Taking the CNA Plunge

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Well... I've been thinking, deciding, noodling, talking, wondering, figuring, doubting and everything in-between about moving into nursing... But tomorrow's the day I take the plunge for real.

On Monday June 23, I start my first CNA class. We're scheduled 10 days in the classroom and 10 days in the clinic. I live near Portland Oregon and my class is at the Cascade Medical School. I'm currently working on pre-reqs and plan to complete a ADN then a BSN. I already have advanced degrees, but they are ancient, so I have to start over for most subjects.

I'm a mid-life career changer who has been talking about nursing for a few years now. I've had a few careers... I was an Air Force guy (10+ years), owned restaurants (10+ years), was in practice as a private therapist (4 years), and am currently a contract instructor for business topics (5+ years).

Nursing is radically different from my other jobs. I know there are many challenges, but I've been inspired by reading many success stories on this forum and others. I hope to become an inspiration myself!

I'd like to hear about your experiences as you got started in nursing. If you haven't shared, but have a good story, please "dish"... And I'll post what happens as my adventure develops.

Blessings....

Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

good luck missy120808!!!

:w00t:

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good luck missy120808!!!

:w00t:

thank you so very much!!!! :tku: & :ancong!:!!!! on graduating from rn nursing school:urck:!!!! hopefully in 3 years that will be me!!!!

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Specializes in OB - RN, nursing instructor.

In Florida, you do not have to take a class although they are available. You can just "challenge" the exam and take it and the skills portion. Just and FYI, if you happen to have some experience and feel comfortable...

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Specializes in CNA, Acute care, LTC, Hospital.

Hello everybody! Hope your 4th was as great as mine. My daughter (16 years old) and I went camping-- Just the two of us... A very nice break from CNA classes...

On Monday I jumped back into the clinical portion of the CNA training. We're doing our clinicals at a very well-reviewed nursing center (LTC) that is adjacent to an assisted living facility.

For our clinicals we have two students shadow an experienced CNA and perform normal ADL tasks up to our level of ability.

To complete the clinicals, we've got to demonstrate 45 different procedures for our clinical instructor (the RN). Based on the way things are progressing, we'll have all 45 procedures accomplished in 4-5 days and then have another 5 days to practice those procedures that we need to strengthen.

In this facility CNA's have 8 patients, but everybody pitches in and answers call lights as they are needed. There were six CNAs in our wing plus us two students. The other students were porificed through-out the facility.

The nursing and admin staff are friendly, the patients are kind and grateful, and most of the CNAs are very professional.

I'm learning lots of stuff! :lol2:

Only 7 more days until I will have my certificate and then try to get a date for the state boards. I'll keep ya posted!

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Oh thats great to hear=]

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I'm wanting to take the plunge, but having a hard time trying to find a place to take the class at in Central Florida. I'm so anxious to get started myself! Yay for just 7 day! Lt us know how your state boards go!

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I'm wanting to take the plunge, but having a hard time trying to find a place to take the class at in Central Florida. I'm so anxious to get started myself! Yay for just 7 day! Lt us know how your state boards go!

What part of Central fl???? Im in Lakeland area ,and know a lady who does weekend classes.....maybe i can give you her name..=];)

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Really? I live in Orlando, but will travel around the area as long as it isn't TOO far. That would be great! Can you message it to me please? THANKS SO MUCH!

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Specializes in CNA, Acute care, LTC, Hospital.

Well I'm finished with my clinicals! :yeah:

Today was the 10th day and it was a good day.... I spent most of my day assisting residents.

I don't know about any one else's experience during clinicals week, but my time was generally spent in three categories:

  1. Class room stuff.
  2. Shadowing CNAs
  3. Answering call lights, assisting patients, and helping improve quality of life for residents.

Everyday we had some classroom stuff... Shadowing CNAs happened for a couple of days.... And most of my time was spent assisting with ADLs.

I feel confident that the residents had better care when the clinical students were there. A new class starts next Monday. Good luck you guys.

I did receive my certificate today and sent my package to the state board to apply for my skills test and license. My CNA school registered me for a skills test date and I was glad to get Aug 16 as my skills testing day.

All in all taking the CNA plunge has been very worthwhile and rewarding. I've been offered a couple of positions, but haven't decided on anything yet. Three of my classmates were offered jobs at our clinical site... and they accepted the positions. Their starting wage is $12.00 per hour and will go to $12.50 after passing the skills test.

Good luck to everybody who is working to get the CNA... To those of you who haven't made a decision, I encourage you to get started. If you wanna help people... Learn something... And be a positive influence... You can have a voice as a CNA.

Blessings....

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Really? I live in Orlando, but will travel around the area as long as it isn't TOO far. That would be great! Can you message it to me please? THANKS SO MUCH!

here it is ..she is really a great teacher=]

http://www.cnalearningcenter.com/index.htm

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Well I'm finished with my clinicals! :yeah:

Today was the 10th day and it was a good day.... I spent most of my day assisting residents.

I don't know about any one else's experience during clinicals week, but my time was generally spent in three categories:

  1. Class room stuff.
  2. Shadowing CNAs
  3. Answering call lights, assisting patients, and helping improve quality of life for residents.

Everyday we had some classroom stuff... Shadowing CNAs happened for a couple of days.... And most of my time was spent assisting with ADLs.

I feel confident that the residents had better care when the clinical students were there. A new class starts next Monday. Good luck you guys.

I did receive my certificate today and sent my package to the state board to apply for my skills test and license. My CNA school registered me for a skills test date and I was glad to get Aug 16 as my skills testing day.

All in all taking the CNA plunge has been very worthwhile and rewarding. I've been offered a couple of positions, but haven't decided on anything yet. Three of my classmates were offered jobs at our clinical site... and they accepted the positions. Their starting wage is $12.00 per hour and will go to $12.50 after passing the skills test.

Good luck to everybody who is working to get the CNA... To those of you who haven't made a decision, I encourage you to get started. If you wanna help people... Learn something... And be a positive influence... You can have a voice as a CNA.

Blessings....

:nurse:thank you and keep us posted on your experiences =] ..best wishes:yeah:!

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here it is ..she is really a great teacher=]

http://www.cnalearningcenter.com/index.htm

Thanks so much! Did it prepare you for your Sate exam?

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