Hello all. My name is Ryan. I am glad to see that there is a place for CNA's to go and talk about things. I know I am a rare breed, but I am a male CNA. I have been in the medical field since I was 14. I was an EMT for 3 years and got into a CNA program to try in-facility care. I have to say it is a very rewarding job to be a CNA. Its definately a change from pre-hospital care, but I like it just as well. I am actually looking to go to LPN school here before long. My ultimate goal would be to obtain my RN and challenge the Paramedic exam here in Pennsylvania. The title, once the exam is passed, is known and Health Professional. I would be able to be on the street as a paramedic and could also work as a nurse on the inside as well.
I know I have put up quite a long reply on here, but I just wanted to give everyone a little bit of background on myself.
Thank You
Welcome to the site, Ryan! I copied your post to the Intro. Forum; hope you don't mind. :)
We have an EMT/RN here on the Board who you would be interested in conversing with.
Also, I did the CNA/LPN/RN route. Took me a while to get the RN, but you can do it!
Hope you drop by often! I look forward to your posts.
'Cat'
I didn't start the Cna route but I am an LPN that is working on getting her RN and going further on from that...that is if I don't owe to much money..lol student loans can eat u up!
Hello Ryan,
Good to hear from you, we need more guys in the nursing field. Historically we have hovered around 6 percent of the nursing population.
Having worked as a nursing assistant will help you as a nurse. You've already gotten over the initial uneasiness over "touching" patients that holds a lot of nursing students back. It will have taught you how to organize your time, and get your assignment done.
Would recommend that you go back to school for your LPN/RN sooner rather than later. Nursing instructors are starting to retire in droves, meaning spots in nursing programs will be harder and harder to find.
Best of luck in 2009!
Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com