Prince

I've been living in the States for a little over a year now, have been married for about as long, and have been looking for work here in a small Texan town. I've been interested in nursing for about a year now, and have thought a lot about trying to become a CNA first...to get a better understanding of the field, and have some hands on experience.

There's now, finally, a CNA training program or whatever it is called that's going to be taking place this month. I'd like to apply, but I have some concerns...

For one thing, I am male. I would imagine that there is at least discriminative prejudice against males who try to get into this sort of training...and I don't mean from the outsiders, but from nurses and staff already working there. Why? Because as a male, you're not assumed to be interested in nursing, I guess... So I would think you would get judged based on a different standard than female applicants.

Furthermore, I'm overweight (6'2"/260 lbs), and having pretty much sat on my ass for months, I am not in a very good physical shape. I am wondering whether this would disqualify me from CNA training, or at least make the powers that be hesitant to select me for the training.

Lastly, I have been on fluvoxamine (sold in America as Luvox, I believe), which is an SSRI that I brought with me from Europe when I moved to the States. It was prescribed to me in Europe, and I was on it when I moved over, but quit using it during the summer. I began taking it again a couple of months ago when I started feeling really depressed and lethargic, much due to my inability to find work. In addition to this, I was, years ago, diagnosed with a mild case of bipolar disorder, although there was debate among physicians at the time over whether I actually was bipolar or not. I'd rather say I have bipolar tendencies, but they do not interfere with my ability to function, especially since they're pretty much non-existant these days, and I've never been a danger to others nor myself because of them.

Hence I'm concerned about two issues. Firstly, I am certain that I would have to take a drug test if hired/accepted into training. I wonder if the fluvoxamine would show up on the drug test. But more than that, I do not know how to deal with potential mental health related questions. I've heard a rumour that you cannot become a nurse, if you've ever been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, and hence I would think this would also apply to CNAs. Besides, I don't know if I would want to become a CNA, knowing that all the roads to advancing eventually to possibly become an RN were closed. The thing is, if asked about depression or BD or of the sort, I would not be able to lie, I'm just too...stuck up, I guess, for that. But at the same time, if the question never came about, would I ethically be incorrect not to disclose such information voluntarily?

I will say this though: if I for a split second felt that any mental health related issues or medication I took could interfere with my ability to do my job, I would not even consider working in this field.

This is something I really want to try and do, but I am terrified of being passed over because of the aforementioned reasons.

I'd appreciate any advice.

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Who is John Galt?

maleficent

Under the American's With Disabilities Act (ADA), bipolar disorders are considered a disability, and it is against the law to have an potential employer ask about your mental health before making you a job offer. Doesn't mean companies don't still do it, but if they are caught, they are in violation of the law.

If asked, you aren't in a position to not be honest about the answer, I don't think it's necessary to volunteer the information about what medication that you are on.

I have taken so many drug tests over the years, for various jobs, and from what I understand, they are not looking for prescription drugs, they are looking for illegal drugs that would hamper your job performance. WHen you take the drug test, you are generally asked to sign something that it's OK to test, and you can volunteer any medication you are currently on, I don't know if that's the same in all fields.

Good luck

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mr sticky

Firstly, go ahead with your training...the nursing home centers and hospitals love male CNA's because of the lifting and transfering of patients. Plus, you'll be able to see if nursing is for you. Also, you'll be able to see other hospital degree programs in action that may even be more suitable for your tastes. You'll find there is more than just nurse or doctor. Respiratory Care (my thing), Radiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Technologists are just a few of the different gigs that make up the healthcare team.

As for drug testing: Employee drug testing is generally limited to drugs of abuse. I know of no screen for SSRI's. Also, any drug you have a perscription for is OK. Just list it on your form. It won't count against you. I dare say that most won't know what it is.

Good Luck in your endeavors, even if it means you won't get to post as much.

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The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury

scott2162

I worked in a nursing home for a long time and the residents there seemed to like having male CNA's around a lot more than the females. But I would say that from a staff perspective (I didn't work in nursing) there did seem to be a kind of a clique where the women would hang together and the few men that worked there stayed together. But if you're truly in it for serving the people that live there I'm sure it will work out well for you.

Jennteel

I was a CNA for 10 years. It was my love. But it got too hard mentaly and emotionaly for me so I stepped out of the business. In my experience many of the male nurses I knew were better than the females. I do not think the descrimination is there for make verses female nurses. As for your physical health...don't worry there, not an issue at all. Your mental heath and the prescriptions...well I would say do not volunteer any info if not asked. Try your luck. It's a truly rewarding career.

Amethyst

For one thing, I am male. I would imagine that there is at least discriminative prejudice against males who try to get into this sort of training...and I don't mean from the outsiders, but from nurses and staff already working there. Why? Because as a male, you're not assumed to be interested in nursing, I guess... So I would think you would get judged based on a different standard than female applicants.
I worked as a CNA for 3 years right out of high school. I loved the job and the people but my health would not allow me to continue working. Or I would still be doing it today.
Where I worked there were about 10 males on the staff and they were not judged differently than the females. there was no discriminative prejudice against them. We were all treated equally. Some of the residents even liked the males more than the females.

Furthermore, I'm overweight (6'2"/260 lbs), and having pretty much sat on my ass for months, I am not in a very good physical shape. I am wondering whether this would disqualify me from CNA training, or at least make the powers that be hesitant to select me for the training.

I don't think your weight is a problem in being selected for this kind of work.I was overweight almost the whole time that I worked as a Cna and many other people that worked there were overweight.

Hence I'm concerned about two issues. Firstly, I am certain that I would have to take a drug test if hired/accepted into training. I wonder if the fluvoxamine would show up on the drug test. But more than that, I do not know how to deal with potential mental health related questions. I've heard a rumour that you cannot become a nurse, if you've ever been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, and hence I would think this would also apply to CNAs. Besides, I don't know if I would want to become a CNA, knowing that all the roads to advancing eventually to possibly become an RN were closed. The thing is, if asked about depression or BD or of the sort, I would not be able to lie, I'm just too...stuck up, I guess, for that. But at the same time, if the question never came about, would I ethically be incorrect not to disclose such information voluntarily?

I never had to take a drug test and was never asked any questions about my mental health. And while I was working I was on an anti dep-ressant paxil. No one even knew. So, unless they have changed things in the last few years I would say that you are okay and that if this is a profession that you would like to persue than go for it. It's not for some people but we always need more good nurses.