[emily84]

I've been planning for about 6 months now to apply for MEPN/GEPN programs for fall of 2009, with a nurse-midwifery degree being the end goal. I recently (three weeks agao) started working as a CNA at an LTC while taking pre-reqs and I am miserable. Even with 10-12 patients, I feel like I never get eeverything (even enough) done and I take all my work-related anxiety home with me and worry on my days off about my previous and upcoming days at work. Is nursing different? Or will I carry all this stress with me all the time, and should I get out now before I've invested $$$ in an education?

[Spidey's mom]

Being an RN is different . . although you will still work as a team and have to do some of the same things. Depending of course on where you end up.

Do you have to work? I'd give up the CNA job or try to find one in another area besides LTC.

But, no . . you won't hate nursing if you hate being a CNA. Not necessarily.

steph

[Suesquatch]

Nursing is stress, and you never feel like you did everything.

[Gauge]

My mother was a CNA for about 6 years before she finally finished her LPN this past fall. She said the work is alot more mental than physical now, but she likes her job a whole lot more. Being a nursing student I would have to agree. We did clinicals in a nursing home this semester and every clinical day except one we did total patient care (same thing as a CNA) except we only had 1-2 patients. I couldn't imagine getting 10-12 or even more at some facilities and getting work done. But on the other hand, we got to give medications one day and I love that day! It's a different world between nursing and CNA work, I will be happy to be a nurse, but don't think I could be a CNA. Hope this helps.

[jackson145]

I worked in the ER at my hospital and took a job as a tech (sort of like CNA) on the Med/Surg floor. The RN's from the ER said I'd hate being a tech and that I should just stick with being a clerk until I went to nursing school. I can't say I hate tech work, but from observing the nurses, I think I'll like nursing more. However, I'm glad I've had the patient care experience that tech work has given me.
Apparently, a lot of nurses wouldn't like to be CNA's, so I guess it doesn't mean you wouldn't like nursing if you don't like CNA. Remember though, a lot of times nurses end up doing CNA duties. If you can't stand wiping dirty bottoms and making beds you might be unhappy when you find yourself having to do it as a nurse. It's not a main duty for a nurse, but if there aren't enough CNAs/techs, the work must be done!

[marilynmom]

I worked as a CNA and I hated every SECOND of it! I even worked in a really nice place and hated it (med surg type floors). I just don't like that type of job--it is just very physical work. Comparing a CNA to an RN is like comparing apples to oranges. It ain't the same, not even close. I quite my CNA job after a month. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone and I wouldn't do it again.

I now work as a nurse tech and I LOVE it!! I get to do nursing skills (foleys, IVs, NG tubes, blood draws, etc) and it rocks. I still help clean patients and turn and stuff but there is just a lot more to it. I mean some of the CNA duties are nursing duties. I work in an ICU and we don't have any aides that work there so the RN and the techs have to do it all, no one loves wiping butts but it's not what you do all day long either.

So no, please don't think that because you hate being a CNA you will also hate being an RN. Once you start nursing school and get farther along in your program (meaning once you learn more and more skills) you will see the difference. You might enjoy CNA type work though on an OB floor.

I have a friend who wants to work in OB when she is done and works as a CNA on that floor and she LOVES it!

You really have to find your area of nursing. If I worked as a nurse tech on a med/surg floor I would hate that because I hate med/surg, I like the ICU. also your patient population is a factor. I work in the PICU and that is the patient population I like and enjoy working with.

If you don't have to work I wouldn't even bother working if you hate that job. After your first semester of nursing school hospitals are going to start recruiting you and you will be able to start working as a nurse tech or something similar and that may be a better route for you to go.

[Suesquatch]

Originally Posted by jackson145

Remember though, a lot of times nurses end up doing CNA duties.

All CNA duties are nursing duties, not the reverse.

This is a pet peeve of mine. Nursing assistants simply perform those nursing duties for which a license if unnecessary.

[jackson145]

Didn't mean to sound that way! I just know my husband thought that when he finished with clinicals he'd never have to wipe another backside or make another bed, that there would be CNA's to do that for him. It doesn't always work that way though, does it?

[beth66335]

I would never work in long term care as a CNA and I have been one for 5 years! I worked in a hospital until I started school and although I got tired of baths and poop, it isn't as hard as a LTC, and you sometimes get to watch or help with cool procedures like central lines or chest tubes! I know I will enjoy being a RN more than an CNA because although there are still some baths and poop there is more of the good stuff! Hang in there, once you get into school you will start to see a difference!

[Suesquatch]

Originally Posted by jackson145

Didn't mean to sound that way! I just know my husband thought that when he finished with clinicals he'd never have to wipe another backside or make another bed, that there would be CNA's to do that for him. It doesn't always work that way though, does it?

It certainly doesn't.