Do you have to enjoy being a cna to make it as a lpn!??

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I was a cna for 3 months, give or take a little. I really felt like I was going to love it, I was soooo excited. Then it all just made me want to get in my car and drive away very fast!! Lol. I mean I did my part, I was caring and never took any short cuts, helped out other cna's and nurse's when I could. I was told by a couple cna''s that where in it 10, 15, 30 years that I look like I have been doing this for years!!

the more responsibility that comes along with being a LPN is really what I'm after, well pay of course but being a LPN will I still have to do what the cna's do plus what I have to do like meds, and treatments? I wouldnt have a problem with it, to help out a fellow employee but I know I'm going to have my own responsibilities also.

If I didn't totally fall in love with being a cna or even like it really....does that mean I want be a good nurse? I mean that's why people further their education right? To have a job improvement right? My mind is stuck in nursing and I can truly say I think I could be a great nurse, I feel bad that I don't like being a cna. Should I feel guilty?

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It doesn't mean you will be a bad nurse but I hope you know you will still be doing some CNA duties on top of your nursing roles. As nurses, we still bathe, toilet, answer call bells, and get things for people on top of our other responsibilities.

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I'm an lpn that was not one before. I did direct care for special needs kids while in nursing school, but no adult/ geriatric care. I worked a few times as a cna to help out when my unit is short and to do a whole shift as a cna I strongly dislike. All the nurses that were cna first on my unit are glad not to be cna anymore. So, no you don't have to like it and there are several great nurses I know that were never cna and some terrible nurses that were and vice Versa. They are such different jobs each important. You will do cna stuff while a nurse of course however not nearly as much as an actual cna.

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Well yeah of course, like I said I wouldn't have a problem doing it at all. I had a nurse come tell me I just toileted so and so, and just changed so and so and I'm like...wow she's good!! I just can't do that and only that for a whole shift!!!

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I've never thought about it like that...such different jobs but both important!! Perfect for how I'm feeling..thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I never worked as a CNA, yet I made it as an LPN...

In addition, I didn't enjoy basic care tasks such as feeding, toileting, bathing, showering, passing meal trays, bed-making and emptying trash.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I worked as a CNA and hated it. I love being an LPN. Both were/are in LTC. As a nurse, I am constantly assessing as well as doing meds and treatments. I need to chart. I also call physicians should there be a change in a resident that the physician needs to be aware of. I help out the CNAs when I can. Anytime I am in contact with a resident I am assessing, not head to toe assessment, but looking for any changes by their nonverbal as well as verbally.

I much prefer the nursing aspect, but I also appreciate my CNAs and what they do and how important they are to the nursing team.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
I much prefer the nursing aspect, but I also appreciate my CNAs and what they do and how important they are to the nursing team.

Please don't ever use "my" before CNAs :/

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And that is why there is such hate in caring for others. Comments like that!! We all knows what she meant, why is there a need for a juvenile, disrespectfull comment like that?

Anyways...thank you for your input quiltynurse56!!!

You would think the most important thing in life (ones health) wouldnt have room for juvenile comments.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
And that is why there is such hate in caring for others. Comments like that!! We all knows what she meant, why is there a need for a juvenile, disrespectfull comment like that?

Anyways...thank you for your input quiltynurse56!!!

You would think the most important thing in life (ones health) wouldnt have room for juvenile comments.

How is it juvenile? It's called not creating a hostile, intimidating environment. It's called being respectful to others. Your comment was very "juvenile."

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Hating being a CNA does not mean you will hate being an LPN. I preferred being a CNA over an LPN. Worked both in LTC/NH.

The roles are so entirely different. As a CNA I enjoyed providing personal care, knowing the residents, and clocking out on time. It was HARD back breaking work, but it was enjoyable. As an LVN (LPN) I passed medication and charted the entire shift, never clocked out on time, rarely ate lunch and cried constantly on my way to work over stress.

Just two different roles. That was my experience in LTC. There are many other areas for LPN's to work in that are also different- home health, medical offices, clinics, ect... Lots of opportunities to find a position that you enjoy.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.
Please don't ever use "my" before CNAs :/

Excuse me, the CNAs who are working on my shift with me I am responsible for. They are my CNAs for the shift. Some even even want to work with me. As a nurse, the buck stops with me for whatever happens on the shift I am working, it is my license on the line should something serious goes awry. Most of the CNAs on my shift have a trusting relationship. I know they are going to get their work done and they know that when they let me know of something that I will be checking on it.

That being said, in answer to the OP, again, no you don't have to love being a CNA to become and LPN

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