Should You Work As A CNA? | Why I Didn't and the Pros and Cons
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ย. 2021
- Many people wonder, "Should I be a CNA before becoming a nurse?" "Will working as a CNA give me more experience?" My answer is, it can't hurt! But working as a CNA isn't the only job that will give you the experience you need to help you be a great nurse.
In today's video, I'll talk about the pros and cons of working as a CNA while earning your nursing degree, and why I ultimately chose not to. We'll also discuss what other jobs and experiences can help prepare you for your nursing career.
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I was a nursing assistant before I became a nurse. I feel like 1 of the cons was realizing that on nursing school tests the correct answer is based off of a perfect world in a textbook, not the real world like you have seen in the hospital.
Ain't that the truth!
Spitting facts, Lisa. Sort of a mind F@#$.
I was a CNA for a very long time... now at 34 I'm going to nursing school and I work as a manager at a movie theater , which is totally relaxed and not nearly as stressful as a CNA. It's a blessing because nursing school is stressful enough.
I heard from nurses that the best nurses were once CNAs. I feel like being a caregiver/cna really taught me patience and really helped me know that nursing is what I wanted to do.
There are so many bad cnas that become nurses.
SAME
Hi Liz! I want to thank you for this video. I am a CNA and I would like to say that you're spot on in regard to pros and cons of being a Nursing Assistant. However, if I was to interject some things, I would start by saying the title CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistant), PCTs (Patient Care Technician), Care Partner are ALL the same! There are no differences and I will be the first to say it unapologetically. It all depends on the health institution in which the nurse assistant is employed that determines their role and responsibility. As a nursing assistant for the hospital that I work, I'm responsible for blood draws, EKGs, vitals, drains, documentation of elimination and so on just to name a few things. I think that being coming a CNA is great way to get your feet wet in the world of nursing. In addition, to expound on your pros to being a CNA, (FYI: this is from tenure as a NA myself) you learn how to assess patients. Which is vital to the role of being a RN. Throughout my tenure as a CNA I'm to look at my patients lab value and critically think and assess the next potential moves needed to care for my patients. I know when my patient hemoglobin gets below 7 a transfusion is needed. Especially, when my patient complains of fatigue and my patients BP is low and HR is beginning become more and more tachycardic. However, to expound on the cons of the being a CNA; practicing at NA level for too long can result in burnout and PTSD effects. Burnout from the immense hard work that a NA has to do, especially when the NA to patient ratio (1:6 to 18) in comparison to nurses (1:4 or 5) are twice as many. And lastly, I say PTSD because of how most RNs can treat NAs. In a very dismissive, belittling, disrespectful type of way. And I'm not going to go on that soap box lmao. In essence, Liz great job on the video. I really enjoyed It! I look forward to seeing your other content.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It is super helpful! And I'm so sorry that some nurses treat CNAs poorly. You are too valuable to the team to be treated like that!
Sad 😢
My aunt and grandmother were both RNs. They both loved and respected CNAs. They have both said CNAs are the backbone of the nursing field. I'm sorry to hear you're treated poorly by other nurses. You are just as important, if not more important and deserve respect.
You are spot on.
Thanks for this post Dorian. I needed to read it 👌🏽
I’m about to start nursing school, but I am coming from a 9 year career as a 911 dispatcher ! 😬
Before I worked as a nurse I was a CCA ( Canadian version of CNA) so grateful that I did that because I learned so much and like you said, learned how to interact with patients. It was also great too because I didn't need any extra education, I had the job as long as I was in school. Often before you graduate you are working minimum wage positions and it's difficult to make ends meet. But as a CCA I was well above the minimum wage and making overtime so that's a huge bonus too. I also worked as a pharmacy assistant and I can't recommend that enough either! I'm so much more familiar with medications now which makes my job as a nurse so much easier!
Thank you for sharing! Definitely such a great way to get experience with the meds and overal system!
Patient sitter here! It definitely is a good option if you want a foot in the door and what to expect when working in a hospital. Great video 💕
Y'all don't have it easy!
@@Arany-Csillag we definitely don’t!
@@DaniByNature I was a sitter for a year. It's a great job but also thankless work. Sitters/CNAs are the hardest workers in the hospital imho keep up the great work! You're amazing!
@@Arany-Csillag thank you. I appreciate that!
ALL THE RESPECT FOR YOU. You are so appreciated and undervalued and I just want to say thank you!
There’s a HUGE difference in my current clinical cohort between those who are currently working as a CNA vs those who have not. The confidence & just foundational primary care skills are very obvious.
I was / am a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in The last 30 days of an RN program. There’s a tremendous amount of overlap between nursing and therapy because occupational therapy comes from nursing. In occupational therapy you adapt, teach, and train people how to regain independence in their ADLs. Therapists in the SNF, IP, ALF, ILF, and HH do all things a CNA does because teaching requires doing the activity, analyzing the activity, identifying the deficit, and then breaking the deficit down to its individual components so The deficits can be addressed.
What a super cool background to have! I never even thought of this but its genius. We learn SO LITTLE about different therapies in nursing school and this would give you such a well rounded background. Thank you for sharing!
Is your job market still in demand
Thanks for making this video! I’m working as a travel CNA now (while I figure my life out lol) and another option for CNAs is to work per diem through staffing agencies. Depending on the area they can pay between $20/hr-$40/hr and you can make your own schedule. The only downfall is that the work is usually very intense with ratios depending on where you are and the majority of the shifts are in LTC facilities. But just another option if you needed to make money while you’re in school or just needed some more experience!
Agree! And don't let the name travel scare you because you can take local assignments and still have a rooted family life if you want. We have lots of travelers since the nursing shortage and it's fun meeting people that can tell you so much about places near and far.
Where did you study please? University or Community College @LaDonna Duncan
CNA here, working per Diem through agency in acute care hospitals. One is a trauma facility with a huge psych ER and behavioral health unit. At the trauma hospital I’m usually a sitter but so far after switching to day shift have been doing about 1/2 sitter half Floor CNA. Fast paced, on my toes every minute on the floor. As a sitter just have to be alert and in tuned to patients. My second hospital is a smaller community hospital converted to large health system hospital; there I work every unit/floor from ICU/CCU to med surge and ER. I love both facilities and so far have always received good feed back, great education, and plenty of help from Nurses.
Pay through agency is excellent 30+ an hour. Only draw back I have to purchase my own benefits. Starting LVN school next month, thus registry. I’m in So California :) I did have 1 year Acute care experience as a CNA ( was lucky to get hired at a county facility) to get started with agency. My first CNA job was in a SNF, a sub Acute unit (4 months) and it was rough! 😂
I too was also a Barista/ shift supervisor in my 20’s prior to health care experience… got in through kitchen then moved to registration representative and then bed control person. By far the most challenging was the bed control job, juggling beds, calls from ER, floors, doctors, hospitals, and house supervisor… but that prepared me the best for this journey!
Oooh I didn't even know you could do a travel agency gig for CNA! Thank you for sharing!!
I do this too and currently am a nursing student
Did not have a choice in ICU as an RN - you are the patient's everything including helping them breathe by sucking up all that phlegm through all the necessary tubes - we did not have CNA's whom I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Was a CNA and a Nurse Tech, my back is still sore 27 years later but wouldn't change a thing. CNA's are the backbone of healthcare and should be paid more for all they do. Kudo's ya'll, respect.
This is so true! When you don't have them is when you realize how important they are!
I'm an Assistant In Nursing in Australia, i did the certification in high school and got a job at the hospital i trained at. I'm a casual pool so i get to pick my shifts and work as much or as little as i want, and with the added bonus of not working on the same unit every shift. I have done med/surg, paeds, emergency, ICU and postpardum nursing so i have gained a lot of experience and knowledge that way. I have a sweet position and will be kinda sad to give up the freedom when i graduate my nursing degree haha
Ooooh a per diem thing is definitely an awesome way to go! Thank you for sharing!
Automotive Tech at Walmart: I’d say the 2 biggest takeaways are learning people skills and how to deal with all types of customers
Also, learning hands on skills that I didn’t think I’d be capable of. Sure, it’s basic maintenance on vehicles that we perform, but it still gives me confidence that I can go into situations where I may not know much of anything but am more than capable of learning the skills necessary for the job
Thanks for sharing! These are so important!
I remember when I was interested in nursing and asked a nursing group what could I do besides CNA to get experience. At that time I already worked at an early education center on a private university . I also had a family so couldn’t afford to take a job that was low paying.
Nearly everyone In The group called me names and said I look down on CNAs and shouldn’t be a nurse. I attempted to explain to them that wasn’t my intention, I had already completed the CNA course but knew there were options. I was blocked from the group and received a lot of private nasty messages. That was a catty experience and it turned me off from nursing.
I decided to drop nursing altogether and go into Tech. Could not be happier. 🤗
I don’t blame you for not wanting to become a CNA. It’s a very hard job & I chose going back to working in home health or another job while pursuing a career in nursing because a job like CNA can zap a person’s energy.
I don’t know what’s happening in every area but they have agency CNAs now and they can pick their hours and they make real money here in Chicago. I went back to school at 41 to be a nurse so I’d had 26 years of work experience. Most of the daily skills I use as a nurse are from managing Starbucks, being a waitress, and being a pharmacy tech. I use those skills from those so-called “unskilled” jobs every single day as a nurse.
Thanks for sharing! I did the barista thing too! Definitely came in handy
Working as a hospital phlebotomist is also a great experience. The Lab is very underestimated and the skills you acquire will help tremendously! I'm a phleb and let me tell you... multitasking is essential.
Thanks for sharing!
CNA and medical scribe! The CNA job had all the benefits you mentioned + I worked in the ICU so getting comfortable with all the fragile lines/tubes etc was beneficial for not being intimidated! Medical scribe was awesome for the medical/physician side of things, I followed the ED doctors and typed up their HPI notes, so I learned the medical terminology, lab tests, the flow of how a doctor interviewed and worked up the patient, and how to write HPIs in an organized and concise manner! Also getting used to the medical record. It really helped with care plan notes and increased my typing speed to 100 words/min and now is very useful experience to draw on for SOAP notes in NP school!
This was super helpful thank you! getting used to all the lines and everything would absolutely be SO helpful. That is so insanely intimidating, especially at the beginning.
I just started my first CNA job as experience for nursing school. They call us nursing care technicians. For transparency, our university hospital starts us at $16.20/ hr. Our hospital also trains us in phlebotomy and makes us draw the labs for our floor. I work on a med-surg unit that sees post surgical orthopedic and GI patients. Can't believe I'm saying this, but med-surg is chaotic and I love it. LOL. Also, this is the first time I'm seeing some patients utilizing remote sitters and that is absolutely crazy.
CNA in a hospital here: first, Nurse Liz, you are so inspiring, HELPFUL, and I love to watch your videos, especially after a particularly rough day. Thank you SO MUCH for your TH-cam channel.
I came across your videos, and you definitely helped me to decide to go into nursing. My goal is to become a registered nurse, and I must say, working in the hospital as a CNA is giving me SO MUCH insight as to how bedside nursing is in the hospital setting. Wow! Nurses rock! They are able to juggle so many things. I am in awe of what nurses accomplish EVERY. DAY. I get to see first-hand what a 12hr shift is like and what the nurses do. I get to build relationships with them, my managers, and directors for when I go to apply for a position. I also get experience on different units so I know what I like and what I don’t. Also, the hospital offers tuition assistance for nursing school, which is another benefit of being an aide in the hospital setting, at least within my company. The experience with working with patients, turning them, changing them, talking to them, hands on experience, etc that I have will absolutely benefit me when I become a RN. I won’t have that hurdle to jump because I already know how to work with an actual patient. You get the experience of what the environment is like, where thi bc a are, who to call, what a rapid response/ code blue is like, and post mortem care. The nurses, when you find the nice ones who are not burnt out and get annoyed with you at ANY questions, will absolutely show and explain new things, and their rationale for what and why they are doing what they are doing, which is awesome.
I remember my first day on the job thinking, “ this is like being a waitress in a restaurant... only as healthcare.” And it absolutely is, I agree. I have a ton of waitressing experience, and I absolutely draw on the skills I learned as a waitress to complete my tasks. 100 percent.
Again, thank you so much for your channel, Nurse Liz!
Thank YOU so much for being here and for your insights! I'm sure it will be super helpful to others. And I LOVE the comparison of a CNA as a healthcare waitress! it's perfect!
If you want to become a nurse then focus on that. I took & retook the CNA course. Second time I passed but failed the state board. I found out I have a mild hearing impairment & need testing accommodations for taking manual blood pressure. I passed everything except taking a pulse and I was a CNA under conditional employment which means the facility gave me 3/4 months to get my CNA license. I was handling 17-30 residents. I would go home with a sore feet & back. I felt I wasn’t adequately compensated for the amount of work. I quit after a month. Right now I’m working as a caregiver. The advice I would give CNA doesn’t give you a leg up. I know nurses who never worked as CNAs who are RNs right now.
Im thinking of paying for my class tomorrow. but i also keep thinking what if i am not smart enough for this . Having my doubts .
CNA relief float pool - rotated through departments and worked prn / nights with my school schedule. Loved it and highly recommend to gain that CNA experience prior to becoming a nurse!
100% agree with this!! I worked at dunkin donuts and as a CNA before becoming an RN. Def worth it for the experience and finding my dream unit
I am a second careerer lol and I decided to start working as a CNA again. I left my social service job last year to start traveling as a CNA and I’ve made more money doing this than anything else I’ve done and mind you I have two degrees. When I’m home I work an an independent contractor for an agency and I also have travel companies that I work for when I want to travel. I have learned sooooooooo much!!!! I am so confident in my skills and I start my nursing program January 4th. I can’t wait!
I am considering becoming a CNA and then go onto nursing as my second career as well. I also have two degrees and have been trying to prepare myself for the initial pay cut. Can you recommend an agency that will help me find jobs as an independent contractor?
@@stephaniemorales7895 independent contractor as a CNA? Or what field?
@@marissachapman1022 My degrees are in International Business and Supply Chain and Logistics. Totally different field, I know…
@@stephaniemorales7895 great degrees! I do not have info about any companies that would hire you as an independent contractor in that field but I can help you look.
@@marissachapman1022 You are so sweet! I’ll do some research and if I get stuck I will definitely take you up on the offer 😊
While everyone has to get their nursing assistant certificate to get into nursing school, luckily for me I was already in medical assistant by the time I started my nursing program. It allowed me to go to school Monday through Thursday during the day, and go to work Friday Saturday and Sunday. I feel like deposit knowledge really helped me not have so much of a learning curve when I started nursing school as I had already been a medical assistant for several years prior. It can be worth it to clean some knowledge along the way unless you're schedule is too stretched or you are too stressed
I work at a LA County hospital as a CNA, night shift on the Med/Surg unit. It is a lot of work. We get everything and every one. It's mentally and physically demanding. I'm starting a fulltime nursing program this month, so will only be working weekends now. Working where I do now, made me realize I do Not want to work Med/Surg as a nurse 💀
But, I have gotten A Lot of experience and know how to handle a lot of different situations. So I am very grateful for that! And I know will help me when I start my nursing program.
med Surg is definitely it's own beast and I don't blame you. But I'm glad you got so much experience!
ED scribe here! And I also work on inpatient side once a week. I essentially accompany the doctor I'm with that day as they go to see patients, and as they round with them. Then I do their charts for them and continuously update them as needed! Personally I'm finding this to be great experience: being directly mentored by a variety of doctors and NP's (never worked with any PAs yet), interacting with the nurses from time to time, shadowing providers and procedures, learning how to make the perfect chart, getting to see different healthcare environments and situations at first hand (I've even gotten to watch Code Blues unfurl before my eyes. It's a crazy but very wisdom-giving experience, especially when they're successful in literally wrenching back the patient from the hands of Death itself.) In fact just watching my first codes and just being present in the ICU is what made me decide that ICU is all I want. 😍 When I'm on inpatient side too, I'm even learning how to write discharge summaries right now which is like residency level stuff! And I can't wait till I get great at them. Only downsides is that it doesn't pay as much as some other early healthcare positions, and it tends to be most friendly towards part-time seekers. So if you're wanting only fulltime it may not be the best fit. So yeah, would y'all agree too about scribing for good experience? I know I sure I love it. 🥰
Thanks for sharing!! I'm glad it's been such a good experience for you!!
I was also a scribe and I agree it was an amazing experience! You are right the pay is a little lower but I think you learn even more than as a CNA because you follow the doctor/np and learn their thought process and critical thinking/assessment skills. I would say scribe gives you “book” knowledge and CNA gives you “street” knowledge in a way!
I had no idea scribes existed until recently. I’m intrigued. I’m an RN for now but looking at options
@Leslie Watts Sadly I can guarantee that scribing makes a ton less than being an RN, especially now with demand for RNs being sky high. I say stick with that, or aim for something much better paying.
CNA here, I work on the ambulatory unit of my hospital and boy howdy is it rough, I am essentially on my feet for 8 hours 5 days a week. I have to clean the code browns, get patients dressed, clean the beds and the rooms and any other stuff that needs done. I will say I am gaining lots of good experience for when I start nursing school in January and am grateful for that. If I wasn't going into nursing school I would probably go back to Homecare as it's a lot slower paced and I actually made more money. I will never understand why the don't hire more of us as I can be drowning in beds sometimes. Luckily the nurses I work with are awesome and help out when they can.
I'm glad you work with some good nurses! And for sure, it's a tough job and the workload can be A LOT
I have very strong feelings about working as a CNA before becoming a nurse. For most community colleges in my area it’s actually a requirement to be certified before even applying. You learn SO much as a CNA, how to deal with difficult patients/ their families, how to handle a large patient load, how to just interact around patients and other healthcare personnel. I’m in nursing school now and I’ve definitely noticed that girls who never actually worked as a CNA and just got certified to apply really struggle with basic patient care and ADLs because they’ve only ever done them a few times in CNA clinicals. That’s not to say that they will be bad nurses, because I know they won’t. They just have to “catchup” a little bit to other people who are very comfortable with basic patient care already. What I do not recommend is working as a CNA while IN nursing school. It’s extremely emotionally draining, especially if you work in long term care or a hospice setting. It is also a really difficult job physically. If you have the option to not work at all during nursing school I recommend that, but if you do have to I wouldn’t do CNA. Try to find something less stressful at least mentally and emotionally.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, especially the note about working as a CNA before nursing school rather than during! You definitely do learn a lot from doing the job.
@Elizabeth. I absolutely think it is very wise to work part time or per diem as a CNA in nursing school. I did and it was the most difficult job I have ever had. It definitely made me a better nurse at the bedside and an appreciation of what they do.
Thank you for saying this Nurse Liz! Starting my career as a CNA and this is making me feel I made the right choice.
With so many recent grads coming out of nursing school during COVID, it is pretty obvious who worked in the hospital setting and who didn’t. Previous hospital experience new grads seem more comfortable and get along quicker. That being said, nurses with no hospital experience close that gap pretty quickly.
Such a wonderful, relevant video!
Thanks!
I love your vids, and appreciate your advice. Thank you!
I had my CNA license for 4 years, but only actively worked as one for about 2 years. I currently work in personal injury law as a Paralegal and have for the last 5 years. I love that's it is M-F , holidays off, so I will be doing it while in Nursing school. I work nights so it works very well with going back to school , I deal with a lot of health insurance, provider contact and medical record and bill review. considering legal nurse consultant role after graduation.
My state requires CNA as a prerequisite. And if you have CNA experience you get into the nursing program easier.
It’s very obvious when new nurses don’t have prior experience in a hospital setting. Remember that nursing school is meant to get u to pass the NCLEX not how to be a good nurse. There are so many nursing students that come to my hospital for clinicals and will stand behind the CNAs and look to them for direction. Being a CNA before nursing school should be mandatory.
Been a CNA in long term care for 3 years, I graduate as a RN in May, and I already can't wait to be a NP in the future and be away from the bedside. Understaffing is a problem everywhere, and the healthcare workers at the bedside are the ones who sacrifice the most for patient care, and get the worst treatment by patients, patient's families, and administration.
That background will help you so much! Totally agree that the bedside can be brutal. Some employers are better than others
@@NurseLiz yeah, 3 years as a CNA and 5 in retail, including management, is definitely beneficial. But lord am I tired! 😅
I am a couple weeks away from taking my CNA state certification test, and I’m so hopeful to get into the hospital of my choice in my town. I’m a second-career gal, did almost 10 years in social work and case management, but I’ve decided that nursing is what I want to do. I will definitely be leaning heavily on my customer service experience during the interviews!
I’m currently working as a CNA (in my hospital CNA do unit desk clerk, and sitter as well) and waitress and nanny as a high school senior and I want to go into nursing such a relief to hear those are the jobs you recommend lol
Im a nurse apprentice right now at my hospital and we are kinda like a PCT+. Once we get signed off on certain things we are able to do things along side a nurse such as foleys, IV’s, trach care, suctioning, sterile technique, etc. My job is definitely hard but ive learned SO SO SO much and recommend to every baby nursing student. The schedule is luckily pretty flexible too and a lot of people do pool positions and only have to work 2-3 times a month. The nurses like us a lot too because we know a little more about what they are going through.
That sounds honestly perfect! 2-3 times a month would be such a good exposure but not overly demanding.
I just left an interview for a CNA position. It’s 25 miles away from my home. The pay is $18 no thank you! I make way more at my current job and less stress.
If you are in a nursing program most programs allow you to take the CNA state exam after completing foundations. Double check!! My school does this.
This video is so informative & at the correct time, as I'm looking to study abroad to become a CNA next year.
Greetings from South Africa
I'm glad it was helpful!
I've worked on a med tele floor as a pct (cna) for 6 yrs and now just monitor tech but on the unit for 21 yrs. We get tons of nurses who were pcts on our floor first and they say they are much more ahead of the game than someone coming in green. Plus the shifts work great with school and the money is good. You can even do what's called weekend package and make lots of money because you only have to work wknds. It's fun learning things in school and understanding them on a completely different level, that you help with at work.
The nurses who were CNA's on my unit were also way more ready out of the gate I totally agree. Thank you for sharing!
thanks !
I am doing a lot of research because i am interested in going into nursing to eventually become a midwife (possibly) and I am worried to try to enroll in a nursing program with no CNA experience but I have worked for 5 years in restaurants both back and front of house so I feel like I have really strong time management and customer service skills, plus I am not afraid of hard work! Transitioning from restaurants to a CNA in my state and trying to go to school is not a pay cut I can really afford right now. Thank you for this video!!
Don’t ever worry about anything. Philippians 4:6 and may the Lord guide your possible midwifery journey. 🙏
I’m in the nursing program but I don’t have time to be a CNA and I feel like it would really help🥺
One good side effect of working as a CNA/tech/etc, is that if you don't like it, you probably won't like being a nurse.at the bedside. It also helps you discover if the code brown is a deal breaker. It is better to find that out before you spend too much money in nursing school.
great point. You see SO MUCH as a CNA for sure.
Before I was a nurse, I worked in retail as a tech associate and then supervisor at a local office supply chain. Super flexible hours despite being nearly full time, lots of customer interaction (and conflict resolution as a supervisor), and hours on hours spent fixing other people's problems with their computers and printer while trying to teach them as I went. I took the skills there and marketed myself as someone with skills in prioritization, conflict resolution, customer service, individualized education, task adaptability, accurate documentation, delegation, and time management. I can't tell you how many times I've been thankful for skills I gathered working there; gained some best friends in the process. The discounted office supplies and clearance were nice too, since I was in school!
Thanks for sharing!
I’m a nursing assistant but I’m not certified or a nursing student as my hospital does not require you to be certified for the unit I work on which is the maternity unit. Also the clinical stuff we do is vitals and blood sugars on the moms the rest is more patient care and less clinical.
Hey Liz! First, your so amazing love your personality. I’m a soon to be mother of 3, currently stay at home parent, I previously got my bachelors in Political Science and now looking for a career change. I’m definitely considering nursing but I’m not sure if I want to be a CNA first. I was thinking about going straight into the ADN program… what do you suggest ?
Thx so much
my people skills payed off for on a wards cos your work with people I've had about 50 jobs but found my feet as CNA doing my nurse training very hard to fit family life work life and training time management is key and age should not matter it's a long road but a great road
I think certain states, like the one I live in, require CNAs to be licensed and you cannot work as a tech OR CNA without that license. I worked in another state as an "ER Tech" right out of high school, and I somewhat enjoyed it but felt like such a minion I didn't stay long. In that state you could work as an LNA or tech without any formal training. Loved having fellow students in nursing school who were CNAs, as they were super helpful teaching us short cuts and making the work doing ADLS MUCH quicker and easier! I think that was good advice to let people know having a job within the hospital, while in nursing school, is SUPER helpful, especially in a competitive new grad market.
This was super helpful! Thank you! Totally can understand not staying long in the ER. From what i've heard ER techs work HARD
My whole life I wanted to be a nurse. I worked as a CNA left and never went back you get pushed down so much by nurses and patients you will be mentally down a lot. You get payed $13.50 an hour for the work you have to do for me it wasn’t worth it leaving the job crying because of how horrible it was. Sad to realize nursing was not for me my whole life it was my dream Job got a GPA of 3.9 to get into a nursing school but I headed a different direction. CNa is not for everyone and depending on the experience you have you will know if nursing is for you.
I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience! It's definitely a hard job and not for everyone. I'm glad you were able to find something that worked better for you!
I remember sitting at the bar with my husband, watching the bartender and saying, “this I just like nursing!” 😂
Being a tech is better than CNA
I worked as a CNA in a LTC for four months and learned soo much about what I liked and didn't like. Didn't have the best experience with all of me peers BUT the experience was priceless.
Thanks for sharing!
I'm a nursing student and I'm working as an RCA (Canadian version of a CNA) on a severe/special care dementia unit. I have learned A LOT about prioritization and patient safety. I work with people who have no concept of their own safety, and so I have to be that guide. I have also learned a lot about recognizing and dealing with aggressive (physical, verbal, etc) behaviours. I think in a couple months I'll change units so I can get a feel of how to communicate with patients that are more cognitive, but working special care has definitely given me a useful insight. I think something people don't realize is that a LOT of hospital patients are elderly. Dementia is pretty common in the elderly, so it's important you know how to deal with those behaviours. I feel like I've learned/ become more comfortable with communicating with patients and families, and in Canada, the CNA pay is $25.85/hr, so the money is really good. I'm making enough that I don't think I'll have to go into student debt.
I'm glad the pay in Canada is more reflective of the work CNAs do! And I'm glad you are having such a good experience! It really can be a job you learn so much valuable information from.
Where in Canada are you? That pay is big!
@@pheisharah BC!!
@@NurseLiz Don't get me wrong, I've had bad experiences too. Management often treats us poorly, understaffing is very rampant and I often do tasks that are not in my scope/job description. There's still issues, I just think as a nursing student it's a useful experience.
@@miamarvel616 nice. They don't pay that much in SK
Hey Liz, do you think online NP programs like Walden are looked down on by employers? Would going to the online program at Georgetown be different? Yes, Georgetown is a big fancy school, but it's still online.
p.s: Dig the nails!
I think it depends on the program. Some have a worse reputation that others and it totally depends on where in the country that you live. When I lived in Michigan around ann arbor employers definitely looked down on online programs, but we also had a TON of in person schools that did hybrid programs near by. When I lived in North Carolina, online programs were more accepted, as long as you could show that you were on campus sometimes. I precepted a lot of students who went to Georgetown and honestly they had a lot of the same issues that my non georgetown students had in terms of not being able to find preceptors etc, and the program didn't seem that impressive. I'd probably save my money on that one and go with something else. But definitely ask around in your area and see if you can get a feel for how the employers in your area view the diffeerent online programs
@@NurseLiz Thanks so much! You da bomb
i work in restaurant but in the kitchen . I am gonna pay for my cna class tomorrow and I really don’t know anything about healthcare lmao i know a little thats about it. I was put on a 5150 and thought oh it would be cool working in a mental hospital. but even now i am having doubts but i guess ill see where it goes
What also can't be understated is that any job at a hospital or a doctor's office gives you access to other health professionals. It allows you to have discussions with doctors, imaging techs, pharmaceutical reps, nurses, HR, etc. Having someone to talk to does help when trying to determine which career path you're interested in pursuing and sometimes the hospitals (workplaces in general) will help with the cost of schooling. Where I used to work as an CMA, certified medical assistant, they offered to pay a portion of the cost for PA school (after becoming an RN) with the caveat of paying it back by working there for 5 years after becoming a PA.
Bottom line, talking to people in the field is really helpful. You don't need to work in the medical field to talk to these professionals but it does make it easier and they are mostly happy to give advice.
omg this is such a good point! thank you for bringing it up! The amount of pure networking and knowledge exposure you get from working in these areas is HUGE! Thank you again!
I work as a mental health worker and start nursing school this fall.
Question,,,I am international CNA. I graduted nursing school with associate degree. I sat the nclex and pass. The prolem is I cant find a job in the US because I am not RN in my home country. what can I do?
i was a CNA in 2011 and only for 2 years and after that i became an auto technician for 8 years and now that theres a pandemic the healthcare is where the money at so i decided to enroll to a nursing school as an LPN/LVN starting this december 13 and its my birthday 😆
Happy Birthday!!! And congrats on starting your new program this year!!🥳
So you never explained why you chose not to be a CNA before you became a Nurse? Reasons why?
I just got certified as a CNA, and am CPR certified as well. and will be applying for a Nursing program in Jan 2022, and I’m wondering if I should work as a CNA right now. I average $23/hr working as a driver for DoorDash and Grubhub, and I love the flexibility this GIG gives me. In my area, CNA’s are paid $26/hr., and if I chose to be a CNA, it would be nice gaining the experience as well as hopefully having some benefits, as I don’t have any currently with DoorDash and Grubhub. The downfall of working as a CNA is taxed. I hate them! So that $26/hr really is $22/hr after taxes are taken out. Everything I make with my current GIG jobs are 100% in my bank account, and come tax time, I write so many expenses off, that I actually get money back, and never have to pay taxes. Plus my schedule won’t be flexible as a CNA like it is.
So I’m in a bind. I think I’m going to try the CNA thing out, and see how I like it, but what do you think you would do if you were in my situation?
I could make more money being a waitress and the schedule was better. Also it didn't involve poop haha. usually.
Currently a Nursing Assistant while waiting to get into nursing school, sometimes it already wears me out thinking whether I’m gonna make it because the program is getting so competitive lately. :/ And thank you for saying that about sitters, lol! I just came back from a sitter shift last night and it was the absolute worst. 😩 People usually think we just sit around all night, and some RNs always brush off our concerns and tell us to be more ‘patient’ when really, they’re not the ones who deal with the pts all night and their tantrums when the nurses delay or not give their medications for some reason.
Worked for 2 days and i quit! Whyyy?? Well the facility was a hot stankin mess. Too much drama , fighting , and whatevwe. Im not here for tht. Everyone had their clique . The work place did not encourage new cna to ask quesitons and feel comfortable to make mistakes. I left and i felt so devasted bc i genuinely love the residents 😢
Worked at krogers as a cashier when I was in nursing school and then a LPN in a nursing home and at a hospital during the last half of nursing
did you find those to be helpful later on as a nurse?
@@NurseLiz certainly with the customer service aspect of working at a grocery store.
I think ER Tech is the better advantage but you get worked harder. CNA is a good exposure if you wish to go to the floor tho.
omg ER tech is like no experience out there. we called ER techs up to the floor all the time when we couldnt get an IV or needed extra help.
I started out as a CNA/EMT before I became a LVN.
I am a nursing student no kidding few days ago I was thinking to become a CNA but my fear is that I do not want to fail school 😅 I am bit confused 😅
Nurses who where not CNA'S before RN'S ARE THE MOST INSENSITIVE / WORSE NURSES..ESPECIALLY IN LTC...
So in High School I was on an IEP do you think I will be able to do nursing school I really want to be a nurse but I am worried about school.
Don’t worry-pray. Philippians 4:6-7
@@ONEFAITHofJESUS thank you
@@eschalusk3899 🤗 🌷
Don’t. You will hurt your back and you can learn it all in the first semester. Be a waitress. You will make more and not injure your body and learn multitasking, time mgmt and customer care just as well.
I honestly was thinking of this… it’s a lot of physical stress on your body… I’m not sure if it’s worth investing my time and money intonit
When I worked Starbucks, I’d ask the nurses that came through about what skills I needed as a nurse. Immediately they said “you’re a people person, you can strike up a conversation without a problem. You’ll be ok”
If it works, it works! Also, bless you for previously providing life juice!!
Respiratory Therapist ICU/CCU/CSU .worked full time through it all. ADN, transitioned into nursing just prior to starting the BSN Completion, MSN nursing and healthcare education. Even though I worked with many of the nurses prior to being a nurse I was totally caught off guard about how nasty nurses are to each other. I Would never do it again. The profession was abusive and degrading.
Of they are willing too because the ones in my unit are very rude 😒
So true!!! I work in nutritional supplement retail with daily educational requirements and matching products with customers. We always joke about how we are nurses and pharmacists by default. I even handled a customer having a stroke.
I think I will do CNA for quit my restaurant job and eventually will became a nurse but I am afraid of cleaning 💩
You will hurt your back I didn’t for this reason not worth chronic pain for minimum wage just be a waitress lol 😂
Eeeexactly haha
Life is a clinical.🤓
I texted you on IG but no reply 😔
I'm sorry about that, Bola! I get so many messages on there a day, that it's nearly impossible to get to them all.
Yes don't be that nurse.