[Danielsa3]

I have been a CNA for 4 years now. I was scared my first time getting a job and doing things on my own. I have only worked in a long term facility, but I am hoping to get a job in a hospital this summer.

What I do all day mainly is transporting patients from wheelchairs to their bed or other chairs, bathing them, feeding them, changing depends and cleaning up whatever needs to be cleaned up. At first it was intimidating, but once you get use to it, its a regular flow.

I found out that I like working 2nd shift better then 1st shift. I dont know if its because 1st shift is a lot more work, because you have 2 meals to do during that time, or what. 2nd shift is a lot more laid back. I also found a lot more people my age working that shift (I'm only 19) and maybe that is why I like it.

So I hope that helps. I really enjoyed my class that I went through and the testing was not that hard either. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it!!

[dh07]

I've been doing it for 5 years now and I hate it. I'm in my last semester of Nursing School, so I'm anticipating the day when I can take the NCLEX and move on. I guess it really just depends on what state you work in. I work in Arizona and the two hospitals that I worked at the load for a CNA was a max of 7 in one hospital and the hospital i work in now it seems that I can get up to 11. I do EKGs, Blood drawls if needed, take out IVs or Foleys. But it just seems that most that I do is do vitals. I also work in float pool which really helps out because if you stay too long on one floor it gets boring or you get caught up in the politics. So i suggest working in the float pool in hospitals so you can work around a variety of staff. The only downside of float pool is that you feel like you are the new guy for awhile because you float around so much that people don't recognize you. It just takes time. I really wish though that when I was starting college that I would have taken the EMT route and worked in a hospital or for an ambulance while I went to nursing school instead of being a CNA. But I became a CNA before I knew I wanted to be a nurse so I guess that's why I just stuck with it. I highly recommend taking an EMT route while in school over being a CNA. I believe you get more respect as an EMT. CNAs don't get any respect at all even though CNAs do ALL the manual labor. In the 5 years that I've been doing this I have never heard of a nurse taking time off because they hurt their back. Well anyways, I'm almost at the promise land, just one more semester.

-David H

[careaid11]

I have been a Care Aid for 12 years now. I had to get out of it for awhile because of the politics. I have worked in Goverment ran facilities and private facilities. Just remember in this career not to get to attached to your residents. On that note it is easier said then done. Always put your best foot forward and remember that you are there to make the quality of life better for the people you work with. They depend on you. If you find yourself getting frustrated, take a deep breathe, if you have the option of working well with someone else, ask them to take over. Alot of these people don't have a choice in their mental state, so pleeeeeaaaaase be patient with them. Alot of these people have given us our right and freedom of their own sacrafice. Take time to listen, be kind and love your job. If you find that you dred going to work get out this field, because the only person that pays for you not liking your job, is your residents. Good Luck in your new found career.