Was this true for you?

My aunt has worked as a CNA before and I asked her advice on it. She said, "Why would you do that, Alicia?" She talked with my mother on the phone stating that I'll probably hate it the first year. Did you all hate being a CNA and then grew to like it? What was your experience?

Alicia

After I realized that I wanted to become a nurse, I quit my job in the biotech industry and pursued a job in healthcare as a CNA. Being a CNA, like every job, has its pros and cons. For me, I wanted the patient care experience before I enter nursing school. It is definitely hard work, but very satisfying. It's not for everyone, though. I have never hated it....I get satisfaction knowing I might have made a difference in that residents day, whether it be asking how their day was, or just by holding their hand. Maybe you can volunteer at a hospital and get some exposure to caring for patients first, and then pay the money to take a CNA course (I suggest the CNA training at the Red Cross). Whatever you decide, good luck to you!

This job is HARD. The patients are fatter, more acutely ill than before. The facilities want you to do more with less. You'll hurt your back, you'll hurt your knees, people will cuss at you, hit you, kick you, spit at you, scream at you your entire shift. You'll fall in love with some people who will go down the tubes and die. The ones you can't stand will stay alive (out of pure spite it feels like sometimes).

Not to even mention all the poop!

Well, it can be what you make it. I wasn't too thrilled with it, because it was very physical, I left home tired and didn't think I made a big difference. On the other hand, I don't think I made much of a difference as an LPN, either, because I walk home feeling the same way.

You may go home with a sense of pride that you conquered a skill that you didn't think you can do, that you worked faster than you did before, or that you picked up on something that was caught in time. There are the patients that you will really care for...and the others that you may wish were somewhere else. You have to make your own goals to please yourself. All I can guarentee is that you WILL be tired in the beginning. Good luck!

From early on...i had a very different view on my work as a CNA..i knew that if i did my work 'unto the nursing facility' or 'unto this" or 'unto that"...i would never ever make it!

What I did...and it wasnt easy..was change my outlook and perspective about the issues surrounding the aging process and all that goes with it. I didnt understand what institutionalized care was and how it is perceived...how it feels to be away from your family and loved ones..how it feels when the kids "cant do it anymore"..whats worse is when people have lived 'in the system" for so long that there is no immediate family(and if there is) they dont give a rip. So then..WE become the surrogate family, we step in as caregiver, advocate, friend, listener, and support system.

When i learned and understood all that surrounds LTC, Assisted Living, group homes..etc, it made me understand my responsibility even greater. Yes these systems are in place, and WE have been called to do a mighty work..and if we can put ourselves in the wheelchair, the bed...we will be naturals at provide restorative care at the levels that ensure physical healing...emotional, spiritual, and basic needs being met..our goals will be met.

I wouldn't say that I hated it but I will say that I was thinking "how in the world am I going to do this" for the first few months. It was deffinetly hard. I think that once you learn all the residents, learn what the job entails, and acquire your own routine it becomes a lot easier. I love what I do now.

Hi Tigger!!!

Follow your heart! This is definitely HEART work. That does not mean be the doormat, or one who doesnt tactfully speak up for herself..(smile)!! It is hard, very, very, very hard!!! Especially the "on the front line" in your face patient care that the CNA does everyday!!!

Just learn and absorb as much as you can!! When it gets to be too much..breathe. Take a look around the internet and see if there are RN or LPN programs near you..start slowly if you need to. Never say never and dont let anyone talk you out of anything that you love doing!!:wink2:

Thanks you all. I feel a bit better now about it all. I've been saving up for classes which I hope to start in the next month for so. Thanks for the advice!

Thanks you all. I feel a bit better now about it all. I've been saving up for classes which I hope to start in the next month for so. Thanks for the advice!

Another thing I want to add.......the hardest thing for me when I first started was time management. It seemed like I was always the last one done with rounds, the last to get my residents up for dinner. Its just a matter of being efficient. I've been at this LTC facility for about 2 months and, granted, I do work faster than when I first started. But, I always make sure I spend time talking to the residents, asking them how their day was....not just pulling them out of bed and whisking them off to dinner. I always think about if that was a family member, how would I want them to be treated?

I am also a CNA with over ten years of experience that can last a lifetime. Being a CNA is one of the hardest jobs in the healthcare field. This job calls for lots of patience and tolerance. You extend a hand, offer a hug, be a great listener.....Still there are lots of diapering involved, depending on the nature of the case. .

Another thing I want to add.......the hardest thing for me when I first started was time management. It seemed like I was always the last one done with rounds, the last to get my residents up for dinner. Its just a matter of being efficient. I've been at this LTC facility for about 2 months and, granted, I do work faster than when I first started. But, I always make sure I spend time talking to the residents, asking them how their day was....not just pulling them out of bed and whisking them off to dinner. I always think about if that was a family member, how would I want them to be treated?

I've been working as a CNA for 2 years and still am slower than a few of the others but I don't let it bother me because I know that my residents are well taken care of. I worked with someone down a hallway with lets say 15 and I put 6 people to bed in the time it took her to do 9. For awhile I was feeling bad because she put most of the people to bed but my people were the ones who received the cares that they should while making conversation with them. I also had a nurse tell me not to let it get me down because my residents are recieving the care they deserve. I don't hurry up and get my people done so I can sit at the front desk and do nothing. It bugs me so much when people do that. It's not a job that you can be there just for a paycheck.

You've been there for 2 years..if there was a problem..you wouldve heard it by now. You are obviously doing a wonderful job. Im sure the nurses are thrilled. Besides getting patients to bed..you kinda have all night..so you are trying to take your time with each one. Wonderful.:wink2:

I have been a CNA for 3 years and I have to say in the beginning I was very curious and not so sure because of the things I had heard also never thinkin I could stand giving someone ADL care but once I had done it I thought to my self that this could be me someday and I hope to have some caring, respectful person to assist me! So as time goes on you have doubts but I love what I do and those that I do it for! Oh and the feelin you get when one of your pa's or residents tell you thank you and they love you ! Oh what can I say it makes your light up ! :balloons: :monkeydance: