CNA ??'s

Don't get discouraged. you have to crawl before you can walk. i feel the same way, but i was told that once you get your cna cartificate that you have to keep it active for 2 years. if you don't you will have to take the class over again. that sucks worse than cleaning poop all day every day.

I've worked as an aide for over two years in a hospital. My job description includes: vital signs, glucose checks, adl's, some dressing changes, pretty much basic nursing care as well as assisting the nurse in some things. I've also been crossed trained to work as a telementry tech (monitoring EKGs) on the cardiac floor I work on. As far as cleaning up poop all day long, a lot will probably depend on where you work, plus it'll only make you a better nurse IMO. You can usually tell the nurses that never worked as a CNA before- at least the ones that think that cleaning up poop is "not their job".

I am also waiting to get into nursing school. I am currently taking my pre-reqs. As far as getting breaks everyday- sometimes yes and sometimes no. Most of the time yes I do however there are days when you have 2 people call out and you are already shortstaffed and it seems like everything under the sun is going wrong. I currently work in a ALF as an aide/med tech. If I'm on the floor I wake residents up, assist with ADLs, clean rooms answer bells, help toilet etc etc. If I'm a med tech I pass out meds, do blood sugars, B/Ps etc etc. As far as cleaning up poop everyday #1 it honestly doesn't bother me. #2 Whenever I do become a nurse I do not expect someone else to be around to clean up someone I am taking care of. Might as well get used to it ya know?