Are you sure that registered nursing is the right career? If you're having second thoughts about going into nursing school, then perhaps you'd be better off starting with a Certified Nursing Assistant position. Read all about what this nursing-related job entails here.
For those who are looking into nursing school but aren't sure whether a job in health care is right for them,
a job as a Certified Nurse's Assistant may be a good first step. Becoming a CNA only requires a few weeks' training which doesn't cost much, and once you get started on the job, you will get a first-hand look at just what registered nurses deal with on a day-to-day basis.
You can learn the basic skills needed to become a Certified Nurse's Assistant from specialized programs. The cost for these CNA courses range from $250 to $500 and are available in many states around the country .
Once the student completes the course, he then undergoes criminal background check and then proceeds to take an exam at a testing center. The CNA school can either administer the test itself or provide the student with the necessary details on how and where he can take the test. The test will review basic skills in assisting patients to care for themselves, feed themselves and stay clean. There is also a written section with a few dozen questions on it.
Working under the supervision of a registered nurse, CNAs are primarily responsible for caring for patients who are elderly, paralyzed, mentally handicapped, or who may have other disabilities that make them unable to care for themselves. CNAs also do a lot of grunt work including emptying bedpans, cleaning and bathing patients, getting them dressed and into their wheelchairs, even feeding them if needed.
CNA jobs are easy to come by although they don't necessarily pay well, ranging from $7 to $15, depending on your state and length of service. There are numerous places that need CNAs: hospitals, schools, clinics, nursing homes, hospices, prisons, agencies that provide home health care.
While being an RN and not a CNA is your dream job, the fact is, many registered nurses have started out as CNAs. Holding a CNA job allowed them to earn some money while studying to become a nurse. In addition, those who worked as CNAs prior to becoming RNs were able to connect with people in the health care field who could give them good references.
One big advantage of being a CNA first before continuing to become a registered nurse is that you can witness first hand what it is that RNs actually do. A nursing career is not for everyone and it's better to be sure about this first before making the final decision. A nurse would have to exhibit the utmost patience and compassion, and certainly the job is not for the weak of stomach.
Those who want to experience working in the health care field before signing up for a nursing career will find a CNA job as an ideal first step. In fact, being a nursing assistant and caring for patients without the added responsibilities of being an RN has become such a good decision for some that they decide not to pursue further studies after all.
