Discourged a bit...

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I was talking to someone today "an ex cna"

They said they quit after a few months because they couldn't handle being a "butt whiper" and a "sponging down nasty old people" all day.

Is it really like that? that bad? Please fill me in..

I loved my time with the elderly, they are a great population to work with and I really respect that generation. Wish I was still there, its not all bad!

what happend where are u now

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Specializes in LTC.

Im not going to lie...being a CNA is rough business. I was a CNA for 3 yrs and it was hard work. I spent most of my shift taking care of my pts. But those ppl didnt chose to be in there. They did not chose to have someone wipe there butt or clean up there urine and change their dirty linen. You are helping these ppl live. You are promoting confidence in these pts weather you want to believe that or not. Every person involved in the pts poc is saving their life in some way. It takes a special person to be a CNA. Do not get discouraged:redbeathe

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.
I was talking to someone today "an ex cna"

They said they quit after a few months because they couldn't handle being a "butt whiper" and a "sponging down nasty old people" all day.

Is it really like that? that bad? Please fill me in..

We recently had a CNA quit who had this attitude. You have to have a heart for the job, and yes there are people who need to be changed. People need to be feed too.

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Specializes in Med surg, Critical Care, LTC.

Yep Gloin, it's just like that. I was a CNA before I became a nurse, and you did the "grunt" work that need to be don't I know that sounds derogatory, but it isn't mean to be, it is a necessary and very important job that often the nurse don't have time to do. Bear in mind though, there are nurse who will try to get out of doing "every" grunt like activity - dont' forget to ask them from time to time for their assistance.

As a CNA you will also get to feed patients, read their cards to them, get their water, help with their meal trays, go to pharmacy to pick up medications, do vital signs, etc... We coudln't do our job without CNA's - Okay, we could, but it would be extremely and exponentially more difficult.

Blessings

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, CCU, Rehab.

I was a CNA for 6 years before becoming an RN. My CNA experience is what convinced me to become a nurse. (I was pursuing a different degree while working as a CNA and went back to school to become a nurse.) It was such a tough job but It was very rewarding. In fact, I got a job in the ICU after graduation because the nurses do more total care with those patients and I didn't want to give that part of the job up. That sounds gross...no one likes wiping butts, but I enjoy being involved in all aspects of my patients' care---not just passing meds. Good luck! :heartbeat

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