4 answers
Shannon
Student
Mount Olive, MS
1
Question
Asked
564 views
What are three important things I should know about being a CNA?
I want to know more about the challenges of being a CNA , and what is the typical work schedule.
Login to comment
4 answers
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
222
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Shannon,
1. Being a CNA is hard work but rewarding because you get to help people in a tangible way.
2. A typical work schedule is tricky to answer because your work schedule will depend on what kinds of scheduling is available at your workplace. I've had 8-hour, 10-hour, and 12-hour work days, and the kinds of workplaces that hire CNAs are typically open 24 hours, 7 days a week, so that means you might have different shifts to choose from, depending on the needs of the workplace and your availability and preference.
3. Work experience as a CNA can be valuable for your future studies and careers, because you get to work with all types of health care and other support professionals and it could help build a solid foundation for understanding certain aspects of the health care system. Plus, it could help strengthen your application to undergraduate or graduate programs. For example, one of the work experiences that I used for my PA school application was my years of experience as a CNA, and several years later, I'm now practicing as a family medicine PA.
I hope this was helpful. Good luck!
Hwal
1. Being a CNA is hard work but rewarding because you get to help people in a tangible way.
2. A typical work schedule is tricky to answer because your work schedule will depend on what kinds of scheduling is available at your workplace. I've had 8-hour, 10-hour, and 12-hour work days, and the kinds of workplaces that hire CNAs are typically open 24 hours, 7 days a week, so that means you might have different shifts to choose from, depending on the needs of the workplace and your availability and preference.
3. Work experience as a CNA can be valuable for your future studies and careers, because you get to work with all types of health care and other support professionals and it could help build a solid foundation for understanding certain aspects of the health care system. Plus, it could help strengthen your application to undergraduate or graduate programs. For example, one of the work experiences that I used for my PA school application was my years of experience as a CNA, and several years later, I'm now practicing as a family medicine PA.
I hope this was helpful. Good luck!
Hwal
Susan Brunner
Physician
9
Answers
Birmingham
Updated
Susan’s Answer
My apologies. We use different abbreviations at my hospital. If CNA means nursing assistant then you get to genuinely care for patients taking vital sign and assisting with baths and turning. It’s helpful if you know where supplies are stored in case it’s required for an emergency.
Protecting the airway is related to a CRNA . Their job is to our breathing tubes in patients.
Protecting the airway is related to a CRNA . Their job is to our breathing tubes in patients.
Susan Brunner
Physician
9
Answers
Birmingham
Updated
Susan’s Answer
Usually 8 or 12 hour shifts.
Need to be calm under pressure because airway is way important and it’s your job to protect it. But it’s mostly boring.
Need to be calm under pressure because airway is way important and it’s your job to protect it. But it’s mostly boring.
Hi Susan, can you edit your answer & expand it a little bit? I’m a little confused what you mean about protecting the airway
Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
Sikawayi Williams
Counselor
227
Answers
Hampton, Virginia
Updated
Sikawayi’s Answer
My understanding is that most CNA work 10/12 hours per shift or as needed. Again, some of the things that I have seen be unpleasant is CNA deal with a lot of older people and most Gentlemen and Ladies in their golden years don't like for people half their age to yell at them telling them to hurry up. This same group of people who doesn't like to be helped with their bath.