3 answers
takira
Student
Williamsburg, Virginia
3
Questions
Asked
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What are your strengths/ Weaknesses and how will they help as a CNA?
#CNA
#nursing
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3 answers
Judy Harrison
Registered Nurse
5
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Judy’s Answer
Hi Takira!
My name is Judy and I’ve been a nurse for 20 years. Are you thinking about being a CNA? Are you also thinking about going on to become a registered nurse? I think there is a need for CNAs who actually care about taking good care of their patients. I wish I had been a CRNA before I became a nurse because I would have known what type of nurse I wanted to be. I had no idea what kind of nurse I wanted to be when I first started out. I had no experience in healthcare. I just graduated, went through a Human Resources department at the nearest hospital and just applied for any job…I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But, I am so glad I am a nurse because I feel nurses have more job opportunities.
Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. I could not do my job without good CRNAs.
I’m happy to answer questions
My name is Judy and I’ve been a nurse for 20 years. Are you thinking about being a CNA? Are you also thinking about going on to become a registered nurse? I think there is a need for CNAs who actually care about taking good care of their patients. I wish I had been a CRNA before I became a nurse because I would have known what type of nurse I wanted to be. I had no idea what kind of nurse I wanted to be when I first started out. I had no experience in healthcare. I just graduated, went through a Human Resources department at the nearest hospital and just applied for any job…I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But, I am so glad I am a nurse because I feel nurses have more job opportunities.
Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. I could not do my job without good CRNAs.
Judy recommends the following next steps:
Mary Forbes
Have worked in many fields of medicine
3
Answers
Annapolis, Maryland
Updated
Mary’s Answer
Hello Takira,
I think that any education is good. I see CNA as a stepping stone to more. You will learn so much. First you will be a novice, then an expert. You will see that you learn from the nurses and other providers. You may find yourself saying "I can do that".
I first worked as a clerk in the emergency room. I worked until I made enough money for nursing school. After I had my RN degree and worked for 10 years in emergency medicine I went back to school to become a nurse practitioner.
It is good to aim high. Failure and disappointment is just part of the journey. It means that we are not settling or not trying hard. I would have liked to have gone to medical school and been a doctor, but that was not within my finances at the time and I did not know any women doctors and did not know what a nurse practitioner was.
I wish you all the best in anything that you try to do. I don't think you can go wrong with new skills and knowledge.
Mary Forbes, CRNP
I think that any education is good. I see CNA as a stepping stone to more. You will learn so much. First you will be a novice, then an expert. You will see that you learn from the nurses and other providers. You may find yourself saying "I can do that".
I first worked as a clerk in the emergency room. I worked until I made enough money for nursing school. After I had my RN degree and worked for 10 years in emergency medicine I went back to school to become a nurse practitioner.
It is good to aim high. Failure and disappointment is just part of the journey. It means that we are not settling or not trying hard. I would have liked to have gone to medical school and been a doctor, but that was not within my finances at the time and I did not know any women doctors and did not know what a nurse practitioner was.
I wish you all the best in anything that you try to do. I don't think you can go wrong with new skills and knowledge.
Mary Forbes, CRNP
Kentoya Kelly-Savage
Registered Nurse
4
Answers
Greensboro, North Carolina
Updated
Kentoya’s Answer
Hello Takira,
I was a CNA for 26 years before becoming a Registered nurse. My strengths as a CNA are my work ethics. I strive to anticipate and provide the best care possible to my patients. I continue to use this strength as a Registered nurse. My weakness is I tend to provide sole care to my patients which in turn can burn myself out. This entails my work ethics, yet does not acknowledge there is s team to provide care for the patients.
Therefore, both my strength and weakness have allowed me to be successful as a CNA. However, it was important to find balance with providing the best care while accepting support from other staff to ensure the patient received the best care possible. My mindset believed I was the only one to provide great care due to working shift as the only CNA while the nurse had paperwork to complete and medications to administer. I was convinced I was keeping the nurse from completing their work if they were helping me. It was when I became a CNA on a Hospice unit at the hospital and there was two CNAs on staff during the day. I learned to share the responsibility and collaborate with the other CNA to reposition patients and provide personal care.
Later I transferred to the night shift position, where I was the only CNA and my nurse was the only nurse. Again, I had the opportunity to collaborate care with the nurse and we both were able to fulfill our expectations for our shift and support each other while providing exceptional care for the patients.
So, my work ethics allowed me the ability to recognize it was important for me to support my coworkers so we all could ensure the patients were receiving the best care.
CNA minimum of 2 years of full-time providing care for patients needing maximum support.
Enroll in school and complete all pre-requisites for the nursing program while working as a CNA PRN.
Create a manageable work and study plan
Be aware and utilize your best study habits in a study group or solo
Utilize your work ethics while in nursing school during clinicals
I was a CNA for 26 years before becoming a Registered nurse. My strengths as a CNA are my work ethics. I strive to anticipate and provide the best care possible to my patients. I continue to use this strength as a Registered nurse. My weakness is I tend to provide sole care to my patients which in turn can burn myself out. This entails my work ethics, yet does not acknowledge there is s team to provide care for the patients.
Therefore, both my strength and weakness have allowed me to be successful as a CNA. However, it was important to find balance with providing the best care while accepting support from other staff to ensure the patient received the best care possible. My mindset believed I was the only one to provide great care due to working shift as the only CNA while the nurse had paperwork to complete and medications to administer. I was convinced I was keeping the nurse from completing their work if they were helping me. It was when I became a CNA on a Hospice unit at the hospital and there was two CNAs on staff during the day. I learned to share the responsibility and collaborate with the other CNA to reposition patients and provide personal care.
Later I transferred to the night shift position, where I was the only CNA and my nurse was the only nurse. Again, I had the opportunity to collaborate care with the nurse and we both were able to fulfill our expectations for our shift and support each other while providing exceptional care for the patients.
So, my work ethics allowed me the ability to recognize it was important for me to support my coworkers so we all could ensure the patients were receiving the best care.
Kentoya recommends the following next steps: