Any CNAs out there?

[ohmt]

I'm currently heading into my 6th semester at North Dakota State University-pre vet working on a microbiology major and equine studies/business management minors. I worked at a clinic for my first two years as a receptionist, but it was small so I had a lot of one on one time with the doctors/RNs/PAs and learned quite a bit. Now I haven't been working the past 6 months and I really need to get a job to help pay for rent, groceries, utilities, etc. I've already done the serving, hostessing, and various other typical college girl jobs and just really don't want to anymore. I just saw that there are going to be 3 week courses starting up the end of the month to be a CNA. I'd start off at about $11/hr which is way better than most jobs around here. My question is-is it worth it? I'll have to take the classes along with my regular 18 credits. I'd plan on being a CNA throughout the rest of my schooling...so for another 5 years or so. It'd cost me $500 to get the certification. I'm really torn as I want to be sure it'll pay off down the line. Any insights? What kind of hours and duties can I expect as a CNA?

P.s.-I can't wait til summer when I'm back on the farm (sigh)

 

[Taylor Richelle]

i don't know how much help I can be...as I am training to be a CNA (I'm 17) It all depends on where you want to work. Nursing homes, Hospitals, some child care places. Most jobs for CNA's vary in hours/$ I have sent in an application at a local nursing home and it's starting pay is $13/hour I would be working from 7am-5pm That's the day shift. Then the night shift would pay more. All in all I think it would be worth it for you, as any job in the medical field pays good. Also if you were willing to do at home care it might pay more. Again it all depends on where you live and where you work. It really looks like you have your stuff together though! Good for you!

 

[minie812]

I became a CNA way back in 1988 and took classes through the local Nursing Home. I worked for them for six months in return for the certification through the state. Then left and worked in a hospital-then worked for several different agencies as a fill in for hospitals and Nursing homes as well as private duty. I did this so I could work around my kids schedules when they were growing up. Then I was one of the first CNA's to help with a new Hospice agency in the Wichita area and got certified for Hospice (which I LOVED) Home Health and CNA. I did that for quite a few years and the Home Health/Hospice paid the best. I averaged around 26,000 to 36,000 a year depending on how much I wanted to work. After a back injury I ended up on office duty and then became their manager for a Hospice House -Home health Dept. and scheduled between 400-800 visits per week for the agency and was on call 24/7. Left there when they sold out to a BIG company and did reception work for a Surgery center and then did scheduling for eight Specialists. The door is open in Health care but it is demanding not only physically but mentally but very rewarding too! Good Luck in your efforts as it can be a wonderful field to work in. Needed to add that this was in the late 90s and around 2003 so the pay is much more now.

 

[shelterwood]

So, this is my first post on here after joining, and it's about nursing not minis! Oh well. My advice is that if you really like working in a challenging environment, very close to people, and physical labor, then you should give it a shot. I'm an RN at a hospital, and my nurse's aides make or break the quality of my day. It can be frustrating, miserable work at times, as staffing shortages and heavy patient care loads make providing the kind of quality care you desire to give hard, but all in all I love working in the healthcare field. I was a vet tech before turning to human medicine, and the bonds you make with both people and animals in these types of jobs cannot be beat. And, you will ALWAYS have a job and room for advancement, flexible schedules, and decent pay. Hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[little lady]

I worked for years as a CNA. It is a very demanding yet rewarding job. What you take from the experience will stay with you through all you do. Since you are going to be a vet it will only enrich you as a person. It will also always open a door for you. I say go for it!

 

[minie812]

I worked for years as a CNA. It is a very demanding yet rewarding job. What you take from the experience will stay with you through all you do. Since you are going to be a vet it will only enrich you as a person. It will also always open a door for you. I say go for it!

I knew there was a CONNECTION with you when you came and got POKEY...LOL

 

[Katiean]

Way back when you didn't have to be a CNA only a NA I worked for 1 week. Now I have a background where my grandmother was in a nursing home. I guess it affected me more than I thought. I came home crying every day because of the throw away people that were just there to die. This work is not meant for some people. On the other hand my mother, brother and sister-in-law all became CNA's and worked at it for years.

 

[ohmt]

Thank you very much for all of the replies and advice everyone, it is truly appreciated! I think I am going to give it a go. I talked to my mother yesterday and she told me she was a CNA back in the day which I did not know. She said it is definitely a lot of work and she did not enjoy it at all, but is a small step into the medical world which will be beneficial to my resume when it comes to applying for grad school.

Taylor-It sounds as if you're doing a pretty good job as well. Thank you for the very sweet comment!

Katiean-my mother agreed with you, that it's not for everyone. She did it for two years and she said it was incredibly draining mentally as well as physically. I think if it gets too hard for me, I'll check into my other options, but would like to try. I've been passing too many things up lately.

Thanks again everyone! Hope you're all off to a great start with this new year!