Starting my CNA program in January!!!

Ladicapricorn841 · Dec 15, 2009

:DCongratulations on getting into your program! I finished my CNA classes back in November. Mine was four weeks long and pretty intense due to the amount of information and short amount of time. It really isn't bad though at all, most of it is common sense. It definitely does open your eyes up to alot of things as far as infection control and germs are concerned. You also start to realize how valuable your job as a CNA is going to be when you go for you clinicals. We really do make a difference despite what others may say. Its also really cool seeing supplies in hospitals or watching medical shows on tv and knowing what things are called and understanding the medical jargon. And as for you being a guy I definitely commend you :yeah: If this is your passion and what you wanna do in life go for it!! Dont worry about the haters! We need more males in this profession. Plus it will be easier for you to move patients around right? lol But anyways congratulations again! Where did u get accepted? Do you plan on going into nursing??

missmonkey · Dec 15, 2009

Congratulations! I took a 9-week class and I'm grateful for the compressed time frame. It was intense but the time will fly by and you'll be working before you know it.

As a guy, your biggest commodity will be your physical strength. Pay attention to body mechanics and don't be tempted to take shortcuts on safety. Being a CNA is a team sport so make sure that you get something in exchange for the heavy lifting you'll be asked to do. Need help bathing, dressing or feeding a client? Need some linens from the cart outside the door? Ask, ask ask. Don't be a tough guy! :)

Giving and receiving help is something all CNAs should be doing regardless of gender, anyway.

kimmy436 · Dec 15, 2009

During one hospital stay I was trasnported by a male CNA and he made me very comfortable and lifting me was easy for him due to his physical strength. Good Luck

DevinsMom · Dec 15, 2009

I wouldn't worry about being a guy in this class - if your class ends up being like mine that I just completed was, all of the girls in your class (and the on-staff CNAs) will love you for your lifting ability! I've noticed a lot of the people on these boards got to shadow CNAs at their clinical facility, but we didn't. We were just kind of thrown in to the facility, assigned a patient or two, and just had to rely on our fellow students to get things done, which makes a male student all the more valuable (our facility was understaffed, so finding a CNA to help transfer was nearly impossible).

Also, one of the male students in our class had a way with the senior men at the clinical site we went to. The male residents eyes would light up when they talked to them. I'd say your only struggle might be with female residents that may not want to accept care from you, but I'm sure your clinical teachers will make sure you don't get into that kind of situation.

Anyhow, I'm excited for you! Good luck, and I know you'll do great and have a lot of fun in this class :)

NP Sam · Dec 15, 2009

I did my program in 10 days! I don't know why it is called a "girly" job when you have both male and female patients. You WILL get respect, don't worry. The advice I would give right off the bat is to be prepared for the state certification exam. What we actually did on the floor (on the job) was a lot different from class.

audiomitch · Dec 17, 2009

It may have a stigma of a "girly" job, but it's a lot harder than a lot of those he-man jobs out there.

Emmi7 · Dec 17, 2009

Congrats! I start my CNA classes in January too, an 8 week course.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2009

Congrats! And I'm sure people will love having you there! I personally wish there were more men in the nursing profession.

eveningsky339, LPN · Dec 17, 2009

I'm a male CNA student, though my program runs for about four months, twice a week. I've been going since November 3rd and we are just now required to wear scrubs to class!

Don't worry about being a guy. I'm the only male in my class of 15, and aside from an occasional light-hearted remark about the dirty jobs ("That's when you send Eric in," haha), I don't feel like I'm different or treated differently from any of my classmates.

The only down-side of the program is how long it is. I would like to get a job and maybe look into getting into an EMT program or an RN program in the near future, and my wife has a baby on the way (fingers crossed). So the future is a little hectic for me right now!

NursKam, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 18, 2009

:DCongratulations on getting into your program! I finished my CNA classes back in November. Mine was four weeks long and pretty intense due to the amount of information and short amount of time. It really isn't bad though at all, most of it is common sense. It definitely does open your eyes up to alot of things as far as infection control and germs are concerned. You also start to realize how valuable your job as a CNA is going to be when you go for you clinicals. We really do make a difference despite what others may say. Its also really cool seeing supplies in hospitals or watching medical shows on tv and knowing what things are called and understanding the medical jargon. And as for you being a guy I definitely commend you If this is your passion and what you wanna do in life go for it!! Dont worry about the haters! We need more males in this profession. Plus it will be easier for you to move patients around right? lol But anyways congratulations again! Where did u get accepted? Do you plan on going into nursing??

yes i actually plan on becoming an OR nurse.

NursKam, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 18, 2009

I'm a male CNA student, though my program runs for about four months, twice a week. I've been going since November 3rd and we are just now required to wear scrubs to class!
Don't worry about being a guy. I'm the only male in my class of 15, and aside from an occasional light-hearted remark about the dirty jobs ("That's when you send Eric in," haha), I don't feel like I'm different or treated differently from any of my classmates.
The only down-side of the program is how long it is. I would like to get a job and maybe look into getting into an EMT program or an RN program in the near future, and my wife has a baby on the way (fingers crossed). So the future is a little hectic for me right now!

thanks! thats great man. i definately encourage you to further your education as well. just take it one day at a time. at least for me, that is the only way i can wrap my head around it all. best of luck bro!