Reasons You Should Not Become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) 

I'm a CNA now and its hard work. I think everyone should become a CNA and experience what is like before becoming an RN.

I’m a certified nursing assistant in New York. The pay where I’m located is great. However, the environment can be toxic at times and the work load is heavy. You truly have to be passionate about it and on the bright side it’s good experience. If you are struggling, don’t let a bad CNA experience discourage you from pursuing a nursing degree. You can do this!

I agree! The pay is low, however the gratitude of helping someone is so fulfilling. Priceless! It takes a caring heart, patience, empathy, and love. Caring for people without putting wage's on their sick bodies. Thank God for the GNA, CNA, Tech, that truly care.

I was trying to become a cna because it was required for apply to the nursing program. I was going to a rough situation, it was bad. Failed the program. I dropped off after I was mentally better. Now I'm doing the Medical assistant program and now I feel more confident on my self. Love your videos.

but without CNAs who would be taking care of these residents ?!! we need and love cnas

I agree! CNAs deserve so much more respect than some people give them ... and I hate when people say “just a CNA” it drives me nuts lol

I've I've a CNA for 11 1/2 years. I make $18/hr with a nocturnal differential. Totals a little over $20/hr. Yes we work hard, yes we are on our feet, yes we mostly get paid lower than we deserve, but if all CNAs were gonna go on and be nurses, there would be no CNAs. On top of that, not all of us CNAs are smart enough to go through nursing school. And a lot of the time if you have to work while going through nursing school, you're gonna have a lot harder of a time. So maybe instead of these being problems, jobs should appreciate them more and pay more

I like the fact that you mention how CNAs have high expectations and are accountable for really important things too

Wanna hear a funny story? I used to work in a nursing home on 2nd shift. Well, one night I was getting a dementia patient ready for bed. I move back her bed sheets, get her pajamas out of her dresser drawer, and tell her I am getting her ready for bed. I potentially begin to get her ready for bed by first removing her eyeglasses, placing tem on her bedside table and then she says to me, "That's as far as I'm letting you go with me. I have standards." Obviously, she is thinking I have more in mind than just simply getting her ready for bed. So, I exit the room, and inform the nurse that she is uncomfortable with me, being a male, getting her ready for bed and told her, "She said, 'I have standards.'" The nurse then said, "Well, it's good to know that, at one time, women actually had standards because women these days don't have standards." 😂😅😅

My first shift is this Saturday 😂 I’m on a nephrology floor. I did not pass my final semester of nursing school, so I’m using my “time off” as an opportunity to strengthen my knowledge base and get accustomed to long shifts and total patient care. I know it’s going to suck, but I’m also humbled to be doing it. Thanks for this video!

Amazing video! I definitely needed that

Thank you!! Needed to hear this!!!

CNA’s do 10 times more than a Nurse. I’m sorry if you’re a nurse reading this comment but it’s the truth.

Amazing video, thanks David !

Great advice!

I am a CNA and a certified medication aide. It's very rewarding but it's not easy. The mental part is the hardest part for me. When one of my residents die it breaks my heart.

Been a CNA for 7 years this September. My 7 year mark is 2 days after my birth on the 25th. I’ve worked in Home Healthcare, Assisted Living, SNF’s, LTC/Rehab, a Hosptial, and have done agency work. Now I’m in school for my LPN and plans on going for RN after. I’ve had two lower back injuries because of being a CNA. You have to take care of your body. I’m still working as a CNA and it’s rewarding. The pay is shit but my suggestion is to keep moving up that ladder.

Thanks buddy I believe in hard work !!! Your info was fantastic I subscribed

It's not the worst. My SNF paid for my CNA course and in fact paid me an hourly rate while I took it. I now make $20 an hour plus shift differential. Good money for a nursing student. Once I graduate with my BSN I could stay and easily make $40 an hour as a new grad RN.

I honestly think that working a job like this should be a requirement for nursing school at least to give an idea of just what it takes to care of patients who cannot do it themselves and are vulnerable. Kind of also want to say maybe it might help weed out people who should not be nurses, but I think I'm jaded by a few extremely bad experiences from when I was really sick. My state has some of the highest requirements to become a CNA and I wish that more states followed, or that the federal minimums were raised. It honestly feels like a lot of people get into this line of work and don't know what it is really or think it's easy. A lot of home healthcare places/assisted living won't hire CNAs here because they can't handle medications. They instead go with caregivers who have to complete an 8-hour online course and they're good to go. It's a far cry from the 150 hours CNAs complete and then the board tests plus renewals for about the same wages. And given the medication errors I've seen in places that allow caregivers to give meds, I really hope there's more regulation in the future over that. It's such a physically demanding job when working in skilled nursing facilities, and depending on the nursing facility you can wind up in really bad situations to boot. At least with sub-acute/rehab, you often get to send people home, in LTC it's hard because often they're in small rooms that are shared with little privacy and few personal items. With the staff shortages, there is often a huge time crunch and limited time to spend, leading to a lot of loneliness and isolation for them, especially with the Covid restrictions. It's a hard job, can be heartbreaking, and while the nursing staff may appreciate it, most people on the outside won't understand how labor-intensive it is. I do have to laugh at the people in the comments being upset with having to deal with poop and wanting to be nurses. I've seen some amazing wounds, along with the smell that comes along with it (and sometimes the fun MRSA or other infections that hitch a ride). I mean, maybe if you were a nurse at a GP's office you would be okay, but nurses deal with a lot of really gross stuff. Poop is far down my list of worst things to deal with.

Thank you so much. Great video

Yes I'm a retired CNA/HHA/PT. I had a chance to go to nursing school but I actually liked being a CNA. I worked a lot in the hospitals with nurses and practitioners. They really appreciate us. I'm retired now. I have great respect for nurses and doctors.

I respect CNAs a lot, but I hated learning to become one. It takes empathy, patience, hard work, and for myself I wasn’t having it. When I did my clinicals, i had a bad experience with the nurses, they really didn’t want us their and it kinda sucked. And as for the patients, I had some situations too where it was rough and I noticed that this wasn’t for me at all. I honestly didn’t like the environment of my clinical location. And even though I’m not in nursing anymore I still think their OGs for doing all they do. 🙌🏽

You have such a wonderful energy about you 🎉

Thank you so much for your honesty!! Let's not forget the mobility of very heavyset patients causes life altering permanently disabling back injuries!!

Great video!

Hey little D! Great video! I was a CNA, EMT, and a psych tech before i became a nurse and by far being a CNA was the WORST, I literally just playing in poop and got yelled at by old crabby nurses everyday. Trauma tech in the ED was the best spot, now im a nurse in the cath lab and i LOVE IT! Wouldn't trade my job for anything. Compared to all of my previous jobs, this doesn't even feel like work TBH.

When your a CNA you get asked a thousand times a day by staff and patients (and your family) if you are going to go into nursing. It's lowkey annoying 😒

Nurses are the backbone of doctors and CNAs are the backbone of nurses. I encourage my students to become CNAs for firsthand experience.

Thank you so much for this video! I concluded my second core term and contemplated if challenging the CNA board exam was worth the hype for nursing students. Do you have any recommendations for student nurses? Pros and cons?

I'm starting my CNA training in a week or so. I am excited. I am going into this looking at all the positive I can! I'm starting at 15.50 (a dollar above minimum wage here) and they bump it up to 16.60 after you get certified. (They pay for training) And they give you a raise each year. I'm very happy I'm able to have this opportunity.

I went ahead and subscribed you give some great points but I'm going into CNA for experience for at least a year, sign up for classes at a university it takes too long to get an RN degree in community college than a university here.

Thanks I think people go for this because it's the only available option

I could never keep up. I worked as one for a few months before they fired me. I don't know if it was where I worked or just I'm not built to keep up with a job like that. I worked in a 52 bed nursing home. I had if I remember correctly 15-20 patients to take care of.

Such an awesome video... I really wanna know more about being a CNA and how I wish u can help us know more

Hi, I just came across your video. Thanks for this information. I was actually thinking of taken the role of CNA. I guess I will just quite the idea. But then, how can I become a medical assistant?

Just subscribed :) I’m currently a CNA and I’m about to start vlogging my CNA journey-BSN to pediatric RN :) if I’m going to be a pediatric nurse in the future so is being a CNA good or should I look into being a CMA?

I love being a CNA the job is extremely satisfying. Without us CNA’S the nurses wouldn’t be able to function. We are definitely one of the most important positions in the healthcare system. Not only do we clean people, we do range of motions, some wound care, emergencies such as CPR and making sure they don’t have pressure sores, etc.

Yes. CNA is a pain in the butt brotha. I tell you what I almost completed my course until covid hit. Might go back as a CNA and graduate! They had to practice poking people. You would be a great teacher

Wait... Being a CNA, do you work while you're in nursing school? Or after? Please help, can someone explain?

Most nursing programs are requiring students to have a CNA license prior to applying to the program.

I disagree with some points. I have 20yrs experience in the medical field specifically nursing homes and CNA work. I was a CNA for 3 yrs before I moved up the ladder. Being in the medical field for so long I can tell you that CNAs are the most important in any facility. I disagree with the point you made on wages. Going into the medical field it's automatically known you have to be a caring person but that's why the incentive of money exist. Take away the high paying wages of a nurse or doctor and see if they do the dirty work for a stranger in their facility. Ppl absolutely go into the medical field for the money. It's a steady job you always have a paycheck and reliable job. Incentive is needed to motivate ppl to do a job is a no brainer and caring automatically comes with the territory. Next thing I disagree with is not being a CNA to start off your medical journey. It absolutely helps because it weeds out those who don't want to do the work. Being a CNA is extremely hard work. Back breaking hard work. Stressful as well. They're also underpaid bare minimum should be 18 an hour. It's a skill and a trade to learn properly to ambulate ppl and use the hoyer lifts and sit to stands and manuever patients accordingly. I suggest be a CNA for 2yrs understand the hard work ethic because it will make you a better nurse and to be a team player. Good luck to anyone pursing a nursing or other medical advancement.

Hi everyone. If I’m a health care assistant in the UK (called nurses aid in USA) where can I go online to find jobs in USA ? It would be under the EB-3 Unskilled visa. I don’t know of any agency’s or websites that fund foreign nurses aids.

i’m in high school in a ROP cna class and i’m starting my clinicals tomorrow and seeing this is so stressful😭😭

Amazing video 👍 how’s the process to be a RN through the hospital is they’re willing to pay for it?

I’ve been a LNA for 10 years in a hospital settings. I enjoy my job and now I’m pursuing a nursing degree and I know I’ll be ahead of many nursing students cause I have those skills already. I also have seen and exposed to many procedures and medical terms.

I want to be a CNA as a stepping stone to be an RN.

Trust me I know...unappreciated, low pay, sorry cna appreciation gifts and basically pure hell

So i have a question, i'd love to be a cna but i'm swamped with work and going to community college to become a rn. Do programs automatically reject u if don't have prior experince?

Cnas in a respiratory rehab only has 6-8 patients on day and get payed better then in the hospital:)

Actually here in NY CNAs are well paid imo, minimum average is 19 an hour and maximum offer I've seen is 23.50 an hour the more experience you have, the more they pay you, but I heard it's a busy job 8 to 10 hours for 5 days straight, I have a CNA friend and he said clinics are the best option for work balance, not too busy, and a good pay, hospitals are the worst for a CNA.

Hi David, I'm a junior in college pursuing to become a physical therapist. I'm currently working at a Physical therapy clinic as a Tech and wanted ask if moving towards applying as CNA at a hospital would be recommended or if I should continue to shadow/work at a different PT clinic?

i’m going to become a cna, and eventually a pediatrician, just want to learn some good stuff while going to college

Hey there! Nice video, great reason. So I am looking to gain patient care hours to apply for PA school in the next 2-3 years. I am stuck between doing the CNA or the ANA (advance nursing aide) program at the institution I am looking at. The ANA consist of CNA certification + EKG & phlebotomy certification. The ANA course is $1200 more than the CNA course. What do you think? Any advice?

Hardest, most underpaid job in the world. DONT DO IT. YOURE WORTH MORE.

I’ve worked in healthcare for almost 4 years, and I’m now thinking of getting a CNA certificate. Would my previous experience help my pay rate be higher?

Hi David,thanks for the knowledge. Qn What's the cost of studying cna course.

EVS is the shield / backbone of the hospital in my opinion plus most evs make more than cna's :)

It's a thankless job, that doesn't cover the cost of living.

Yeah, I’m not going back there

Becoming is some what hard but if you make it and go for a rn there could be potential all depends wear your staying at wear you live also determine your pay cna in California is about 50k to 39k yearly but if you go for something else hire like rn but harder it’s about 60k -100k year that’s in California wear I’m at all depending on your state on how much they would pay you but as of now we are high in demand so even new graduates are getting any wear 80k-90k or should as there first year as an rn putting in the hours too

Alright I’m not gonna do this anymore💗

I’m thinking of taking classes to become a cna in pediatrics, is pediatrics a good department to work in as a cna? I love kids so I’m hoping this path is worth it in the long run.

This helps

I see what you mean by only be a CNA if you go for rn,but CNA is a good way for someone to see if they will be good in medical field. Working with patients and seeing how annoying they can be. You have to be patient and if you think about it every job does no pay you a fair wage.

Hey,is this the same as hospitality aide?

so if i wanted to become a surgeon in the future but for now in college i’d like to be a CNA, it’s not a good idea? what do you suggest I should do instead?

Man I wish I never got my CNA it’s something I regret ..., I’m in the LPN program now and I’m so happy .. I’m not even working as CNA I’m work at amazon while in nursing school and getting paid more money ..

I lived in a state recently that becoming a nurse was impossible because the class size is limited and came down to who you know first and then grades. Even my friends wife was unable to get into the nursing program, even with her perfect grades and scores. They left the state after trying for 3-years and she got accepted into a nursing program immediately. I have wanted to become a nurse since 2008 but as stated above, I never tried because of the extreme competition and limited classes. Even the CNA class is only offered once a year or every other year with limited spots available. During Covid, they cancelled classes altogether. Now, we have moved to a new state for my wife's medical needs, and while we miss home, it is clear the opportunities are abundant in our new home. I'd like to maybe get my CNA certification this coming January and start working, then in a year or two start taking a couple classes a semester to become a nurse. My wife has a lot of medical needs and think that working full time with taking two classes is going to put a lot of strain on our family. The only concern is age, I will be 40 in the coming months. Also, I would have to see what classes that I've already taken for my last degree would transfer over for the RN courses. I already done a lot of math, science, chemistry, etc.

What's the best option if I want to work on health care? In looking for short time school.. like a year.. and make money

what the diff between Nursing Assistant and CNA? I recall trying an 6month or 18m program to become an NA years ago. now I want to help teens I work with to choose where to work when they want to become a nurse. which is best? NA, CNA or RNA? which pays more?? does travel pay more than staying? which pays more and how long do you need to train to become an NA vs. CNA or RNA?

In Texas in long-term care facilities, there is no resident-to-aide ratio cap.

Thanks for the information I'm a Ugandan RN and I migrated to the UAE (Dubai) now I'm working a a certified nurse assistant. Is it possible to upgrade my studies in any country? Please advise Kind regards🙏

I would never have chosen to be a cna after already having worked as a personal care aide in a couple different settings. I only became a cna (which I'm not officially yet - I'm an na, have completed the cna course and waiting to have a test scheduled by my employer. I still get my own hall every night, although two cnas are still on shift because they can't leave just one cna and one na, so I still have an extra person/float to help out with hoyer lifts and sometimes they offer to help turn some of the heavier people and in particular usually help me out a lot in the morning bc that's a bit more time constrained with getting everyone up and they know I'm slow. I sometimes take around 45 minutes for rounds if everyone is wet, with 16 people on the hall and about 10 of those people being extensive assist or totally dependent (I'd say about 3 of those people I just mentioned are able to roll themselves pretty well) So yeah, I'm slow as hell.

I'm studying to be a CNA at the moment (I want to be a nurse someday but I'm so tired of school and you "only" have to be in school for 18-ish months to be a CNA and at least three years to be a nurse where I'm from) and it makes me so upset when people think CNAs do less work than nurses. Sure, you're not as qualified as a nurse, but oh man, it's still a lot of work.

I've been a CNA since 2017. I have never gotten a raise (the only pay increase I got was because minimum wage went up, and even after that I still make minimum wage). I am treated poorly. The only reason I keep going is because I'm a nursing student, but if I weren't I would have quit a long time ago.

Could a foreign nurse obtain a CNA license by transcribing her RN title, in board california or, florida ?

The pay is low when you work for the company directly BUT if you are an agency cna you can earn almost $30/hr.

I’m going to be a senior in high school and I want to go to med school. Is being a CNA good experience to prepare and get some hours??

What do you think about being a medical assistant then going into nursing school is that alright ?

David what would be an entry level pay scale for new CNA’s?

I’m interested in being a cna as a stepping stone. One question, do most nursing programs require you to take cna courses or is it just a select few?

I was CNA in a nursing home it's the hardest job ever. You clean up after people who use the bathroom in there bed and you have to clean up the mess.

My mom's a cna and it's hard work but it pays off my mom has had the best patients that their families don't wanna deal with 🤦🏽‍♀️and every state is different pay and ppl

So you want to be a CNA well first. Keep yourself in shape lift weights, no junk food eating and do yoga exercises. You think you’ll have energy eating pizza and sodas working a 12 hour shift? Get help, while working with patients that are more than you can transfer or turning in bed. I am not kidding because a back injury or knee can change everything! Don’t stay a CNA forever, believe in yourself go on to further your education. Again stay in shape because you’re working around people with illness’s and you need a strong immune system. When your shift is done leave it at the door! Don’t take it home with you. Maybe a nurse, doctor or staff yelled at you or yes even patients or colleagues; leave it at the door. It’s a tough job! You’ll see death, sickness, mental health problems, along with staff shortages. Do your best. Yeah the pay is terrible, it’s a shame from bedpans to out of control patients, charting, bed alarms, bed baths, it will wear on you! As a nurse someone codes and your behind with meds. Yeah RNs LPNs have different tasks. Charting after your shift is over. Sorry so long but I did it all for years until I developed a spinal cord injury. I knew some nurses where money was the factor in becoming a nurse. It should be a love of caring for people! If you’re a CNA and you don’t want to become a nurse then look at medical records, billing if being a CNA is not for you. Again I did it all and seen it all. One last thing leave your troubles at home. Because your patients need the best from you!

It's crap don't become one EVER . I'm your friend guys, listen to me. I wouldn't wish this job on my worst enemy

At my nursing home the corporate people say 4 cnas are overstaffed and throw admission and room changes and have alot of showers and alot of 2 people heavy changers and alot of residents in general I always say you shouldn't be doing this for the money because if your doing this fir the money your not giving these residents the best care

It should be reasons to become one not reasons why you shouldn’t become one lol. I haven’t seen the video yet. Every job is difficult no job is easy just remember you are helping others.

should I become a CNA if I want to become an RN in college?

Hi, I’m going to be a senior this year ... and I wouldn’t know what would be the best for me after studying my course now that I know that CNA is not very well recommended! Do you have any advice?

I suppose the one stepping stone from being a CNA is the academic route, and maybe someone has said this already. A CNA could pursue teaching CNA courses.

No way lol nursing assistants have a lot of opportunities!! Lol I worked wounds and rna and the facilities you work at can move you into management!!:) there’s a lot of opportunities in az

Not sure about y'all but I've got 15 in the hospital.. nurses get 6-7, 4 if they are icu.

I want to become a CNA but where should I go for to study

They should pay$20 hour for CNA and GNA should get $25 hour they pay low and clean there ass but nothing comes out of it but a low pay rate

14-16 patients?? Wtf hospital did you work at? I work in a hospital and have 5-7 patients max (6 is standard). I cannot imagine having twice that. That sounds extremely unsafe.

Please what is the difference between CNA and NURSE AID

Is it considered as premed course?

Thanks for the video, is it advisable do become CNA first( for the purpose of immigration) migrating from Nigeria to USA. Then latex write NCLEX to become a registered nurse in USA

I have a big respect for CNA who become a Nurse than just Nurse who did not experince being a CNA!