To open this up, I would like to say that an LNA is a licensed nurses assistant (LNA). In states other than NH, it is often called a CNA or, certified nurses assistant. Just incase there was any confusion.



So, this weekend the plan was to start the LNA training course. I knew what being an LNA meant. I knew that I was going to be working, most likely, in a long-term care facility. I knew that I would get getting the grunt work. I knew that I would be responsible for the personal care of the patients.

The thing that I'm now questioning is whether or not I want to subject myself to those conditions. I've done a lot of research. I've been to many websites (such as allnurses.com) and I've read up on people's doubts, their hates, and their love for their job. I read of the large amount of disrespect that LNAs receive from the rest of the staff in LTC/Hospital settings. I don't know if I can handle that. I don't know if I can do long shifts of grunt work only to find that I'm not being respected for doing it.

I thought that maybe doing this would let me know whether or not I wanted to get into nursing, but the reality of it is that being an LNA and a nurse aren't related. LNAs do the things that nurses don't want to do. Maybe, what I need to do is just take a break from trying to figure everything out right now.

Someday, I'm sure it will all come to me. Someday, I'll find the career that I'm destined to do.

I just don't know if I should go through with the LNA training as planned. Or, when the times comes that I feel ready, I should go take an LPN course instead. I'm conflicted and I don't want to take a course to be an LNA, make the same, if not less, money that I am making now and wind up being disrespected and disliking my job.

Any advice?

Hi

Talk to some LPN's and some RN's and I think they will all tell you to go with the LPN courses rathur than being a CNA

It is a good occupation
That is what my daughter does her in Mi
granted nursing homes are the main stay for a CNA but they do also use them in hospitals

it is not that diffucult to get the licence

then get into the right faciluty and they will pay to further your education and become a nurse

CNA work is something I did years ago, long before you had to be certified. I worked in both a nursing home and hospitals. It's a very rewarding job, although sometimes long hours are required...but the reward comes from personal satisfaction knowing that you have given your all in the care of the residents/patients. I truely loved it. I am also trying to get back into taking the course again so I can get certified. I presently work in a nursing home now, in the dietary dept. and I just love working with the residents.

I have never worked in a nursing home, but in the hospital we get along with the CNAs. I will help them change linens or whatever if I am not busy myself. It is not just because they do not "want" to do the work that the nurses pass it on, however also that they have a lot of other responsibilities most of which is paperwork, admission history and physicals, procedures, etc. Maybe you should not limit yourself to the long term facilities and apply at a hospital...better unit is maternity care or labor and delivery. our patients are not old and can pretty much do for themselves. there is always somewhereyou can fit in.

I love being a CNA... It is alot of work but I found were I was comfortable doing my job it was in assistant living. You just get a real good feeling once you are doing the best you can for the residents ... you go home probably tired and hating your job.. but really they love you and love you working your job, they count on people like you everyday too see the kind of help it takes for them :)

I was a CNA/LNA for almost 10 years before becoming a RN and Medical Coder, and all I can say is that in that profession you either love it or hate it. Long term care is hard work it's very physical and emotional..I have worked with horrible LPN's with a above it all attitude, to really helpful ones. It just depends on where you work...Also there are different places to work, I worked in Nursing Homes, Brain injury facility, and even pediatrics (long Term) If one doesn't suit you another will. If you are not strong ie, emotional, physical, and have no empathy then maybe it's not the job for you..

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was just going by what I read elsewhere, so I suppose it won't hurt me to try it out and, if I don't like it, then at least I know from experience.

I start the classes this Saturday morning. I'm taking weekend classes and will be done by December 2nd. I guess the only way to know is to try.

Thanks again everyone.

Good Luck with classes. I was a CNA and a LPN and loved both jobs. I quit only to go back into my happy place called the kitchen as a chef. Been in restaurant business for 23 years and soon will be out of it and continuing in new career.

Go for it and remember in order to be respected,one must first respect

I love being a CNA at a nursing home and don't aspire be anything but a CNA. Its a great ego killer and really helped me to find out what I am made of. It has helped me in so many ways in learning how to deal with many difficult problems in life that I have had. As far a monetary, beneficial or prestigious in a real world enviroment where one might think in terms getting ahead or up the corporate ladder - not bloody likely. I would have to say that I really love being a grunt and to serve others really serves me. Yesterday, when I went in to get a free calendar and ink pen at the funeral home the mortician was there who hauled off the corpses of my departed wife and departed girl friend. The mortician asked me if I worked at the same job and I said no I work at the nursing right across from his funeral parlor. He asked how my mother was doing and I told him that working at the nursing has helped me so spiritually to deal with those my loved ones departure. Helping others helps me. When I was first a care giver back in 1981 it just to have a job during my lay off and they told me then I could be a CNA but when my good union called me back I left the profession. When I first got the job at this nursing home I showed the Director of Nursing all the certifications; diplomas; awards and degrees I had in computing. She told me anybody could do the job as it doesn't take much mental ability but the hard thing to find is people who actually care about the residents. I have found that to be so true as I have seen them come and go for so many different reasons. To me it is like the old ad that the peace corps ran along time ago with the glass half full where the commercial asks you if you see the glass half full or half empty and they said if you saw the glass half empty they didn't need you but if you saw the glass half full then sign up for it is the hardest job that you will ever love. It is kind of like the Marine Corps slogan of looking for a few good men to me.

Thanks again for the responses.

Kojack--Did you find a program that was for CNA's aspiring to be LPNs? I did a search and I'm having difficulties finding such courses. When I did a job search a while back, I saw a company that offered that, but who knows if I will end up there.

Hill--Thank you for your story. I'm glad that so many people enjoy being a CNA because, from what I've read, many people dislike it immensely. I know that it's kind of a bottom of the totem pole type job, but I don't plan to stick with it forever. I'm thinking that once done training, I may do it part-time so that I can work my current job as well.

Thanks again! :)

No I took CNA course through a Community College I did so well they recommended me for LPN course.

You're welcome Pip. Just remember it can be lonely at the top but that there is always plenty of room at the bottom. If you ever want to find what is below the totem pole then try working third shift. I wish you the best in whatever you choose.

I was a CNA for years...the reason why I became a CNA was because my father suffered from a head injury and the nurses were total bytches. I thought, what this place needs is caring people...well, I am a very caring person and I thought..this is my calling!!
I worked in the nursing home and then got put on the Alzheimer Unit...this is a great unit to work on. The only problem with working in a long term facility is that you have to face death a lot. I am very soft-hearted and it is very hard for me to lose a patient.
My favorite nurse that I worked with suggested that I go to school and become a nurse myself. So thats what I decided to do. I love working with the elderly so I thought I would go to school and continue working as a nurse in the nursing home. Then I became ill...but I am almost finished with my schooling and one day I will finish.
It is a very rewarding job!! I treat every person like they are my grandparent. They get respect from me and most importantly, they get treated with love. I never once left my job feeling like I did a poor job...I left knowing that I helped everyone that was my patient!! It truly makes you feel wonderful on the inside.

That is so true, Unsure. One of the aides' daughter came in and said while walking through the different rooms with her mother, "Look, momma. There are grandmas in every room." The little kid just loved seeing all the old women." Out of the mouths of babes. It is so true.

I got to see something really cool last Halloween. All the old people were in their gerichairs and wheelchairs by the door. The old ladies and men were giving out candy to the kids coming in. I don't who enjoyed it more the old folks or the kids.

Aw. See that's what I'm looking forward to. I love helping people and making people happy. Nothing is better than the look of happiness.

At our nursing home in town, they pass out candy for Halloween. The patients have such a good time!!
Honestly pipahx, if you love elderly people and you want to help someone...this is the job for you!! This was the best and the most rewarding job I have ever had. I will admit, when you have to change the people..its tough to get use to ...BUT, if you think about "what if this was my grandmother" its very easy to do it!! Put a mint in your mouth and that takes away the smell
Trust me, in no time you will be going in on your days off to check on your favorite patients

In Ohio they're called STNA's (state tested) I've NEVER done it, and I don't think I'm cut out for it.

I just graduated nursing school (LPN) and from what I saw on my clinical rotations in LTC and hospitals nurses do delegate a lot of tasks to the STNA. It's not really what they don't want to do, it's what we don't have time to do. Nurses' are really responsible for the patient's care and a good nurse would be a team player and respect her staff so that they have a good morale and are willing to do their best.

But yeah, STNA's mostly do patient care, bathing, dressing, feeding, cleaning....etc. But nurses are supposed to do that too. Good luck.

I have seen that happen because of being short staffed, mzmarlycia, where I work at on more than one occasion. Sometimes the paperwork get to the LPNs where I work. I have to be careful with my sarcastic remarks or they been known to go off on me. One of the nurses told she just wanted to sit in the floor because of all drama and politics that can on due to state visits. That is why I won't work dayshift. She even asked me one day if I wanted her job. I said heck no. They couldn't pay me enough to do your job. Good thing we have our own support group at work. Someday it is like multiple venting so that we don't all kill each other the stress and the expectations of the higher ups are so demanding. You have probably seen that sign on some job sites. "You want it when?" It can get to be really intimate work. In many cases you have no option but to be honest I have found.