Depressed about job experiences as CNA

[Krissy NY]

Hi everyone. I always get great feedback here so I have decided to once again share my experience.

I am a new CNA (5 months now) and I became a CNA to dip my toe in the water of nursing. I also learned of the nice tuition reimbursement packages many facilities offer and wanted experience in human services.

I have worked at two facilities and resigned from both, not because I did not like the work or because I didn't love my residents, because I had a very hard time with the other CNA's and some of the LPN's.

Now, I am a very quiet shy person, I think some of the CNA's took my demeanor as "stupidity". I am not sure, I only know I was ordered around, teased (you should be blonde, where is your brain) for something as simple as not shutting a closet door I was taken over the coals..and if it wasn't to my face it was behind my back and repeated to me later. This happened at both places so I said "I quit".

*I have shared this with my boyfriend and he has said things like "you are very pretty and ofcourse woman are going to give you a hard time" or "well you are the new guy and you have to earn their respect"

No. I say as the new quiet shy person I was always going to be given all the hardest residents, all the showers, all the dirty work and I did it only to have them go to the RN and tell her I was "Lazy"....although it was obvious to them I was not.

I am ready to go to school for something else. I don't even have the self-confidence to go on another job interview for CNA. I am sick over the fact that these CNA's who are basically high school drop outs with major problems have intimidated me out of a job. I admit I am shy and soft spoken and I do have my dizzy moments like everyone does at times, but I have had people absolutely hate me and want me to get into trouble or lose my job over my little quirks, even physically hurt me. I am a good worker, my residents were clean as a whistle, turned correctly and safely and I care very much about them.

I am embarrassed for even mentioning the "pretty" thing...but when he (boyfriend) said that I remembered them making fun of me because I never took the elevator always the stairs and joking about my dieting and not having to wear makeup. I also don't smoke and apparently that made me a real "miss priss"

I refuse to go through this again. There were a few LPN's who had attitudes toward me...but they were miserable people. Maybe I made a big mistake getting into this field. Women DO NOT LIKE ME. Sure, the residents did and their families also...but if you can't get along with your co-workers it makes for a very unhappy week. I would even bring in bagels for them once in a while, chip in for more then my share for pizza so others could have some. Never again. I just can't figure out why I always get this treatment from women. I never ever had any problems with the male CNA's or male nurses. It is effecting my life in a negative way and depressing me. I guess that is what these individuals wanted, to hurt me. They succeeded...I am unemployed and depressed.

[Krissy NY]

You know what, I wouldn't last long in LTC either. It's just not my thing. Why don't you FORGET being a CNA in LTC, and go interview at hospitals in your area. NURSING IS FAR MORE THAN LTC, you can work in L&D, a med-surg floor, pediatrics (which I think you'd like), etc. Go to a hospital and interview for a PCT/CCT/Nurse Aide position. Or go back to school and get a Medical Assistant cert. (doesn't take too long I think) and work in a doctors office. When interviewing be creative wtih you LTC expirence (never say they were rude/stupid/mean/bad, you wont get the job). Say something like, "I enjoyed the medical aspect of it, but I think my place is in an environment that helps children/laboring mothers/post surg pts./outpatients."

During my interview in the oncology unit of a hospital I was asked why I had left my position in LTC. I told them I very much wanted to work in a hospital as I could gain new skills and work with all ages. I know better than to say "oh they are miserable and I hated it and.. and.. and..." They probably know that anyway.

[Krissy NY]

Everything you all have shared is very helpful. Third shift I think you really struck a cord though. Maybe I am so full of insecurities from past experiences that I assume things at certain times. We are our own toughest critic.

[pokey sn]

I second what llg said. I was like you for a long time when I was younger but as I got older I learned to speak up for myself. Don't let someone else dictate to you what you are going to do with your life. If they can't handle your ambition, the fact that you're beautiful and young AND have your head on straight, then girl, later for them. Keep doing you! You hear me?:) I was a CNA for eight years while in school for my first degree and later in nursing school. llg is right. Office politics no matter if it's in an office or LTC, acute care, whatever, is the name of the game. When you work in a field dominated by women, know that there is going to be gossip, but once they get to know you and you start feeling like part of the group it passes. Give things another try with the intent that you want to be a good nurse one day. Anyway, that's my two cents. Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do. And if you could just manage to stay in a position for 6mos, perhaps you could do homecare where you primarily work alone--it's a thought.

Good luck,

POKEY GN