Wants to get into nursing by starting off as a CNA

The ? I have is as a CNA will I be wiping more (BUTTS) than checking vitals. Can a CNA work at a clinic or a hospital or do they only work with the elderly. I go into school on the 7th and need some real answers.

You'll be changing your share of patients, no doubt. You'll be doing other things too.

You'll be learning to touch and handle patients (which nursing students need to get used to doing), organizing your time and learning to handle your workload.

You'll be several steps ahead of your classmates that have never done patient care.

When someone asks me about nursing, I tell them this. Work as a CNA or Patient Care Technician in a hospital or nursing home for three months. If they can deal with that, then go ahead to nursing school.

Hospitals and Nursing homes are the best places for you to work. More so hospitals because the standards are higher and they'll teach you more (phlebotomy, EKGs, etc).

Look for someplace that will offer you tuition reimbursement as well. Many places are offering programs where they'll pay for your nursing school if you work for them after you graduate.

Hope that is helpful! Do talk to other nurses. Some will recommend it, many will not. Listen to the different viewpoints and make your own decision.

You can find a few for and against going into nursing here: http://www.nursefriendly.com/views

Sincerely,

Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly, Inc. A New Jersey Corporation.
38 Tattersall Drive, Mantua New Jersey 08051
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THANK YOU
thats excactly what i wanted to here thank you again

can cna's work in the ER

I am not sure about working in a clinic as a CNA but there is definitely work in hospitals. Working first as a CNA is the best way to get your foot in the door of a hospital so you do not have to worry so much about finding a job after you graduate. Many hospitals also offer tuition reimbursement for nursing students. You can get the hospital to pay for nursing school then for each year they paid your tuition you pay back by working as a RN in their hospital.
It for the most part is a win/win situation. After graduating if you decide to work elsewhere most other hospitals will buy out your student loan as long as you pay back the loan in service.

Besides the tuition reimbursement there are many other reasons why working as a CNA ion school helps. First of all, you are not so intimidated by your patients when you start your clinicals. You learn how to take vital signs, ambulate patients, give bedbaths which really gives you an advantage when you first start nursing school. It also helps you with time management skills. Plus getting a salary is a definite bonus. Most CNAs make today what I first made as a brand new RN. Times have changed.

Hope this helps :)