If I dislike being a PCA will I dislike being an RN?

Nurses Career Support

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I currently work at a local hospital as a Patient Care Assistant. I do not like my job. Breaking down my job into parts of a whole the job seems easy, but I am constantly stressed out for the entire 12+ hour shift. I really enjoy helping these patients but feel I am constantly chasing my own tail and can not provide them with quality care. I am new to the healthcare field so I'm hoping I will be less stressed as I become more familiar with everything. But I'm curious- if I don't like this job, is there any possibility that I will enjoy being an RN?

Thanks for any input!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I count on and admire them but I could never have been a PCA. The work is back breaking and the pay lousy, imo. Being a nurse gives you more control although that said there are many days in nursing when we also feel like we are just chasing our tail.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Nursing is a very broad field -- with lots of different types of work environments. You might hate type of work and like another. If you like actually taking care of the patients, interacting with them, etc. ... I suspect that you could find a nursing job that would like. But that nursing job might not be that of staff nurse on a very busy unt. You might find another type of nursing job to be a better choice for you.

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Thanks! llg- I think you're right that being a staff nurse in a busy unit probably wouldn't be for me. Maybe a position at a doctor's office or slower paced unit would be better. I'm going to continue with the job I have. Maybe it will get easier as time goes on! And Jules, I agree that the pay is lousy. LOL. Unfortunately, without a degree, my money making options are slim.

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I don't know. I hated being an LPN in LTC, love being an RN. I hated the med cart with a deep and abiding passion and now only get one in an emergency.

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

Just make sure you don't break your back or injure yourself while being a CNA. I agree the work load IS back breaking.

I never went the CNA route and I enjoy nursing. I could hardly stand CNA clinicals.

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