Is anyone here a Certified Nurses Assistant? What are some duties for this job and how much are you paid?

I'm thinking of taking the certification class to become a CNA but i wanted to get some information about the duties of the job, what the pay is, and what kind of hospital you work at. Any information would be great.

I met my current G/F (future wife) seven years ago as a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant) which is nearly the same thing as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). As mentioned above there is a two week course valued at roughly $500-$750. Anybody that made there way through highschool will do fine. People that didn't will still do OK. To her (the G/F) chagrin, I would tell friendly acquaintances I was a professional asswiper.

Get used to dealing with people **** all day long.

I hope you have a good strong back. When you are not elbow deep in feces and urine, you will be dragging people uphill in their adjustable beds. "Yes Mr. Smith, I realize that you are not comfortable. However, you are 350 lbs. in a bed scaled to a regular size person, on a mattress acclaimed for it's anti-microbial properties not it's comfort, and you have that little incision running from your hip to the top of your knee-- you are and have been as high as the laws of gravity and your doctor's orders/prescriptions allow."

Actually, it will be about half the time you will play in their poop and then pull that person up in bed immediately afterward.

When was the last time you saw a 90 year old man or woman naked? Trust me, it isn't pretty.

Drugs and old age make people nuts pretty often. How good are you with people you cannot reason with rationally? (Try irrational reasoning, works wonders.)

You will work with a disproportionate amont of women. Many of those women will not get along with one another. Do your own thing, do not choose sides and you will emerge unscathed so long as you are at least average at completing or doing your duties.

On the upside, if you are single you may not be for long. All the single women that are looking will find out if the new guy is single or not.

If you are a girl, I cannot tell you about the dynamics the other way around. That and watch your back.

There were far fewer gay men despite the stereotype. I expected to see more.

The last thing I am going to say is that it was the most rewarding job I ever worked at. When I worked in the hospital, it was good and I was paid more. But, when I was employed at a nursing home, I was the guy people looked forward to seeing because I was strong and knew the routine they liked. It was like heroin. I couldn't get enough of being a superstar in my own little corner of the world. Every day I made someone's day. The feeling inside is indescribable.

Do not work for an agency, it will break your heart. The money is not worth it. You will spend the small bump in pay in gas going to unfamiliar understaffed facilities where you will be unappreciated by both the regular staff and the residents on an unpredictable inconvenient schedule.

I went through the training in 2001.Where I live at there is usually a 2 week course..book and clinical.You are basically doing all the dirty work for the nurses,Changing dirty linen,washing people,helping them dress,Life people up( which requires a lot of back strenght)take vitals.At all you are NOT allowed to give medication and you always have to answer to the higher authority
It is strenuous work and each place you will apply does vary with wages but it isn't a job for everyone.
I got of out nursing 2 years ago..Trying to deal with lifting took a toll out of me