confused student

[cnarnstudent]

I wanted to be a nurse as far back as I can remember. I am in an ADN program and have one more year to go. During the summer break I took a job as a CNA on a med-surg floor, for the sake of experience. I can't express how the cold reality of how things really are have discouraged me. There are power struggles between the nurses, the aides, the MDs, even the therapists and dietians. I was told I was too busy. I did not spend enough time sitting down. I check on the pts too much. The couple or so lazy nurses that just sit, take advantage of me and use me to do things that are not my job. A certain nurse got mad and reported me to the supervisor because I had been telling her for hours that a pt needed a new colostomy bag, but she kept ignoring me. When the other nurses asked her if she had gotten it she got mad. Nothing I do is ever good enough. I am so frustrated! I am stuck between being an aide, and a student. There are too many nurses on the floor that are there just as bodies, filling space. I am wondering if this is what I really want to do anymore. I have spent so much time and money on this degree and I have a family to support, I cannot quit. I am just so tired and dissatisfied right now, I feel like I may need so psych drugs just to make it through the next two semesters. Any encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

[trjohnson0213]

I know what u mean. I have been a CNA for a long time as well and I feel very frustrated at my job right now. I have been working very hard over the summer because in the fall I start my LPN program alot of things have not been done because of other CNA's as well as lazy nurses.I and other CNA's have been reporting this to the supervisor she tell us to document everything but how much documentation is it going to take before some action going to be taken. I just do the best I can do when I am at work and thats all I can do because I can't worry about other people and what they do. It angers the hell out of me but I am going to have to focus on other things soon and my job can't be a distraction. Good Luck!!!

TJ

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

cnarnstudent,

How about looking at it as you now know where you DON'T want to work when you graduate. Based on my limited floor experience as a CNA (my school has us become CNA's before the 1st semester), I saw some laziness but mostly hard work and respect between the rn's, lpn's and aides. Stick to your work ethic and become the nurse that you would want for yourself and your family.

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

My 1st summer of NS I took a job as a tech in this HORRIBLE hospital. I had NO experience anywhere else, this is where I did my 1st set of clinicals and they seemed nice enough when we were there. I was shocked, stunned and ready to drop out of NS because believe me, it all changed when you were the tech and not the student doing all their work for them. I couldn't believe these people were actually allowed to care for patients each day. That job was very volitle. I quit after 12 shifts and got a job as a tech in an tiny little baby ER. It took some time to mend my shattered spirt, but eventually I realized that there are some awesome people to work with and I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[rninme]

That is what is known as a TOXIC environment. Look at it this way....you know you don't want to work there when you graduate!! Finish school and apply at a different hospital.....all units/hospitals are not the same. Good luck!

[cnarnstudent]

thanks to all. I truly do look at it as taking notes on who I don't want to be as a nurse. I certainly hope I can find a better enviornment to work in. I too did my clinicals at this hospital and it was a serious stark difference between student and aide. I just needed experience and that's what I'm getting-good, bad and even ugly. The OR is looking better everyday! I just wish there was a way to do better. When you are in school and I imagine right out of school, you have a passion and a drive. It is such a shame that a couple rotten souls can destroy that. I like that quote from the previous quote-we need to change the status quo of "eating our young" why not make the commitment to remember what it feels like to be a student and the new guy. The only way to stop "horizontal violence" that leads to burnout and people leaving is by stopping it ourselves. Most especially the new folks.