Did being a CNA make you NOT want to be a nurse anymore?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I'm just curious, because I'm working as a CNA and am really having doubts about whether or not nursing is for me anymore. For now, I'll blame it on the fact that I'm new and am HATING life. I hope it improves. What was your experience?

You were the slowest one?

I feel so stupid. I've done 8 days of work and I'm still in training, but I seem to mess up every day. Or look like I did.

Do you have any advice on becoming better?

The only thing being a CNA has done, is make me not want to be a CNA anymore , because of some of the experiences. Don't get me wrong it's not the poop or pee that scares me it's having to lift people without help being that I'm very tiny and a few other things . I loved taking care of people, but too many bad experiences turned me off like being treated less than a human being and don't get me started on the pay .

That is why I'm going to become a phlebotomist and leave this behind. Don't get me wrong there were some clients I love , but there others I wish to never see again .

It's made me want to be a Nurse more than anything.

I'm a new CNA with only two weeks at my first job. It is crazy work, I am still working on time- management, and during my last shift I was assigned 13 patients. I'm in the rehab section and it probably would have been 15 if some of the patients hadn't left to go to the hospital, or had checked out.

I like my job, but like so many others have stated it's exhausting and the pay could be better. I am on the higher end of the pay spectrum because I work the NOC shift, but the pay differential is not THAT impressive. Pluses: We do get bonuses and incentives each paycheck for perfect attendance, as much overtime as we like, and up to $1,000 for referring a new CNA that gets hired on.

My ultimate reason for become a CNA and sticking with it is that in the state of California after you work for 48 months as a CNA, you can challenge the board to become an LVN after devoting 6 weeks to Pediatrics and 6 weeks to Maternity. You also have to take Pharmacology.

Working as a CNA and working towards that goal, it's almost like I am receiving paid training. That's the way I choose to look at it. So, I'm determined to hang in there as long as I can so that I can realize the goal becoming an LVN without having to pay thousands of dollars for the program.

That said, the choice a person has to make in challenging the Board is that at this time if you challenge the Board in California, your license is only good in the state of California. Of course, if you don't plan to move out of state, it won't be an issue.

It baffles me how many CNAs that I work with are not aware of this when they've been working as a CNA for decades. Then again, some CNAs don't want to become nurses. There's always that.

I'm going to keep plugging away at it for now. Don't know how I will feel as time goes along.

Working as a CNA and working towards that goal, it's almost like I am receiving paid training. That's the way I choose to look at it. So, I'm determined to hang in there as long as I can so that I can realize the goal becoming an LVN without having to pay thousands of dollars for the program.

Not sure which part of CA you live in, but there are some CC's that have an affordable vocational nursing program. It sounds like you're currently at a SNF. To get hired as a PCT in Pediatrics or Maternity usually requires experience in that setting or at least acute hospital experience. So even though 6 weeks sounds brief it isn't that easy to obtain jobs in those position. So I would definitely recommend looking into CC vocational nursing programs. Or if your ultimate goal is to be an RN apply for ADN programs in your area.

Not sure which part of CA you live in, but there are some CC's that have an affordable vocational nursing program. It sounds like you're currently at a SNF. To get hired as a PCT in Pediatrics or Maternity usually requires experience in that setting or at least acute hospital experience. So even though 6 weeks sounds brief it isn't that easy to obtain jobs in those position. So I would definitely recommend looking into CC vocational nursing programs. Or if your ultimate goal is to be an RN apply for ADN programs in your area.

Thanks for the comment. I'm not one to go into debt, and there are varying opinions on what one considers affordable. For now, my plan remains the same. The

Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians is very detailed on its criteria no matter which part of California you live in, and the qualifications that are required to challenge the LVN board are quite clear. That is my plan for now. But, as much in life, it is subject to change.

My current employer does offer scholarships, and of course, there are grants floating around out there somewhere. But I'm so new to the nursing world that we'll have to see where this road takes me.

All the best.

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