CNA or LPN.. So confused!

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in CV Surgical, ICU.

I'm currently a CNA, and have been for about 4 years now. I love my job! I work in LTC at a very nice facility. I feel like I'm really making a difference and making my residents as comfortable as possible. At the end of the day I feel good! I've even had the privelege of taking care of my grandmother along with my mother (an LPN) in her last few years. Including her last few months when she lived at my LTC facility and I was assigned to her. It gave me such a sense of pride and love.

Only thing I worry about is, if I be a CNA for a very long time, will my body start to react to it? I mean, can you be an aide until retirement? I would imagine it may become painful after a while.

So I've been considering moving on and being an LPN. I feel like I could make a difference there too. But, I see the nurses running around like crazy, barely getting by, staying late. I worry that maybe if I become a nurse, I'll lose that patient contact that I love so much about the job.

I guess my questions are, in being an LPN or nurse, do you feel like you don't have enough time or energy to make time for the residents? Or is that just dependent on the nurse and how they manage their time?

Also, is there anyone here who has made a career out of being a CNA, or knows someone who has? And how's it working out for you/them?

I'm just stuck between doing something I truly love and moving on to something I may not love as much. I feel like if I just do it for the pay raise and 'security' I might just wind up unhappy..

So what do you all think, I'd like to hear all of your stories and opinions :)

Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
I'm currently a CNA, and have been for about 4 years now. I love my job! I work in LTC at a very nice facility. I feel like I'm really making a difference and making my residents as comfortable as possible. At the end of the day I feel good! I've even had the privelege of taking care of my grandmother along with my mother (an LPN) in her last few years. Including her last few months when she lived at my LTC facility and I was assigned to her. It gave me such a sense of pride and love.

Only thing I worry about is, if I be a CNA for a very long time, will my body start to react to it? I mean, can you be an aide until retirement? I would imagine it may become painful after a while.

So I've been considering moving on and being an LPN. I feel like I could make a difference there too. But, I see the nurses running around like crazy, barely getting by, staying late. I worry that maybe if I become a nurse, I'll lose that patient contact that I love so much about the job.

I guess my questions are, in being an LPN or nurse, do you feel like you don't have enough time or energy to make time for the residents? Or is that just dependent on the nurse and how they manage their time?

Also, is there anyone here who has made a career out of being a CNA, or knows someone who has? And how's it working out for you/them?

I'm just stuck between doing something I truly love and moving on to something I may not love as much. I feel like if I just do it for the pay raise and 'security' I might just wind up unhappy..

So what do you all think, I'd like to hear all of your stories and opinions :)

i don't work in LTC, but i do know alot of CNA's and PCT's who are totally happy with their job and have no desire to become a nurse. they tell me they enjoy the patient contact and that they do not have the added stress, paperwork and responsibility.

i think if you truly love your job, and you are happy with the money you are making and the position you are in, then by all means stay. i don't think it would be a bad move for you to try your hand at nursing school, no education is ever a waste, but i would hate for you to go through all of it and decide that you hate it.. but you wouldn't know until you tried. being a nurse is partially grounded on the fundamental nursing skills--what you, as a CNA, already do and love doing.

as with most postions in health care, you always have the risk of injury--esp to your back. be careful and always ask for help.

all the best in your career.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Being a CNA is hard heavy work. It will take a toll on your body. I was a CNA for 5 years before becoming an LPN. I started at 19 years old, and am now 26 years old. I've got arthritis in both shoulders, my elbows, and knees. When I get up some days I have more snap, crackle, and pop in my major joints than a bowl of Rice Crispies!! Even with proper body mechanics, I still have arthritis because I worked 16 hour shifts most of the time (nursing school doesn't pay for itself). being an LPN is a little easier on my body, but not by much, since I jump in and help my CNAs with resident care in addition to my nursing duties. I also work at night, so I don't have the added responsibilities of families and doctors, ect. If you love the bedside care you're giving as a CNA and you're happy then by all means, stay where you're happy. MHO

Specializes in CV Surgical, ICU.
i would hate for you to go through all of it and decide that you hate it.. but you wouldn't know until you tried.

I guess that's one thing I'm probably most afraid of

Thank you :)

Specializes in CV Surgical, ICU.
Being a CNA is hard heavy work. It will take a toll on your body. I was a CNA for 5 years before becoming an LPN. I started at 19 years old, and am now 26 years old. I've got arthritis in both shoulders, my elbows, and knees. When I get up some days I have more snap, crackle, and pop in my major joints than a bowl of Rice Crispies!! Even with proper body mechanics, I still have arthritis because I worked 16 hour shifts most of the time (nursing school doesn't pay for itself). being an LPN is a little easier on my body, but not by much, since I jump in and help my CNAs with resident care in addition to my nursing duties. I also work at night, so I don't have the added responsibilities of families and doctors, ect. If you love the bedside care you're giving as a CNA and you're happy then by all means, stay where you're happy. MHO

Sorry to hear about your arthritis, ouch! and thank you for your response :)

Specializes in Home Health, Post-Opt Rehab, Med Surge.

Hello! I am an LPN and was a CNA for 3 years before i attended nursing school. Depending on the area you want to work in can truly answer your question. I have worked in LTC, Post-Opt Rehab, and currently work in Home Health. I'm going to be honest, as a Home Health Nurse I have more 1 on 1 time with my patients than i ever did working in LTC (I was a CNA at that time). Retirement wise-- i have worked with alot of great women who have made a living working as a CNA and they are 100% happy with their current situation and with their future plans of retirement. You need to figure out where you are truly happy,where you would like to be whether now or down the line, and really if you truly want to be with yourself as a CNA or an LPN. No one lives you life but you, hope this helped you out. Good luck with everything!!

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