Navy blues, navy blue.
The start of this year was a very difficult time. Nothing was going the way I wished, but one thing that kept my head up was getting into the CNA program. I was on the wait list, so I arrived extra early and as I sat there I would see more and more students come into the class. Nervously, I was hanging onto my seat hoping I'd get in. With two hours of reading paperwork, talking about the class, all that was on my mind was "Am I in the program or am I not?" I was so eager to know, I couldn't handle another paperwork to read especially knowing there is a chance I won't be in the program... After two hours of reading and a 20 minute break the instructor finally called the names of who would be in the program. My name was the second one called and at that second my head exploded with excitement, my body relaxed, and I couldn't bear my emotions, I seriously could hug someone! But I contained my excitement and went straight into focus mode about the program. An 8 week, 5 days a week, and at least 12 hours a day of my time had to be dedicated to this program. I was determined to set my mind and heart to this program, it was something I needed and what I've always wanted.
The program was an overall great experience, but throughout it, there were many ups and downs. I had moments where I just wanted to give up, where I hated myself for not pushing hard enough and even moments where I thought it wasn't meant to be. The first week of the program was going smoothly, I was in the program, I had the clinical shift I wanted, I had enough money to get my supplies, I got an A on my first quiz, so I was confident that I would do fine for the next 8 weeks. But it wasn't until the second week in when I began to doubt my spot in the program. We had quizzes everyday, it was getting hard to figure out what to study for. And on our first day of clinical, I arrived there an hour early eager to have some hand on experience with patients. We waited about 40 minutes until we found out we couldn't be in the facility so we had to drive back to school and get our hours in the lab. (As if it couldn't get any worse.. On my way to school I got a flat tire and was put back an hour and a half to meet up with my clinical group at school.) See there I was already blaming myself that it's a sign I shouldn't be in this program. But one thing my instructor taught us that day was that in the medical field we must learn to be flexible, things aren't always to go as planned, you have to roll with the punches. So from there I kept a positive attitude and hoped for the best.
It took about another week to find out that we were joining the other clinical group(PM shifts) all the way in Encinitas. About an hour and fifteen drive to the clinical site.. It was something I wasn't happy about, but I had to suck it up for the next 5 weeks. And along with those 5 weeks we would back to back quizzes and tests!! Also we had projects that needed to get done and on top of all that we had to worry about our state test we had to take in order to be certified!  It was just a crazy 8 week program that was filled with excitement and mainly stress, and anxiety.
Even through the rough times I had a blast being in the program. I learned so much from my three instructors and I had a fun time learning with my classmates. My first on hand experience.. I thought I wasn't going to like it and I didn't think I could handle it, but I became to love the job. Working as a CNA was something more than just changing someones briefs, or feeding them.. its giving them the love, care and attention they need to make them feel at home. It basically is the simple things like the touch of your hands, helping the residents to the bathroom or a few seconds to sit and talk, that truly makes their day.
This is the stepping stone to what I want to become. I still have a long way to go, but I was given this opportunity to start and learn the very basics of becoming a nurse. This program has given me the knowledge of what true patient care is, it has given me my first on-hand experience in a nursing facility, and it has given me the confidence I need to work towards my nursing degree.
I'm going to miss this class and everyone in it. I'll forever think of our navy blues as being a Mira Costa Certified Nursing Assistant Student. So now that we all passed our state test, I can finally say I'm a CNA and I'm ready for the next step!