CNA --> RN. Worth it?

[FutureNurseWoman]

To anyone who started out as a CNA and is now an RN:

PLEASE ASSURE ME THAT IT WILL BE WORTH IT IN THE END.

I find being a CNA very physically demanding and as a result, I'm starting to notice aches and pains that I've never had before. It worries me and makes me wonder if I'm cut out to be a nurse.

Is this a universal thing that all CNAs have to go through and then they feel better once they become an RN because they aren't doing as many physical things?

I'm sorry, but I don't think being a nurse is worth having to endure constant back and knee pain and always feeling worn out.

Is this something I can fix with diet and exercise, maybe meditation, yoga, etc. or could it be possible that I'm just really not nurse material? I honestly don't know what else I'd do!

[NurseLife88, ADN, RN]

Being a CNA or a Nurse is hard work regardless of where you work or what you do. Some areas though are definetly harder on the body than others, but in my opinion nursing is worth it.The positives outweigh the negatives most of the time and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. I myself love nursing and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I also love my body but suffer from scoliosis and a multitude of other back, hip, and knee issues. I knew I couldn't handle the day to day bedside role for my entire career and took that into consideration when choosing Peds as my speciality. Its not as much heavy lifting and therefore takes less of a toll on my body. I still lift, roll, transfer, etc but instead of a 200lb adult I get a 50 lb kid. I realize Peds isn't for everyone but I love it and my body loves it more!:)