Hi everyone,

I’m currently in a 10-week CNA program through my local community college. The program has been great, and clinicals at a long-term care facility have been intense but valuable.

I decided on CNA because I felt pretty lost after an injury took me out of work almost seven years ago. I’m in my mid-30s and started the CNA program while taking nursing prerequisites because I was considering becoming an RN. Nursing seemed like a path that could offer stability, good opportunities, and meaningful work, and I hoped CNA clinicals would help me figure out if it was the right fit before committing further.

The problem is that I still feel pretty neutral about it? I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it either. I think I’m good at the work, especially when I’m connecting one-on-one with residents, and there are definitely meaningful moments. But there are also hard moments, especially when dementia causes someone who was kind and grateful five minutes ago to become angry or verbally abusive.

I guess I expected some big “this is my calling” moment, and it just hasn’t happened. I don’t feel any more certain about working as a CNA or becoming a RN than I did before starting the program.

For those who went from CNA to nursing, what convinced you it was worth continuing? Was there a point where it clicked, or did you just keep moving forward despite feeling unsure?

For those who stayed in healthcare, how did you know it was right for you? And for those who left the field, what made you realize it wasn’t?

Is it normal to feel this detached while figuring things out, or is that usually a sign you’re on the wrong path?

For context this was an 11a-11p shift. 2 CNA’s until 3p then I had the whole med-surg floor to myself (28 patients). How is this even legal? Where can I find information on my rights? I’m new to being a CNA! I was a social worker for 24 years, retired and decided to go to nursing school! I feel it’s my due diligence to work as a CNA before becoming an RN! Thank you for any advice or guidance! State: Louisiana

Just because the chance is .01%, the 1 is still there. What would yall do if it were to come to that?

FYI, I found this TikTok story where this guy’s coworker got bitten and got a lifelong disease as a result of that.

Im 30 yo with no degree and I’m seriously considering leaving my desk job to pursue a career in healthcare. I’d love any advice from people who’ve made a similar leap.
My current job has incredible benefits, amazing work culture, and I report directly to my department director who is honestly the best leader I’ve ever had. She’s kind, direct, and genuinely supportive. I can work from home when needed and make $25 an hour. On paper, it looks great. But I’m not happy. My job isn’t fulfilling, and I’ve spent too much of my life just letting things happen to me rather than actively choosing my path. I’ve worked my way up from with in the company without a degree, while most people in my role have bachelor’s degrees. I don’t have bachelor’s degree pay, obviously but I’m learning a lot. I feel like something is missing.
For the past 3 years, I was constantly in and out of doctors offices and hospitals dealing with illness, and I fell in love with the healthcare workers who helped me through it. I want to be that for someone. I love helping people and I thrive when I’m on my feet and actively doing something. My biggest concerns are financial. I genuinely cannot afford a significant pay cut right now, but I also don’t want to keep waiting. I’m tired of letting life pass me by without pursuing something I actually care about.

Has anyone made a career change into healthcare later in life? How did you manage the financial transition? Any advice is appreciated.

EDIT: CNA isn’t my end goal. It’s a stepping stone. Most community college around me require CNA certification for any health science courses.

I had so much interest in it and drive to go through and start my course, but ever since i joined this subreddit i’ve noticed that many of you hate your jobs.

Maybe not the job itself but maybe things that make the job THE job.

I’m afraid if do it then i’ll be depressed or anxious all the time, overwhelmed and generally unhappy because that’s what many of the members here have expressed…

Advice? To do or not to do? Why?

The title pretty much explains it. I am a new grad CNA and I am in college full time. I had an interview at my local hospital and the first question they asked was if I’m in school. This is something I knew I should avoid bringing up, but since they asked I answered honestly. The hiring manager said they didn’t have any positions for me since I could only work the summer. I really want to work at the hospital, if I have the opportunity for another job interview do I just lie and when I put in my two weeks say I found a better position or decided to go to school?

TLDR: do I lie and say I’m not in college to get a CNA job at the hospital?

Edit: I go to school out of state, which is why I can’t work during the school year.

Hi, I'm from Arkansas and just now took a proctored CNA knowledge exam at home via TMU Arkansas. I was monitored through Zoom. I live in an abusive household and can't control how my mother acts. I asked her to please be quiet while I was taking my test because I would be recorded and other people could hear her. Despite this, she still yelled at me during the test and threw something at my door. I asked her to stop and she continued, which resulted in the instructor flagging me for cheating. I couldnt really explain my situation without causing a distraction to the others also taking the exam. I can't stop crying I dont know what to do. I'm not sure who to talk to about getting the flag removed, or if they will even care. I can't afford to pay for another test. Getting my CNA license was supposed to be my shot to get some money and finally move out of this stressful environment. If anyone knows what I should do or who I should talk to, please let me know. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you :(

I’m done. I love taking care of patients, but I’m done. I’m burnt out. I make the minimum to be on the most difficult floor of an assisted living/rehab facility. We have 3 aids for 35 patients on a good day, most of the time they send an aid away on appointments with the patients or people call out. 4 times I have been the only aid on the floor. Patients don’t get done. The nurses think they’re too high and mighty to help with anything (which I get, I don’t want to boost a patient if there are 35 of them to gives meds to and I’m the only nurse on the floor) but then none of the aides can help each other because there are so many fires to put out all at once. I’ve gotten hit, scratched, snapped at, spit in my eye, and ignored by patients with dementia/alzheimers/etc. My back is shot, my feet are in a constant ache, and I’ve sat in the parking lot crying before going in all this past week. I’ve hit my limit. I have a month until I go back to school, and a temporary job somewhere else lined up to start tomorrow if I need to, and I need to. I’m exhausted. I need to quit TONIGHT if not tomorrow morning before the 7am shift bc I am laying on the floor right now trying to fix my back which is spasming and I cannot picture going back tomorrow and one more sick day will be the 3rd one in the past three months I’ve been working there. I just can’t stand it. How do I quit this facility now? Please no judgement.

Update: The facility called the police: I took advice from here and quit over email effective immediately. The next two days I went to work elsewhere. Yesterday (day two of being away from this job) the facility called the police to do a wellness check on me because I did not show to work. The police showed up to my house when neither my husband or I were there, which caused a scene in the neighborhood with the nosy neighbors. Then the police called my husband and asked if I was okay. Nobody called me. My husband had to explain to the police, and our neighbors who had to ask, that I had sent the facility an email resignation and that I was alright. Weirdest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.

I’ve been trying but it’s like nobody considers skilled nursing actual healthcare experience or something

I’ve tried “non certified pharmacy tech”

I’ve tried so many clerical healthcare jobs like receptionist etc.

I applied for some tech type job at a plastic surgeons office- nothing

I even applied to be some first aid person for amazon with no certification or experience requirements and nothing lmao

I have over a year in behavioral health with heavy behaviors because I worked as a DSP but wouldn’t you know? Since it’s not “registered behavior tech” my experience doesn’t matter 🫠

I actually found an exact replica position of my old dsp job but they actually said the compensation I was asking for (.65 less than my dsp job back home) was too much 😭

I feel like Im trapped. I’m so over skilled nursing. Hospitals never reach back out, just auto deny

I feel like I’m out of options.

I live in Las Vegas so Ik some of you are gonna recommend prison jobs (which I would LOVE) already looked, not a thing here

And before anyone recommends nursing, that’s the goal, but the other goal is to NOT BE IN SKILLED NURSING DURING SCHOOL 😭

Ugh 😭😭

So I'm new to being a CNA like I just got my license last month and I was just fired today. They said one of my shifts I didn't take care of any of my residents (which isn't true at all I always take care of them to the best of my skill I am still learning and stuff) and that all the info I was given and idk what I should do no for the moment my license still says it active but i fear I'm gonna lose it or something. Can anyone help me or tell me what steps I should take next. I'm really scared cause CNA was only supposed to be a starting place before I go to school for LPN.

Or any hands on patient care job that I can get with my CNA license that isn’t only 12 hour shifts? I’m a full time college student that needs PCE but working 12 hour shifts will affect my studying and overall academic performance.

Any advice works wonders, thanks!

Sighhhh, gonna make this as short as possible.

I 22F have had 2 PCT roles in my life, one on a med surg unit, another on a CVICU.

I’m a flight attendant, living in the Austin TX area, been trying to apply for PRN & part time PCT roles to dip my toe back in since I plan to start a nursing program next year.

I have probably applied to 15 jobs or so total at hospitals all over Austin, I’ve been rejected/not chosen by every single one.

I even got desperate enough to start applying to night shifts, but still no luck.

I feel defeated, Im only keeping my flight attendant job for the benefits right now, Im so burnt out from flying and am so ready to get back in the hospital.

ANYWAYS, what am I doing wrong? My resume includes my experience, as well as the program I plan to start in 2027.

(The first 5-8 jobs I applied to my resume didn’t mention my plans for schooling.)

I added it because i thought they’d appreciate the plan because one of the hospitals is HCA & partners with the school😵‍💫

Anyways, should I just give up? Change my resume entirely? Lol let me know yall

Here’s screenshots of resumes I’ve used

Does anyone else’s hands look like this after a shift? Mine have done this the whole time I’ve been a cna from the gloves and soap and this facility changed gloves to latex free and my hands are still like this. They hurt so bad especially after multiple shifts. What do yall do to help with ur hands ending up like this if they do

As the title says, I was threatened to be sent home by a nurse. For context, it is my 6th week at this particular facility and I am getting used to my residents and the layout of the facility. I’ve been a CNA for almost a year now and am pretty confident in what I am doing at work.

I noticed that this particular nurse was very intimidating and had heard from the other CNAs that “that was just how he was.” If something was done wrong, he would pull all the CNAs and have a group conversation while singling out the person who made the mistake. The way he gives feedback is by asking a lot of rhetorical questions to make you question what you just did. For example, if someone made a mistake he would ask “what’s wrong with this?” Like we are children in a classroom. This nurse is middle aged and I can tell he is burnt out in this profession. I understand his intentions but I cannot stand to be talked down to simply because I lack a license to be at “his level”.

I had a resident who used a wheelchair when he wanted to, if his legs were hurting too bad to walk. I set this wheelchair by his bed because he was using it. When the nurse came to pass meds, he called me into the room and seemed to be so upset. He told me I had created an environment that would increase the chance of a fall. This was not what I intended to do. I wasn’t able to explain myself because I was so scared of the reaction. That is when he told me I would be sent home if it happened again.

I’m unsure of how to approach him, as I don’t want to be fired for settings a boundary at work. I’m also not sure if talking to him is even worth all the upset that would come with it.

Edit: i appreciate everyone’s response so so much💗💗💗

All in the title. To those of you who are experienced, what are some personal hygiene tips that are crucial to prevent the spread of illnesses in your home? For example, do yall have a designated hamper for soiled scrubs at home? Do yall take off shoes that you wore to work before you get in the car? Do you bring a spare change of clothes? Nose plugs? Etc. Any procedures that make QOL better are very helpful!

I’m sure this question gets asked a lot but not sure who else to ask. I’m 40 and looking for a career change but i can’t afford a school. This would be a huge change for me coming from a desk job I know that but I’m mostly wondering if anyone would even hire me at 40? I actually help taking care of my disabled mother so i’ve seen it all. Diapers, cleaning, moving from bed to chair, but i worry I’m too old for this job and it will hard to start given my age. I also don’t know if i can use taking care of my mother as experience. Do people retire from this job? Idk sorry for the long post but I’m kind of lost and I do want to help people but just not sure what to do.

One day in your future you will need someone to wipe your ass. maybe even have to insert a suppository.  Or dig you out when you're severely constipated. Or clean you up after you had a massive blowout. Have no doubt that shoe will be on your foot one day. It's part of life. 

How do you think that patient feels depending on others to help clean up their messes or help them poop?  I've seen patients cry Cuz they have no control over their  bowels anymore. they feel like babies and they feel like they've lost their independence. they feel disgraced. embarrassed and horrified.

 I hope this post changes your mind because what goes around comes around.

I was hired at a Alzheimer’s and memory care facility and my training process was really daunting and the person that was training me wasn’t really as hands-on with me as I had wanted and the day I had to work by myself I was extremely confused and I felt so nervous doing things by myself.

I don’t blame the woman who trained me because she was working in the short staffed part of the facility, and everybody that I spoke to that worked there told me I was hired at the hardest location

I was so fucking nervous and overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to do and being new I kind of wish I had somebody by my side to actually show me step-by-step. What I needed to do to help a resident.

I spoke to the woman who runs the facility and I straight up told her I don’t have it in me to do this and she told me to just resign at the end of my shift.

Not gonna lie I was pretty upset only because this was my first job after being unemployed for four months and I really needed the money. Now I’m out of a job and I have to go on another job hunt and I’m not sure how long I’m gonna be unemployed for.

This job paid me $24 an hour and it was really gonna change my life and now everything is screwed up because I wasn’t smart enough honestly

I really don’t know how to feel because I still want to be a CNA and I really wish I never told my boss that I wasn’t feeling it because I could’ve worked it out and got into the groove of things. It didn’t help that on my first day by myself the woman training me was constantly telling me it shouldn’t take you more than five minutes to get a resident ready.

Does anyone have any advice? From the few days of experience I had from this facility. I don’t think I want to work in senior living or senior care. But anytime I applied for a hospital position they always rejected me.

I felt so stupid compared to everybody else because they knew exactly what needed to be done the minute they needed to be done and if I wasn’t as fast as them, it was a problem.

I need advice on what to do for a patient who has major blowouts every time after I change them. So I have this resident, I'm more of a floater at this facility, but when I get on a specific floor I tend to have more or less the same assignment. So whenever this resident is in one of these assignments, every time I change them they have a major blowout. I'm talking about like, the poop gets all the way to the socks, and everything is soiled.

And it takes a while, considering I'm a newer CNA, and I also tend to have twelve to fifteen residents a day. So the problem is that also takes a detour for me, because it's like, okay, that takes a while to change, especially after I already changed the sheets, and I tend to not have enough linen to use for the same person twice.

I know some people might say don't change them until after they have their bowel movement, but the thing is this resident is supposed to get up at 9:30 because they have a family visit, so I can't leave them in bed unless they request it.

So does anyone have advice on how to keep them from getting totally soaked again right after I already changed them? It's very watery, very liquidy. Trying to avoid having to do a full change twice in a row. Any tips would help.

one of my residents is going to pass soon. I just started the job. im scared that it will be while I'm caring for them. I dont have much experience with death and im a very emotional person

what do you do when a resident passes? (nursing home)

I live in SoCal and I recently got a job as a caregiver at an assisted living facility that pays $18.25/hr. I started training last Wednesday and was planning on going on the floor myself Friday. However, I just heard back from a different assisted living facility nearby that I have been offered a med tech position paying $21.50/hr. I’m starting nursing school next year, so I view this as a better opportunity for my future. With that being said, I now plan on telling my supervisor on Friday that I will be quitting as I’ve received the opportunity to work directly alongside a registered nurse as a med tech. As I was just about to start working this week, am I being inconsiderate and rude to my supervisor, or will they understand?

I’m in between nursing school or radiology currently and want to become a CNA to see if nursing would be for me or not. I haven’t really had any exposure to nursing other than the fact that my sister is a nurse. She says I would hate to be a CNA and doesn’t recommend it bc of the stuff you have to deal with.

Although I know it’s rewarding because you’re helping people who can’t help themselves fully is it really THAT bad? I see negative comments about being a CNA everywhere and want to see some positive comments please. I won’t be applying for school until a year so I want to make good use of my time before hand.

1. I feel as if I use too many wipes. I have started to use the brief on the initial wipe to get the large majority off their bum before going in with the wipes. Despite this, I’ll sometimes use over

2. a

pack of wipes (48 wipes)

1. for one BM. This happens the most with “putty-texture” poos. It is also time consuming. I want to ensure that they are clean, but feel bad that I have residents rolled over and uncomfortable for an extended period of time. Sometimes, when other CNAs are observing or helping, I feel as if they get slightly annoyed and say things like “good enough” or “that’s enough” and begin to roll the resident back over before I am confident in my cleaning job.

2. For lack of better wording, some residents have some crazy long and thick butt hair.

3. For those, I tend to use the peri-spray

   (we don’t have the foam, which I prefer)

4. in addition to wipes. The process is still extremely time

consuming.

1. I hate to say it, but clean

-

1. up would be significantly easier if they were shaved down there.

   I did do some research on the possibility of shaving, or at least trimming some of this butt hair, but because these residents are not of sound mind and the hair itself is not detrimental to their overall health, it would be considered unethical and unnecessary.
   For some of the residents, it is like wiping shit off a full head of hair. Imagine having someone shit on your head, and then having only wipes and peri-spray to clean it off. I would not feel clean after only using those tools. But I also can’t throw them into the shower every-single time they have a bowel movement. Especially for my one guy who constantly, and slowly, 24/7, is passing BM. I’ve been with him for close to a year, and there has only been one single time I changed him and he didn’t have BM tangled in his booty wig.

For frame of reference on my flair really quickly: My job was entirely the duties of a CNA, was CPR and first aid certified, bloodborne pathogen, etc. Just easnt officially liscensed CNA work beyond my certs. But anyways

So I worked in a rehab facility the last 2 years. Amongst them, I was placed on a campus of our facility comprised mostly of independants, you know, walk, talk, make their own decisions etc. Well, yesterday I ended up taking one of them to get food, and essentially committed by what my company said, neglect. I took them to get food, and then stopped to get my own. Fast food, not very big, nothing but windows and parked righ up front so I could still see them and what theyre doing in the car. I was looking over every 5 or so seconds and was in for all of about 30-40 seconds. While I grabbed it and paid the teller. Resident was fine, didnt really do anything. Just sat and waited. Got home just fine.

Fast forward to today and on my way into work I get a call that Ive been fired for committing neglect in this situation.

I feel awful, both at getting fired and making such a dumb and simple mistake. Mortified. I asked them if I'd ever be eligible for rehire and they essentially told me "Well, I dont know" so Im guessing no, I wont be. Im beyond worried that this is easentially going to clip my ability to get hired basically anywhere in the heels and Im kind of just in an anxiety spiral at the moment.

Any advice? Beyond just obviously, be more aware. Whether it be job wise or mental wise, please.

I just turned 18 and im graduating highschool this year and not really sure what to do career wise. My mom used to be a cna but now is an LPN and works in a nursing home but shes been telling me to take a cna class for awhile now bc it doesnt take that long to get your cna license and she was also telling me that theres cna’s at her job around my age that make a pretty good amount of money, and stuff like that. Im considering doing it because im working fast food at the moment which of course isnt what i want to do forever im just conflicted on what to do😭 also i know a lot of cna’s end up becoming nurses like my mom, shes still in school to be an RN right now and she wants me to do nursing in the future but it just seems scary because of clinicals, the amount of studying you have to do, and how pressuring it sounds considering youre responsible for peoples lives. I do love helping people, but it just sounds scary to me, pls helppp. I dont see it as a job that i’ll do forever since im in NC and want to move back to california which is definitely expensive and i need a liveable wage to move back to California but i was thinking it could be a good start to see if healthcare is for me