Do you genuinely enjoy Geriatrics?

Published

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.

I'm currently a CNA student. Even though I've wanted to be involved in health care virtually my whole life, and I've wanted to take a course for a couple of years now, I honestly enrolled in CNA school out of necessity.

I couldn't afford college, even at the local community college, because my income went from my parent's (about $120k a year) to my wife's ($10,000 a year) after I filed a FASFA. I have a ten-year-old step son to take care of, and his bio dad is halfway across the country paying about half his child support. To add on to all that, we have a baby on the way, and this tiny two-bedroom apartment isn't going to have enough room for the four of us. So, naturally, we want to move, but do not have the money to do so, considering we have no car, and need to buy one.

I'm not exactly complaining about all this. Being "poor" has helped me mature a lot, and I think in many ways it is a valuable experience.

All that aside, the only place a CNA around here is going to find work is a nursing home, and honestly, I'm not an "old people person". I was somewhat dreading doing labs in this sort of environment. But yesterday, I fed my first resident, and I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and care for this person that I never expected. It looks like geriatrics is going to be a lot more enjoyable than I thought, and I'm actually looking forward to doing more nursing home work!

Anyway, it seems this post is much longer than I planned... But to cut to the chase, do you genuinely enjoy working with the elderly? Or did it grow on you as it is with me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I've always had a soft spot for the elderly and never considered working with any other population over them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I have to be 100% honest. When I first became a CNA I was dreading working in a LTC setting (home health or a nursing home) because I honestly didn't want to work with the elderly. I did my CNA training and I worked for a home health agency for a while (I also did my geriatric clinical for my BSN) and although I did well in each of those settings, with reviews from both my professors and the patients I worked with. I have nothing against elderly patients but its just not the patient population that I want to spend the majority of my time working with and so after being a CNA in Adult Med/Surg I have found my place in Pediatrics (specifically the Critical Care area of the Emergency Room as a tech.) so that's where I want to stay when I graduate nursing school. I really like the elderly as a population, I just don't want to work with them as a nurse.

!Chris :specs:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Chiropractic assistant, CNA in LTC, RN.

I never thought I'd work in a nursing home; I had heard horror stories about them and thought it would be too heart breaking. That being said, after I completed a CNA course, I applied at the local hospital. The were hiring for their skilled nursing unit, LTC basically. I also applied at a local nursing home and was hired on the spot. I absolutely loved my job. I made less money and worked harder than I had in ages but I felt so fulfilled at the end of the day. I didn't always enjoy my coworkers but I almost always enjoyed my residents. I am now applying for a job as an RN and it is in LTC as well. I truly hope I am hired because, after much soul searching, I feel geriatrics is my calling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

actually I love it! I did not think I would enjoy it at all because I have never liked "old people" in general. However, I was in desperate need for a job change and I wanted to get into something in the medical feild so I would have expereince before school(I thought I was going to be an xray tech) I, however, changed my mind and I am going for nursing! I love working in the nursing home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I absolutely fell in love with it.

I've been working with the elderly since 1988 and plan to continue to work with the elderly when I graduate nursing school in July.

Some nurses tell me that LTC is for "bad" nurses who "can't make it in the hospital".

BS!

I have NO desire to work anywhere but with the elderly.

So whether it's Gero-Psych or LTC or whatever, I plan to stay in Geriatrics.

Those are my babies!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been working in home health for almost a month now as a newly licensed CNA - and find that I LOVE working with the elderly. I feel honored. They are a joy to work with. It is early in the career, but feel that any part of healthcare is where I will be. Just taking care of people in some sort of capacity. But this is a great start! So yes, I genuinely enjoy it. We will ALL be older someday, don't you think?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i think that it can be physically demanding and emotionally draining but I love "my" residents. When you care for someone day in and day out its easy to love them. I dont tink that is were I will be as a nurse however. It can be very sad because many of them suffer ut when you lean down and they whisper in your ear thank you and I love you its all worth it. They are in a very vulnerable position and when you gain their trust there is a bond

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I couldn't do it. I did my 16 hours in LTC for my CNA course and I wanted to die. I chose to go into healthcare because I love the idea of truly healing and saving lives. While LTC can be a very rewarding career for some, there is very little medical work and no true saving of lives.

I spent 6 months on a med/surg floor and I then took a course to learn more skills and I work in an ER now. I LOOOOOOOVE it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work in a nursing home and do not enjoy that enviroment. It seems like all I do is take these poor people to the bathroom but I think I am just burned out on nursing homes. I enjoy working in home health care the best because I get to actually meet and know most of my residents.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think were you work and the policies makes a big differences

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i love geriatrics but hate the politics of the ltc system.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion