Comparing CNA job with RN

[LalaTwenty]

After taking CNA classes, I took both skills and written test and passed! :) I was really excited because I thought that I will learn the basics of being a nurse. I'm currently pursuing a bachelors in nursing but I'm not in nursing school yet. I only applied to 3 nursing facilities and they all called me back. I was surprised and I accepted the closest one to me, so I went through their 1st week orientation, since I have no experience, and I quit only after a few days.

I'm really disappointed on myself for not being able to be as good a CNA as I thought I would be I have no problem with body fluids/excretions and I was good with time management (really busy job btw). So why did I quit?

During CNA school, while I was learning at a nursing home with my class, we worked in pairs when we had a heavy patient. But in my first job, I was sometimes sent to do some patients that were too heavy, on my own. What they say in CNA school about, "call another CNA if you need help lifting a patient" is definitely not true. At least in my case. This job is a very, very busy job. No one has time to help someone out when needed.

Now I understand why everyone (family,friends,classmates,coworkers) asked me why I wanted to become a CNA so soon? That I'm too young (20 yrs old) to break my back, etc. I'm really disappointed on myself for not being able to be as good a CNA as I thought I would be. I really saw how hard it is to be on your own, completely, and how I saved myself from future back problems. I just wanted to tell my story from my point of view because I was like most of the other people who saw that becoming a CNA was a good foundation for future RN's such as myself. I also think that with experience or not, they should pay better for CNA's. It kind of discourages some people to not stay in their jobs for long.

Alright I feel like I vented enough lol

[BeccaBSN]

Well, I just graduated nursing school and started my first RN job, and I'll tell ya, you still have to move patients as an RN! Fortunately I have CNA's to help me, but there are still lots of RNs out there with bad backs from moving patients. Does your hospital have any mechanical lifters? Most hospitals I've been in have expensive lifting-assistance devices just collecting dust on the floor, stuck in a side hallway somewhere. Honestly I really wish I had been a CNA before/during nursing school because I didn't know anything about hospitals or nursing work flow, and now even as a new nurse I'm still figuring it out as I go along! The learning curve of a new nurse is steep enough, I think experience as a CNA would be invaluable. Good luck in your RN pursuit, and I hope you find a fulfilling position!