Starting the CNA course soon.. nervous

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I am starting the CNA course in two days..and let me tell you I am very nervous. My goal is to become an LPN then RN. Nursing was always something I wanted to do but never thought I could. I am actually a Dental Assistant and looking to switch careers. My husband recently got out of the army and I am in desperate need of job. I truly feel I am meant to help care for people however, I 've let my fears get in the way. I've watch my mother as a CNA for 23 years. I've watched her come home sore and exhausted 40+ hours a week. (She worked at a nursing home). I need to take the CNA course a pre-req for nursing school. The hospitals all around me are hiring for CNA's. What is the work like in a hospital compared to a nursing home? I'm also a petite person and CANNOT lift anyone on my own. Is my body stature going to cause a problem as a CNA? These are probably silly questions but I really do not know much about what CNA's do other than what I've seen my mother go through which was a negetive experience.

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Specializes in VA-BC, CRNI.

Body size does not matter when it comes to lifting people.

Body mechanics do however, I have seen 115lb women lift 250lb men before. Besides, most places are "non lift facilities."

To be honest I would say you are on the right track of CNA to Nurse but skip the LPN, do CNA to RN...you won't regret it.

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Specializes in LTC.

Not sure about working in a hospital because I do LTC, but you shouldn't have a problem lifting. I'm a petite person too, and I work with plenty of others my size, and we get it done. If someone is heavy and can't bear all their weight they'll be an assist of 2 and during your first couple months the other CNA will do most of the work when you lift with them. Then you'll start getting stronger.

It's hard work and sometimes I do regret the inevitable back strain that comes with the job, but I think physical labor is a good thing. I would rather come home wiped out with sore legs than a sore butt from sitting in an office chair all day not using my muscles and burning minimal calories. I guess it just depends on how you look at it though. I really enjoy my job and even though certain residents get on my last nerve and some days the whole place and all its policies annoys me, I'm still glad to work there.

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Hello,

Im in the same boat as you are! I just started my PCA (Patient Care Assistant) Course here in FL Palm Beach County. My instructor seems very likable and my first day was last Thursday.We watched a PCA video about job description and requirements, what to do and not do. Instructor reviewed the handbook and we recieved or Health Care Concepts book and went over chapter 1. We learned about OBRA and little abriviations that heatlh care use in some terms.

Today I go back at 4pm-10 and my class size is about 18. We have a LPN room next door and it is set up exactly like a hospital setting with fake patients that we will be using!

My biggest fear is learning pulse and BP because I have whats called hyperhydrosis and I really dont want to touch my classmates. I wonder if I can use gloves...my hands sweat uncontrolably especialy if Im nervous- EMBRASSING! Lucky you dont have that issue!

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/LTC/geriatrics.

congradulations on choosing nursing. I did CNA to LPN to RN and I am working on my BSN. I wasn't planning on getting my LPN or ADN but the college I was accepted to accepted me to their LPN program. I am thankful for this LPN experience, our hospital used to hire LPNs to work in pods with RNs and now they are glorified CNAs. It is good to know what they are taught in school. This experince as an LPN helped me to land my job as an RN, and helped me get through the last little bit of RN school with less stress. I was planning my wedding during the semester we lost most of our classmates. I think which path you decide to take is highly individual and depends on what programs are nearby. Your CNA class may do clinicals at a LTC facility and a hospital and you may find you like one more than the other. In our area CNAs are trained in LTC facilities and when they need a change of pace they come to the hospital. Some one else mentioned good body mechanics, this will become your best friend (or your worst enemy if you do it wrong) . Best of luck.

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i am starting the cna course in two days..and let me tell you i am very nervous. my goal is to become an lpn then rn. nursing was always something i wanted to do but never thought i could. i am actually a dental assistant and looking to switch careers. my husband recently got out of the army and i am in desperate need of job. i truly feel i am meant to help care for people however, i 've let my fears get in the way. i've watch my mother as a cna for 23 years. i've watched her come home sore and exhausted 40+ hours a week. (she worked at a nursing home). i need to take the cna course a pre-req for nursing school. the hospitals all around me are hiring for cna's. what is the work like in a hospital compared to a nursing home? i'm also a petite person and cannot lift anyone on my own. is my body stature going to cause a problem as a cna? these are probably silly questions but i really do not know much about what cna's do other than what i've seen my mother go through which was a negetive experience.

have fun in your cna class tomorrow!! i am sure you will love it..:) today i just passed the florida cna exam - and am so excited!! i too am going in the lpn-rn path.i start lpn school in feb. i was laid off in march and figured i might as well follow my dream now!! i think you always hear negative and positive about being a cna and honestly it is just the way you look at it. as i have seen from volunteering cna/nursing is hard work.. some people don't want to work hard..like mentioned i am sure it feels good to come home and haved moved your body around than sitting at a desk all day.. take it one step at a time, enjoy the journey!!

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...my hands sweat uncontrolably especialy if Im nervous- EMBRASSING! Lucky you dont have that issue!

I also have this issue too. My hands would sweating @ moderate level only during summer/hot season. But during winter it just like ice, like if I touch other they'll get shock,LOL!! Don't feel bad b/c you are not the only one experience this!!

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I'm also a petite person and CANNOT lift anyone on my own. Is my body stature going to cause a problem as a CNA?

I am a small person too and this is what I also concern b/c I'm worry that employer seeing me and wouldn't wanna hire me:(. But since you guys said this is not a problem so I'm feel better now. I remember when I took my cna class my instructor is keep joking:( about my weight in front of my classmate b/c I'm the smallest and the lighted weight person in the class while other are big. I feel so embarrass especially when she said in front of every body but I just pretend to be ok like nothing. But I'm glad that I'm not the smallest person out there:).

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I am starting a program soon as well! I am also very nervous! What can I expect during the course?

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Specializes in telementry, medsurg, icu, surgery.

hi! i am not meaning to change the subject, but.... i too am a dental assistant, and i am starting my cna program on the 13th... i also have huge dreams of becoming an lpn then an rn! its weird how i stumbled upon your post! i read it aloud to my husband and he was in awe of the amount of people on this website that are making what we call "career changes" (back to your post) i am also a petite person (only 5'2) i have worked as a cna for about 4 years, and you learn little ways of doing everything! they have all types of things out there now to help lift! (at least at the hospital i worked) anyway.. goodluck and have faith in yourself. WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY!!

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"I also have this issue too. My hands would sweating @ moderate level only during summer/hot season. But during winter it just like ice, like if I touch other they'll get shock,LOL!! Don't feel bad b/c you are not the only one experience this!

Really you have this to? Well I was in class last night, (3rd time) and we went in the lab for the first time and washed our hands the proper way, practiced putting on and taking gloves off, and my instructor said, Its easier to put on your gloves with DRY hands! Thats when my hands started to sweat. LOL I was struggling with the fingers stretching them on. Then I hid in them for awhile. Instructor also said we can wear our gloves during BP and pulse if we want but not necessary. You bet I'll be doing that!

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Hey Guys

My first day of CNA class is today and I'm excited as I am really ready for my winter break to be over. I was checking out the website of one of our clinical sites (LTC facility) and now I'm kinda freaking out and nervous because I realize this isen't going to be as easy or a nice as I thought. I've been doing my pre-reqs for nursing but this is my first "medical" class. Like many of you I am taking the CNA class b/c it is a pre-req for my LPN program as well as for points if a I am to get in my Community College's RN program. With the time gaps between applying to the RN program and it actually starting I'm better of just doing the one year LVN at the vocational school and then jumping into and LVN-RN bridge.

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