After 10 years, I'm done.

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Here we go. I've been a nursing assistant ever since 2012; almost 10 years. At that time I have worked at a rehab facility and as a physical therapy tech at the hospital. I've been there for over 6 years. Then I transferred to the OR department as a surgical nursing assistant.

The rehab facility where I worked at, I worked days and nights and weekends. I realized that it wasn't for me; but I did learn so much about being a hard worker and a team player. Where I am at now, is the best place and something rare for a nursing assistant. I work 4 days Monday-Thursday, and I get the rest of the week off. And I don't work holidays.

Now, I am at a crossroads; because my license has to be renewed in may. And the truth is, I don't want to renew it.

Don't get me wrong, I love my current job because I'm not in the floor and I don't have to deal with having any of my own patients. I also don't have to see the same patients, only the ones that give me a hard time. There's still some things I don't like doing, like shaving, especially when I have to smell awful things. I do help with toiletings, but it's not as bad as most of the patients can walk. I just have to assist them. I also have to clean them for procedures, depending on what it is. Plus, I work with pretty much the same people so I don't have to work with a variety of different nurses. An added bonus, sometimes I can watch different procedures and it's interesting what the or staff and the doctors does. Overall, WAY different than being on the floor, and even though it can be challenging sometimes, it's the best job I've found for now.

But it's because of the past experiences, especially working in rehab that I don't want to be a CNA anymore. When I first started, I had no idea how much work I would have to do. Being one of the only males that has to help with heavy patients, toileting and giving baths, wiping butts, getting falls, and dealing with so much stress wasn't worth it. When I worked nights it was horrible only because of the sleep schedule. It wasn't all that bad as there was a good team, and some of those workers who got on your nerves. It happens everywhere. I couldn't stand the sleep schedule so I went to days, and a whole new reality opened up. I had to get people ready for therapy, deal with some nasty family members and staff, had to float to other departments adding with the stress of having to deal with my other department; having departments by myself when no one, not even the hospital did anything about it, getting paid 8.35 an hour being a new CNA and getting screwed financially, being as perfect as I could because I had a manager who was strict, etc. It was so bad that I started calling off after being there for a year, every two weeks. I actually tried to get fired on purpose. That didn't work so I quit and went back to school. That didn't work either so I had to go back and endure it for a little longer.

Now that I'm in a better place, I think it's time for me to hang it up for these reasons. One, I am getting older. I am going to be 30 in a few months; I'm not that kid I was anymore. I will start to get weak slowly and I don't want to damage my body anymore than I already have. I don't also want to be labeled as a 'maid.' With the time I have left before I get older, I want to excel and do something different, pursing something that I will have to work hard for, not something as easy as being a CNA. I don't want to be that guy who wipes butts, changing nasty diapers, feed people, being a babysitter. It's not rewarding to me. I also don't want to be one of those people who has to rely on being a CNA for the rest of my life. I known people, even someone who is 70 years old and she has to do this, for her benefits and insurance. What does that say?

One of my biggest fears is that if it's not busy one day, then they might force me to float to the floor, and I do NOT want to go to the floor anymore. It's terrible now. It's getting worse. I don't want that responsibility and getting screwed again, doing something I don't want to do anymore.

I think the main thing is that I really don't need my license for this job. It's as good as it can get. I've checked my application and I've seen that I didn't need my license for this job. Just as I didn't when I was a therapy tech. I've double checked. I might have to confirm with my HR department, but my license is not needed. Plus I don't have to spend needed money for it. For some reason I decided to mention that I had it. I know my boss and I know she might convince me to renew it, but that may not happen.

I think the license overall has helped me into getting the hospital and getting experiences. I felt I paid my dues as a CNA and it's time to move on. Besides, I'm already in the hospital so I can work at different departments if needed. I'm already in. There's no need to degrade myself any lower to for an example, a nursing home, which is now getting worse because of covid.

I've talked with a nurse who works there because I go back from time to time, just to visit. If anything, that job taught me how to be a hard worker. Anyways, she asked if I wanted to come back. A therapist I talked to a few days ago asked if I missed rehab.

I do miss it a little; the people I work with. But don't count on me coming back there.. Ever. The main conclusion is that I'm just going to get screwed over, again.

I had to vent a little. I'm just asking for advice. I'm going to ask my co-workers but I'd like to hear your thoughts. Should I give it up or should I keep it for no reason?

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What do you intend to do for a job if you give it up?  That is the only question that should be uppermost in your mind as you make this decision.  You say that you don't need your certification, but what about changes in circumstances?  For example, if your present employer decides in the future to downsize, or change the requirements to work there, those who don't have certification or other requirements would understandably be high on the list to lose their jobs.  Can you live with this downgrading of your qualifications in the long haul?  If you worry about doing CNA work when you are 75 what have you come up with for a substitute?  Looks like it is time to do some serious career searching.

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I don't want to rely on it like someone who I know that is 70, and she still does it. I want to move forward. I want to ADVANCE. I know I am worth more than being a maid. If that is the case I will have to find something else to do.

You are right I am doing a lot of soul searching and I'm trying to find out what the best thing for me is. I don't want to be a CNA anymore.

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On 3/22/2021 at 4:19 AM, caliotter3 said:

What do you intend to do for a job if you give it up?  That is the only question that should be uppermost in your mind as you make this decision.  You say that you don't need your certification, but what about changes in circumstances?  For example, if your present employer decides in the future to downsize, or change the requirements to work there, those who don't have certification or other requirements would understandably be high on the list to lose their jobs.  Can you live with this downgrading of your qualifications in the long haul?  If you worry about doing CNA work when you are 75 what have you come up with for a substitute?  Looks like it is time to do some serious career searching.

Honestly overall, I don't know what to do with my life. I'm lost. I have no direction. I don't know what to do.....

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Keep it at least until you have put plan B into action.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

There's an end to all our adventures in life. I'm one that like to jump into new things head first. But as I get older, the harder it is for me to adjust to these whims. You should have plan B on standby if you need to work. I agree with JKL33 in this case. If the renewal is off a ways, then start your plan B. If the renewal is right around the corner, renew it. That will give you time to develop your exit strategy. 

I love CNAs, they are truly what nursing is. It's a shame what RN has turned into, but it is what it is. Take care of yourself, we only live one life.

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