Should I become a CNA?

[Zalan]

Here is a little bit of the background:

Its been about a year and half ago. I use to work as a Hospital Tech. I use to really love the job. The job made me feel good about myself. The first 5 months of the job were great, except for having to Cath people. However, on month number 6 I snapped & walked out. When I say snapped, my feelings were I can`t do this no more, nor can I put up with this anymore. Out of a 10 patent load there were 7 incontent patients, & 3 tube patients. Nor was I getting any help at the time from other techs or nurses. & at the time it also made me drop some college classes & not purse a nursing career.

Now looking back on what I have done. I regret just walking out. Was thinking about taking the CNA class at the community college. & working in a one on one enviroment through a agency. Do you think I should purse being a CNA? or let the thought pass & move on from it?

Any advice would be appreciated ^^

[Misslady113]

I don't see why not. If you have the time and the resources, and your heart is into it, go for it! Your not feeling the urge to go back for no reason. There may be some unfinished business for you in this field. It sounds like it was the place you worked at, not the actual field itself which made you leave. There are better places out there that can actually provide an enriching experience as a CNA.

And for future references, never just "snap and walk out". Don't make such hasty decisions based on your emotions at any given time. Emotions are temporary and can leave you regretting your actions if you react because of them. Always take some time to calm down and reevaluate the situation while your calmer so you can make better judgements. Good luck to you and follow your heart.:redbeathe

[Ev1987]

If you still feel passionate about caring for others, than I think you should pursue the class. Sorry to hear about your experience as a tech. Hopefully, you won't have to deal with the same issues at your next job.

[pkuper]

I love my job as a CNA. I am also attending school to get my BSN. I think that if you enjoy helping people you should go for it.

However, at the same time, I must also tell you that having incontinent residents is not going to change. I work third shift and we have a 15-20 pts for each CNA and many of those unless you work on the Rehab unit are incontinent. On the rehab unit, we have multiple G-tube patients and cath patients. It is hard work, and having that many incontinent patients is unlikely to change.

At my facility, the majority of the nurses will not even help answer call lights, let alone help change or transfer a resident. All of us aides realize that this is a problem, so we work together and are all about team work. I have found that if I want help, I must help others too. So, usually, when I work day or evening shift, we all are like, "can you help me with such and such" and then after they help, we always ask, "do you need any help?" and even if they don't need help, the offer is appreciated. This creates an atmosphere of team work and everyone tends to be in a better mood knowing that if they need help they are going to get it, without any attitude. I know not every facility is like this, but if I were you when you started looking into jobs ask people who work at that facility, if you can, if they feel there is an atmosphere of teamwork, whether people were helpful, ect. My feeling is that a being a CNA is hard work, we are usually underpaid, and typically under appreciated, why should our jobs be made harder by working with people who don't want to help?