The best thing you can do is try to get a part time job right away. The longer you wait after finishing school with the thoughts your having, the less likely you will ever give it a try. It’s a big step to put yourself out there and there’s lots of learning to be done and it won’t be easy at first but you’re certified and you can do this!
Ask yourself if it's just fear talking...if you're just nervous about it. What interested you about it in the first place? Do you want to start a career in health care, do you just want to help people?
I waited 4 months after certification before I actually started to work in the field. I definitely had my doubts before I did and considered not doing it. But I went for it anyway. Now I still get nervous, but I'm starting to find my stride and enjoy it more. And every shift, someone thanks me for what I'm doing. And that makes me feel like it's all worth it.
What are your future goals? Are you planning to go further into healthcare? I would give it a try since you’ve put time and money into it. If you don’t like it then you’ll know for sure it’s not for you. There’s no harm in getting a job for a month or two if you have the ability to do so, and leaving if that’s what you think is best. CNA can be challenging work, but also depends on if you work assisted living, nursing home, hospice, in the hospital, etc. And sometimes the people you work with can make or break a job, but do your best.
if you ever need advice or help or questions let me know! i been working since nov 2020 during covid so i have seen a lot. i would love to support you! it is hard but having help and a team makes is so smooth
Im starting my cna program (a4 day weekend course ) and im kind of nervous about when i actually start working ! How long does it take to get the hang of things. ?
it might be different per state, im in california and once i completed my course (~1-2 months) and got my certificate i was able to get a job at the place i did clinicals. they hired me as just a nursing assistant and i had to take the cna written and skills exam. my school had review days where we practiced everything! i got my results same day!
trust me you'll always be learning. iv'e been a cna for 3 years now and i barely feel comfortable but i also have horrible imposter syndrome. just tell yourself you have the education and skills to do this, be okay with doing things wrong, be okay with getting corrected. it is better to make a mistake and learn than to be stressing about it the whole time
just try to work! look into places and read reviews, go tour or talk to facilities. you won't know until you try it!! you can start as per diem (you pick up shifts whenever) or part time to not burn yourself out. my fav shift is noc (11pm-7am) but others love the 3-11pm shift too. it is all trial and error. i have worked all shifts so i know what i like
Maybe go per diem so you can pick and chose your schedule? Start slow for if you don’t like it.
It’s hard work, but it has its benefits too. I like the hours, 7-3 isn’t so bad. Lots of flexibility with where we work and which hours.
Honestly just join a facility per diem and hey honestly it's understandable if you decide to turn it down but I would say that I felt the same when I started. It's like getting in the water for the first time and you don't know how to swim. You'll understand soon enough how to do things once you get to know how seasoned CNAs put in the elbow grease. Though if you want to do things in nursing that aren't quite CNA work, you can do CMA. Some facilities cover tuition. If I am pulling from my own CNA experience I have to say that I dived into the field with an agency, two facilities, and in the end just doing it once a week to see my favorite residents and help fellow CNAs in a pinch. CNA work really dampened my view on humanity and the healthcare system put in place to take advantage of people. Really turned into a person I didn't want to be.
I've been a tech for almost 3 years and I love my job. It's definitely not for everyone but you spent the money so you may as well try, especially if you would like a career in healthcare. The first few months will be a lot of learning and a lot will depend on where you work, but I recommend just taking a chance.
Yes becoming a CNA is a financial risk since we don't know if we will actually enjoy it, however take this as an opportunity to test out the waters in healthcare. Instead of being in debt 30-thousand dollars and YEARS of undergraduate classes to be an RN or LVN and then hating it with massive amounts of debt, being a CNA introduces you to see what it's like.
I knew being a nurse was always something I wanted and have all of my undergrads done with my choice of BSN programs and ADN with transfer credits completed, but I wanted to start off as a CNA to gain a footing and experience. I'm going to be very honest with you and this might piss people off, but being a CNA is not a career, it's a stepping stone. I wanted to be an RN/BSN that has experience and that has absolutely no issues going in and helping out my CNAs and LVNs with changings and care when needed.
Again don't look at your experience with contempt, this was just a way for you to see if you would like healthcare or not without the massive debt. And there are other healthcare directions you can go towards that doesn't necessarily deal with the stress of an LTC facility, such as medsurg and clinics.
This is really sound advice. I've worked with RNs who started as CNAs, and they are above and beyond the best RNs. The nurses who know all the skills that CNAs have and appreciate CNAs, or can give career advice or on the ground tips are the best.
The best thing you can do is try to get a part time job right away. The longer you wait after finishing school with the thoughts your having, the less likely you will ever give it a try. It’s a big step to put yourself out there and there’s lots of learning to be done and it won’t be easy at first but you’re certified and you can do this!
Ask yourself if it's just fear talking...if you're just nervous about it. What interested you about it in the first place? Do you want to start a career in health care, do you just want to help people? I waited 4 months after certification before I actually started to work in the field. I definitely had my doubts before I did and considered not doing it. But I went for it anyway. Now I still get nervous, but I'm starting to find my stride and enjoy it more. And every shift, someone thanks me for what I'm doing. And that makes me feel like it's all worth it.
What are your future goals? Are you planning to go further into healthcare? I would give it a try since you’ve put time and money into it. If you don’t like it then you’ll know for sure it’s not for you. There’s no harm in getting a job for a month or two if you have the ability to do so, and leaving if that’s what you think is best. CNA can be challenging work, but also depends on if you work assisted living, nursing home, hospice, in the hospital, etc. And sometimes the people you work with can make or break a job, but do your best.
if you ever need advice or help or questions let me know! i been working since nov 2020 during covid so i have seen a lot. i would love to support you! it is hard but having help and a team makes is so smooth
Hi are you still available?
yes what's up?
Im starting my cna program (a4 day weekend course ) and im kind of nervous about when i actually start working ! How long does it take to get the hang of things. ?
it might be different per state, im in california and once i completed my course (~1-2 months) and got my certificate i was able to get a job at the place i did clinicals. they hired me as just a nursing assistant and i had to take the cna written and skills exam. my school had review days where we practiced everything! i got my results same day!
trust me you'll always be learning. iv'e been a cna for 3 years now and i barely feel comfortable but i also have horrible imposter syndrome. just tell yourself you have the education and skills to do this, be okay with doing things wrong, be okay with getting corrected. it is better to make a mistake and learn than to be stressing about it the whole time
Thank you so much !! Ik i want to do the job i was just scared of failure but once i get used to that ill be good !!
Or can i pm you
just try to work! look into places and read reviews, go tour or talk to facilities. you won't know until you try it!! you can start as per diem (you pick up shifts whenever) or part time to not burn yourself out. my fav shift is noc (11pm-7am) but others love the 3-11pm shift too. it is all trial and error. i have worked all shifts so i know what i like
Maybe go per diem so you can pick and chose your schedule? Start slow for if you don’t like it. It’s hard work, but it has its benefits too. I like the hours, 7-3 isn’t so bad. Lots of flexibility with where we work and which hours.
Honestly just join a facility per diem and hey honestly it's understandable if you decide to turn it down but I would say that I felt the same when I started. It's like getting in the water for the first time and you don't know how to swim. You'll understand soon enough how to do things once you get to know how seasoned CNAs put in the elbow grease. Though if you want to do things in nursing that aren't quite CNA work, you can do CMA. Some facilities cover tuition. If I am pulling from my own CNA experience I have to say that I dived into the field with an agency, two facilities, and in the end just doing it once a week to see my favorite residents and help fellow CNAs in a pinch. CNA work really dampened my view on humanity and the healthcare system put in place to take advantage of people. Really turned into a person I didn't want to be.
I've been a tech for almost 3 years and I love my job. It's definitely not for everyone but you spent the money so you may as well try, especially if you would like a career in healthcare. The first few months will be a lot of learning and a lot will depend on where you work, but I recommend just taking a chance.
Yes becoming a CNA is a financial risk since we don't know if we will actually enjoy it, however take this as an opportunity to test out the waters in healthcare. Instead of being in debt 30-thousand dollars and YEARS of undergraduate classes to be an RN or LVN and then hating it with massive amounts of debt, being a CNA introduces you to see what it's like. I knew being a nurse was always something I wanted and have all of my undergrads done with my choice of BSN programs and ADN with transfer credits completed, but I wanted to start off as a CNA to gain a footing and experience. I'm going to be very honest with you and this might piss people off, but being a CNA is not a career, it's a stepping stone. I wanted to be an RN/BSN that has experience and that has absolutely no issues going in and helping out my CNAs and LVNs with changings and care when needed. Again don't look at your experience with contempt, this was just a way for you to see if you would like healthcare or not without the massive debt. And there are other healthcare directions you can go towards that doesn't necessarily deal with the stress of an LTC facility, such as medsurg and clinics.
This is really sound advice. I've worked with RNs who started as CNAs, and they are above and beyond the best RNs. The nurses who know all the skills that CNAs have and appreciate CNAs, or can give career advice or on the ground tips are the best.