait and work a little? Thanks for answering all of my questions.

sc

I was an LPN for 23 years. I wanted to back to school sooner but with kids it was difficult. I waited until my kids were self-sufficient.

When I went to LPN school I had no intentions of being an RN, basicaly because I didn't know what nursing was all about.

If I had it to do over I would have gone for my RN from the beginning. Good Luck!

[sc0628]

Thanks

[Billsgirl, CNA]

if it's not a requirement don't take it if you don't want to. but...the basic knowledge the cna class provides will give you a leg up once you do start your lvn classes. especially the clinical experience, at least you will be more comfortable and have some hands on skills walking in to lvn school. if the cna class you can take has some medical terminology that's to your benefit too. mine didn't and i have been teaching myself and learning in my anatomy & physiology class, but i would have loved a basic intro in the cna course. you also get a realistic introduction to what lies ahead for you in your chosen career in the cna class, which could help you make a final decision if you are uncertain.

the university i am going to for my bsn doesn't require the cna course either. when i took the class this summer i intended on getting my associates at the same school, and the class was required. but because the waiting list was way too long, i shopped around and found i can get my bsn in the same time i would have spent getting an associates, so i'm off to indiana university northwest!!:)

make your decision carefully, because it will matter down the road.

***and never doubt your smarts!!**:)

i have always felt like i wasn't smart enough for much, i still have doubts, especially when i have to do algebra!!:) (yuk!!) :) you are smart!!!!! don't think you're not ever!!!

[Billsgirl, CNA]

don't take the class if you don't want to. but...the leg up it will provide you with is something to consider. you will be introduced to basic skills, techniques, and gain knowledge that can only benefit you on your career path. it could help you decide if nursing is really what you want to do also, and the clinical experience is really important. even if your lvn school doesn't require the cna class i would seriously consider taking it for your personal growth and knowledge. it will only help you in the long run.

and never doubt your smarts!!!! you can do it!!!!!!!! i thought like you, and still do, especially when it comes to any kind of math!!! (yuk!) but i won't let my math fears and inabilities take over me, i'll eventually understand what i need to know!!!

you are smart!!!! don't forget that and do what's right for you, but consider the pros and cons of course!

best luck!

[swee2000]

in 32 years i have never heard that. anyone else?

i want to clarify & expand on some of the comments in my original post. and please remember, some of this is just my opinion and i don't expect others to agree with me. here goes:

first, the nursing school i graduated from did, and still does, require students to be cna & cpr certified prior to starting either nursing program(lpn or rn). they will not accept you any other way, plain-and-simple. additionally, at the beginning of each semester, students were required to show a valid & current cna registration card, as well as current cpr certification. here's a quote from the school's website to support this: "formal training as a nursing assistant and certification in cpr must be completed to be eligible for entry into clinical nursing courses." http://www.wctc.edu/web/areas/health/nursing/nursing.php

second, i apologize for assuming that every nursing program(especially at technical schools or ccs) follows the same path as mine. unfortunately, i came to this erroneous conclusion after hearing some comments made by an instructor on the very first night of 1st semester back in 2003. i can honestly recall her conversation: "all nursing programs require students to be cna certified. and don't be surprised if, down the road, they start requiring job experience as well." i remember this so clearly because, at the time, i was the only student in the class who did not have any job experience in healthcare, let alone as a cna, and i stood out like a sore thumb. obviously that instructor was incorrect in her information, as well.

third, i never said(nor would i) that students had to work as cnas before starting nursing school. if i did, then i'm a hypocrite because i didn't start my first cna job until i was in 2nd semester. what i meant to say in my op was this: now that i've been on both sides of the fence, i can understand why so many people(instructors, fellow students, etc) were telling me to get a job as a cna and how important and beneficial working as one could/would be, both for my education and for my self-confidence. i learned so much about so many different areas of nursing(meds, pathophys, procedures, labs, care plans, etc, etc) from both my patients and from watching the nurses, was able to apply it to what i was reading in the textbooks or learning about in lectures, and had an easier time understanding the why's & what if's.

fourth, and i think this is what prompted me to originally respond to the op, regardless of whether it is required in her state, school, or place of employment, finishing the cna training course would be a great asset to the op in terms of school/clinicals and if she were to get a job at a hospital(according to her post, that is where she wants to work). reflecting on my own experiences, both as a cna working in a hospital and now as a nurse working in a hospital, the little bit of training from cna classes helped out immensely and made things feel less intimidating/scary. also, and this might make me sound like a hypocrite but i'm saying it anyways, since the hospital is a very fast-paced environment, you have to be able to catch on quick. for some people w/o prior training or experience, this can become a problem(i've seen it numerous times lately in new cnas & rns) and require additional classes, longer orientations, etc. but most of the time, people do just fine(i was fortunate to be one of these).

so again, i apologize if i offended anyone. that truly wasn't my intent. also, if you've read this far, thank you for sticking around. it's only taken me 3+ hours to try and post these comments because my darn computer keeps locking up.

[swee2000]

Seriously it is not a requirement. They recommend it but it is not mandatory. Do you think it is needed to start LVN school?

thanks

sc

Read the response above that I wrote in reply to DutchgirlRN's post. As you'll see, not every school gives students the option of being CNA certified.

[ZoeK]

You might get the CNA if you want to work as a CNA while going to LVN school. Working as a CNA will help you get comfortable around patients.

One thing to remember: you will always make mistakes. Think of athletes --when they miss a ball or trip...everyone sees. But they get up and keep going. I try to think of that when I do dumb things. Remind myself that I've got to pick myself up and keep playing the game. It also doesn't hurt to laugh at yourself (even if you are deeply mortified inside at the moment --that feeling will usually pass).

[Alex_RN2b09]

DEFINETLY take the CNA class!!!!

Without it, you cannot become CNA certified. And if you aren't certified, you cannot work anywhere(especially a hospital) as a CNA, nor begin nursing school. Most nursing schools nowadays require that you be CNA certified prior to starting the actual nursing program.

So don't let one b/p cuff incident keep you from reaching your dreams. You can do this and yes you have what it takes to be a nurse!! :)

In Michigan I've never heard of CNA requirements for enterance into a nursng program except for one or two schools. Part of MI law is that student nurses that have completed a semester or maybe it's a year of clinicals can fill out a form and are considered CNA certified until they graduate or leave school for a certian period. Additionally the hospitals I've looked into don't require you to be a CNA if your a student nurse and will hire you for CNA/Tech work without the certification. I would make sure you examine all your options and find what works best in your area.

[pumpkin92356]

You should give it another try. I know that it is usually not required in most states but it will give you the some of your most important nursing skills. Learning how to deal with patients one to one and also you will develop observation skills which are one of the most important aspects of nursing. You will come into situations after you become a nurse where you will be called upon to assist with a transfer of a patient or turning and repositioning them in bed and learning the correct way to use body mechanics is important. I have been an aid for 30 years and am finally able to work towards my nursing RN but in those years I have worked with nurses who had no idea how to put dentures in the patients mouth or even how to make an occupied bed. Nursing schools today dont focus to much on the hands on part. When you become a licensed nurse it is vital that you know what the aides should be doing with the patients and you will most likely be supervising them so you will want to know just what they are supposed to be doing. One more thing ,if you have never been in the nursing field it will give you some insight into what nursing is really all about. Good Luck to you!

pumpkin92356

[lackofsleep]

Every school is different and have their own requirements. In my area there is only one nursing school that requires you to be a CNA first. Their program is set up as a "Career ladder". You must start as a CNA (if already certified, you can bypass) then to LVN and lastly RN. Which means you must complete one step before you can move to the next. It is a long process, but each step you gain more and more expirence. I'm currently taking a CNA class, hopefully pass and work as a CNA while waiting to get into nursing school. The expirence will be very valuable in school and eventually in my new career. Good Luck!!