Too scared to apply for a job [What would you do?]

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Hello all

I passed my CNA exam with flying colors in July. It is now October and I'm still scared to look for a job. Hear me out first! There are 2 reasons why and I was hoping I could get some advice?

Reason 1 - My Hobby:

I train Boxing and Wrestling. It's a hobby and I love it. I find that it takes all my stress away and just puts me in a great state of mind. I noticed how much happier, willing to do things and learn more than my fellow classmates during clinicals. Its a great thing for stressful jobs but the downside is, I get injured. 2 weeks ago I hyperextended my elbow and I thought to myself how am I gonna get a job as a CNA with this hobby? I usually don't get injured but when I do it usually takes a week or 3 depending on the injury. And during my clinicals I learned that you need every single muscle of your body moving to make sure the patient/resident is safe.

Reason 2 - My Fear:

Cleaning up BM is okay with me. No problem. Its ambulation that scares and frightens me. I'm a 5'8 130lbs guy. Sometimes I worry that I might drop the resident/patient during ambulation to go to the toilet or whatever. I see these girls that are 5'5 95lbs and are able to ambulate men that are like 6'0 190lbs with ease and I am just amazed. I plan on working in the hospital so I don't know how much ambulating I'm going to do, but it still scares me.

Any suggestions? I plan on getting a 2nd bachelors in nursing sometime, but I'd need money for that first (CNA) *wink*

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

1- Being fit isn't a bad thing. You may injure yourself but you are likely still in good shape. What's the worst that could happen if you get a job as a CNA and a week later you find you can't work anymore? Will it be worse if you lose a new job than never even try?

2- If you are safe, you shouldn't "drop" someone while ambulating. They should be walking of their own power. If they are are unsteady, then physical therapy should tell you how to walk them safely. If there's a chance they might not be able to walk with just you helping, then another person should be standing by or assisting, and the wheelchair should be right there so you can direct their fall so they plop into the chair. In my experience, patients rarely fall when they are assisted, they usually fall because they are unassisted.

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Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.

You will figure out how to transfer people with a little practice. I know what you mean, though. I was scared to death when I first started, but I'm a lot better now.

As for the time, I got my certification last year in April and didn't start my first CNA job until this past March. Almost a year! No one even noticed. I would suggest you start in LTC. There is a LOT of stuff you can learn there that you probably aren't going to learn anywhere else.

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Too Scared- I REALLY strongly suggest that you apply at a Home Health Agency.

REASONS:

1- The work shifts/hours are usually PT/flexible hours. Yes, most cases the hours may be 2-4 hours 4 to 5 days a week... BUT- you will still would have time to wrestle and kick butt- I mean kick box. Ha!

2- APPLY for Part-Time. You will still get work and still get experience!

Lastly, ambulating IS something you can handle because the client's only need you for a guide/support. Jennifer states it just right on!

WHY "HHA"- LTC would likely need you full-time or may offer a PT schedule with crazy hours. P.S. I just becme a CNA so I'm leaning toward applying at an Health Agency- I worked for one previously as an hha in NY. Good Luck!

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm not trying to be mean, but this is just silly. What kind of a job do you have now?

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I'm not trying to be mean, but this is just silly. What kind of a job do you have now?

I'm a waiter with a bachelors in biology.

*Sorry it took so long to reply, I've been looking for a job haha*

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Too Scared- I REALLY strongly suggest that you apply at a Home Health Agency.

REASONS:

1- The work shifts/hours are usually PT/flexible hours. Yes, most cases the hours may be 2-4 hours 4 to 5 days a week... BUT- you will still would have time to wrestle and kick butt- I mean kick box. Ha!

2- APPLY for Part-Time. You will still get work and still get experience!

Lastly, ambulating IS something you can handle because the client's only need you for a guide/support. Jennifer states it just right on!

WHY "HHA"- LTC would likely need you full-time or may offer a PT schedule with crazy hours. P.S. I just becme a CNA so I'm leaning toward applying at an Health Agency- I worked for one previously as an hha in NY. Good Luck!

Hello and thanks for the advice.

I am now looking at HHA, and doing some research on it. From what I gathered Its like you are a baby sitter :eek: Correct me if I am wrong :D

I can only work part time because I will be taking Nursing Pre-reqs classes and hopefully get into the program at my local university

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I was the exact same way when I started working. I was fine with everything else but ambulating pts REALLY made me nervous. Here's what you do:

1. Make sure to get the pt's activity level while in report. ie: up with assist X1, 2, etc.

2. ALWAYS use a gait belt.

3. If you're lacking confidence in your skills right away, ask the nurse or another aide to help. This may be embarrassing at first, but you really, REALLY, don't want to let them fall. lol

4. Make sure you learn the proper way to lower a pt to the floor in case they do get unsteady and need to be sat down. I was taught this in my CNA course.

5. If you're working in a hospital, ask your manager or floor educator if you could follow PT one day and learn some techniques.

6. You'll get better, I promise.

:mnnnrsngrk:

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