I am interested in getting into the medical field. I was thinking either CNA or Nursing. I know that nursing I would need a degree, but I see Free CNA courses for nursing homes all of the time.
I want to know what type of a day it would be like. What you would recommend someone who is interested in this job to do to get one. You can even write what a typical day in your job is like...add in what position you have, and what type of place you work-like hospital is going to be different from nursing home.
I have a job right now and I totally didn't apply to the last CNA offer in the paper because of this. I really hate my job though...I get yelled at...for usually nothing. But I have been there for over a year and I have NEVER missed 1 day of work EVER!! There were a few days I was late because I had a doctors appointment but I made them first thing in the morning and usually never missed for than 30 minutes. I am always on time all other days.
I am a receptionist and I do like working with people...people who don't yell at me (sorry it has been a long day). And I have a degree in office specialist so I know all of the Microsoft Applications if that helps.
I have been kind of wishing I had gone for nursing instead of office work. Now I kind of feel like it is too late.
I know alot of people like me because I am friendly. I enjoy meeting people and I try to make customer's days brighter-when I can. At my office we have regulars and I really look forward to them because I've gotten to know them. Like I said, I never miss work. I am super interested in reading health stuff-I've lost over 100 pounds and like I said I wish I had done nursing instead of office.
thanks for any advice and any stories. You can even tell me if you don't like being a nurse or CNA.
I got my CNA through a nursing home deal (education in exchange with working for them for a certain period of time). Best thing I've ever done in my life. I'm not going to sugar coat it, its a tough line of work if you have a heart. Its so emotionally rewarding making a difference in the lives of the elderly and you can learn so much from them. Physically its a demanding job but you'll get used to it in time (you're gonna want to take good care of your feet because they'll be screaming at first). The down side to this job r coworkers. Some people only do it for the money and treat patients horribly. I had tons of problems with people leaving work to me because they knew I'd always pick up the slack. I loved the work but couldn't stand the office politics. I do home health now and hoping soon to go get my RN so I can work in a hospital. Its amazing to make a difference in peoples lives.
I got my CNA through a nursing home deal (education in exchange with working for them for a certain period of time). Best thing I've ever done in my life. I'm not going to sugar coat it, its a tough line of work if you have a heart. Its so emotionally rewarding making a difference in the lives of the elderly and you can learn so much from them. Physically its a demanding job but you'll get used to it in time (you're gonna want to take good care of your feet because they'll be screaming at first). The down side to this job r coworkers. Some people only do it for the money and treat patients horribly. I had tons of problems with people leaving work to me because they knew I'd always pick up the slack. I loved the work but couldn't stand the office politics. I do home health now and hoping soon to go get my RN so I can work in a hospital. Its amazing to make a difference in peoples lives.
Thank you!!
Yes, I had an ad from a newspaper a few months back for free classes but didn't sign up. I wish I had.
I totally understand office politicis, that is why I am looking for something else. I am just so tired of it...and I don't mind working!! I am really happy when I am busy, maybe not overly busy that it is more stress, but knowing I have a nice little list to do is fun. It is when I do work that I get yelled at for...that it isn't "perfectly" in the line and stupid stuff like that.
Do you ever get yelled at?
My boss once threatened to kill me, I put his mail where I always put it only he was late that day....
Are you OK with body fluids, lots of poop cleanup, having people dump work on you, and dealing with confused patients who may be physically and verbally abusive due to their dementia/confusion? Are you OK with standing/walking for 8-12 hours, bending over, kneeling, lifting, and sliding patients up in bed multiple times per shift? How are you at working with jaded, rude people- both patients and coworkers? (It happens, even in the best of working environments.)
It's a very difficult, but very worthwhile job. I've done CNA work since 2007, and am one semester away from finishing nursing school. I have a soft spot for the elderly, and I love the challenge of the orthopedics hospital floor that I'm currently working on. I'm actually hoping to get hired there as a nurse once I graduate in December (fingers crossed!) I love it, and can't imagine doing anything else. However, it is not for everyone. It is complex, emotionally and physically demanding, and you have to learn when/where to draw the line with negative workplaces... sometimes all you have is your ethics, and you have to stand up for the patient or against management even if it means you may lose your job. Willing to fight the good fight? Welcome aboard!!
Are you OK with body fluids, lots of poop cleanup, having people dump work on you, and dealing with confused patients who may be physically and verbally abusive due to their dementia/confusion? Are you OK with standing/walking for 8-12 hours, bending over, kneeling, lifting, and sliding patients up in bed multiple times per shift? How are you at working with jaded, rude people- both patients and coworkers? (It happens, even in the best of working environments.)
It's a very difficult, but very worthwhile job. I've done CNA work since 2007, and am one semester away from finishing nursing school. I have a soft spot for the elderly, and I love the challenge of the orthopedics hospital floor that I'm currently working on. I'm actually hoping to get hired there as a nurse once I graduate in December (fingers crossed!) I love it, and can't imagine doing anything else. However, it is not for everyone. It is complex, emotionally and physically demanding, and you have to learn when/where to draw the line with negative workplaces... sometimes all you have is your ethics, and you have to stand up for the patient or against management even if it means you may lose your job. Willing to fight the good fight? Welcome aboard!!
--Wendy
I don't know how I will do...that is why I didn't do the Free CNA classes to begin with because I don't know if I can handle that. And it isn't like I can shadow a CNA or a nursing during the day and see if I think I could do that?? I am stuck in a job that some days doesn't seem much better either. So I can't say...
But I can say I have had customers who are hard of hearing and I still try to communicate with them. I've had customers who flirt with me all of the time. I've had them grab me. I've had them say weird things to me. Some of them don't smell like they've bathed in a while, some of them look like they need more clothes...but I can point out a few of those customers who I have started to see past their shabby clothes and I really enjoy seeing them come in.
Oh, plus where I work I am on my feet alot!! I have to make copies, run back and forth around the office, and take care of customers. I do have some desk work but between that I might have to stand up numerous times during that.
Thank you!!
Yes, I had an ad from a newspaper a few months back for free classes but didn't sign up. I wish I had.
I totally understand office politicis, that is why I am looking for something else. I am just so tired of it...and I don't mind working!! I am really happy when I am busy, maybe not overly busy that it is more stress, but knowing I have a nice little list to do is fun. It is when I do work that I get yelled at for...that it isn't "perfectly" in the line and stupid stuff like that.
Do you ever get yelled at?
My boss once threatened to kill me, I put his mail where I always put it only he was late that day....
I had the most amazing boss really. My charge nurses were all sweet people who taught me so much! The director of nursing saw how I worked and asked me if I'd be willing to work in the special care unit for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Once in a while they'd yell but that's all part of units like that. Closest really I got to yelling was when a nurse that did nothing but sit and make other people do her work so she could text started crap with me calling me lazy while I did her work lol. If you aren't squeamish about body fluids and are a kind, compassionate person the pros will outweigh the cons. Its very important though to remember to take care to not get burnt out. If you want to then I say go for it!
Dagny18, I have been working taking care of an Alzheimer's patient for the past 6 years, 44hrs a week. As Eydawn stated, it's a lot of work, but definately worth it! I start LPN school at the end of the summer, it's a 10 month program. I feel financially speaking, it's a smart move for right now. I can work as an LPN and then have my employer pay for me to go back to school (hopefully!) The 10 month program is intense but afterwards I'll have a rewarding career! I definately feel the medical feild is a wonderful field to get into, you can further your education as you go, the sky is the limit! Good luck with your career change!
I can't help you with your choice but just a couple of questions ? You say you are only late for work a few days, on those days that you are going to be late do you tell your boss that you will be late because of a Doctor's appt ?At almost any job you can have unpleasant bosses or coworkers it all depends on the people.
I have never wanted to be CNA Or a nurse although I have worked in a hospital. I think if I had to make a choice I would go for RN you have many different choices of places to work as an RN.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
You might want to also consider becoming a Certified Medical Assistant. Or if you want to just work the front desk in a doctors office or hospital maybe a Medical Office Assistant.
I can't help you with your choice but just a couple of questions ? You say you are only late for work a few days, on those days that you are going to be late do you tell your boss that you will be late because of a Doctor's appt ?At almost any job you can have unpleasant bosses or coworkers it all depends on the people.
I have never wanted to be CNA Or a nurse although I have worked in a hospital. I think if I had to make a choice I would go for RN you have many different choices of places to work as an RN.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Yes, I always notify them ahead when I will be late and I am never more than 30 mins late. I work during the day hours and when I got off work all doctors offices are closed-or at least the one I go to is. I think they would rather me take care of my health right? Plus, the one day we got off after Thanksgiving, I actually used it to go to the doctors...so I used one of my holidays to go to the doctors lol
There are unpleasant people everywhere but this is just getting stressful and there is no good HR to really do anything about it.
I was just wondering about the lateness in your original poet it looked likeyou were just coming in late without notifying your boss. Any boss knows that employees sometimes have to go to the doctor or dentist or have other appts during working hours, should not be a problem for most employers.
I was just wondering about the lateness in your original poet it looked likeyou were just coming in late without notifying your boss. Any boss knows that employees sometimes have to go to the doctor or dentist or have other appts during working hours, should not be a problem for most employers.
This isn't about me being late though...
This is just about the boss being too much of a jerk most of the time. I really can't take it much more...I am a very good employee and I feel as though I am stuck there. Things aren't working out for me.
I'm not a nurse or CNA, but have been working in the medical field for the past 10 years. Started out as a phlebotomist and worked my way through school to become a clinical lab scientist (lab tech).
Have you considered phlebotomy (drawing blood)? The training is pretty short and it will get you into the medical field quickly so you can see if you really want to commit to nursing (or another specialty altogether). You get direct patient contact, but no lifting of patients or cleaning up icky stuff. The work can be demanding, but if you are good at interacting with all sorts of people you will be fine. Also, some hospitals will pay for additional training if you work there for a certain amount of time.
My mom, in her fifties at the time, did the course at a nursing home to become a CNA. She came home for lunch a lot of times because she just had to get away from the nursing home. It was very physically demanding, moving patients, cleaning up after patients, bathing patients. I have seen her more than once come home with her clothes totally soaked where she had tried to give patients a shower. The final straw that made her quit was when a patient had asked her to heat up their food, and while she was in the room where the microwave was, she poured herself a cup of coffee and got yelled at for 'taking a break' when there was work to do. She quit the nursing home right after that. She then got into home health and loved it, until she went to catch a falling patient and tore her rotator cuff. That pretty much ended her career.
Just know that it is physically and emotionally demanding, and there are still workplace politics at any job.
CNAs and Nurses, career advice?
