Excited, and Angry

Nurses Career Support

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Hey all I'm new to this site but i'd just like someone to cheer me up. I took time off after to college to become a vet tech. In the state of NJ you do not need any sort of degree to be one you can however take the class. I always had wonderful bed side manner and was very good at what I did. IV insertion learning about all the drugs, monitoring surgery, bedside care, ect. I loved it however I couldn't deal with so many owners doing what was the cheapest option and making their animals sicker. I guess after 5 years of seeing people with their expensive bags telling me that they could afford the drug that will make there pet better and they'd wait it out you get fed up. SO i decided to go back to school, first I did a phlebotomy class which I loved and did while working at the vets. I left there to do internship ended up that I really missed the bedside manner part and getting to know people. So I decided to go to my county college. I have 6 more classes before I can start the nursing program. So for experience I went looking for a nurses assistant job. And huge surprise to me I get the first one I interviewed for in the PCU. Im excited so happy to be hired with no experience and to have my foot in the door. However my boyfriend has been making me feel very bad about the job. I was describing it and he's like well its not a real nurse job. And I personally got offended I mean no I'm not a RN but i would still consider it a nurses job. Am I in the wrong here? Also any advice about the job I start my orientation june 11th!

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Also to clear up I'm not saying I should be called a nurse but it is a job in the nursing career and I'm getting my foot in the door. I don't think it should be taken like its nothing. Like he's making it seem like I got a job washing windows somewhere instead of something that will directly start my career.

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I hope you have a pair of asbestos undies in your drawer because this is a hot-button topic. The long and the short of it is no this is not a job in the nursing career but it IS a job in healthcare and one to be proud of.

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Interestingly enough, it is common for jealousy to happen right about now. Your boyfriend is showing big signs. No, you will not be doing what a nurse does. You are support staff. BUT, you are going to school and hoping to get a little "human" experience. You will be around it and see it, although you quickly may find you prefer animals...

Rambling, yes, I am. You need to keep mindful of your boundaries with this boyfriend. Sounds like he would like to take you down a notch. Throw him in his "time-out" chair fast and be ruthless now because nursing school and nursing is going to take every ounce you've got and he needs to know that he won't last with you long if he keeps on this way.

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definitely ignore people who try to bring you down. if he's like that now, he'll be worse when you get so busy with nursing school.

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Thank you. And in no way am i saying anything about what the job should be called. NA nothing else and I know that. I read the one post about disrespect and I figure they ought to go find another place to work if they feel that way. I would just like to be called by my first name and preferably with no attitude. I just felt that it is an important job, someones got to do it. but it shouldn't be taken as a cashier. I know once Ive taken that test I'm not going to want to be confused as to what i can and can't do and by no means am starting any arguments over it. But thanks again, any real advice on things during the job, actually in my state begin as its a teaching hospital as long as a director signs it I get out of nursing 1. woo lol!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Honestly, I didn't get the impression you were confusing the two things at all. I think your boyfriend's comment is ridiculous (no offense). Of course it isn't "like a real nurse job". When someone has yet to begin school to learn a career, any career, they aren't that thing yet. I'll spare you the "duh" I had thought about including, in deference to what I'm sure are the many other outstanding qualities your boyfriend has. :)

Your past vet tech experience will serve you well, and you can learn quite a bit about aspects of the nurse's job and more abstract things like teamwork and staff relations while working as a CNA. Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

I don't think this is a "hot button issue.". The point is OP is excited to be working toward her goal and achieving success and her significant other is raining on her parade.

But you know what? A parade in the rain is still a parade. Be proud of yourself and he can have his negativity.

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Thank you all very much! I have 5 more prereqs to go. After I posted this I was checking around trying to see what kind of jobs id be responsible for, you know they tell you on the phone but I wanted to know what people really thought, and I saw all the discussions and I thought to myself Oh my goodness my first post on here and its going to be a big huge debate with people getting all offend. Well thanks and if you have any advice i'm very excited to be working a full time job with my foot in the door and still be able to go to school!

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Congrats on the new job! I was excited when I got hired at the nursing home as a nursing assistant. Super excited when I passed my certification test to be a CERTIFIED Nursing Assistant. You're on your way!

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My personal opinion is that NAs can very much be considered part of the field of nursing in that it really does help to get your foot in the door and help you become comfortable around patients. But even if your boyfriend or others don't consider it to be, that doesn't mean that you should feel that way! Plus, regardless of how people feel on the issue, there is no doubt you will learn skills that will help you in your nursing classes and clinicals. I think that will become evident when others in your nursing class have to approach and touch/handle a stranger with a level of physical closeness they've never experienced, and you've already got that part down. :) Also, don't let your guy get you down. Of course I'm judging from just this post and don't know about his good qualities, but perhaps it's time to sit him down and let him know you need the support and respect that everyone in a loving relationship deserves. If he can't give that to you...well, maybe it's best to consider moving on. Best of luck to you in all you do!

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Specializes in Neuroscience/Brain and Stroke.

This is great job for someone wanting to go to nursing school. Your first semester will be so much easier with the experience you gain on the job. While it's not really a nursing job, you are expected to do the same tasks as a nurse if your NA is busy, so the experience is only going to make you a better nurse. And NA jobs are very important, NA's are the people that patients see the most, you care for them in their most vulnerable times (baths, toileting, peri care, ect), so don't let your bf get you down and take your job seriously because the patients WILL!

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