Do you mind the literally dirty work being a CNA?

[WendaDongeau]

I just started the CNA program, I am new to the medical field, didn't really thought about catheters enema cleaning, etc. Are they other procedures like this ? Sometimes I take care of my mother in law and I am helping her with a bath, I am ok with this,although washing her hair is very hard for me, I don`t want to wear gloves,I don`t want to hurt her feeling, she is a great person, I like her a lot,) but-stupid thing- i can't look at her feet, is simply makes me sick in my my stomach, I think I will die if I will have to cut someone's nails, or touch their genitals.I don't want to hurt anyone, I have no problems cleaning a toilet, for example, but i have this problems,I simply wanna know how do do you feel about this? Some tips? Forgot to say, is not my dream to be a nurse, I simply need to change careers, I am working in the hospitality field and the money is not enough.Hope I can hear your thoughts, wish you all the best, respect to all of you :-)

[PhillippaX50]

As a nurse assistant, you will be doing a lot of this - cleaning genitals, like you said. You'll have to find a way to get used to it and be compassionate with your patients. If you were in the hospital and the nurse was grossed out by cleaning you - how would you feel? Nursing is NOT a profession that you get into for the money.

[duskyjewel]

All the parts I thought would be the worst are actually the simplest part of my job. Changing briefs, taking people to the commode, bathing and showering them, emptying foleys.....I'll do that all day long, thank you. Here's what's hard: trying to keep the confused guy with HepC from pulling out his foley and bleeding all over the floor, dealing with the Alzheimer's patient who wants to wander and may hurt himself, trying not to lose my professional facade with the middle-aged drug addict who's showing all his personality flaws at once, trying to figure out how to comfort (within my scope) a hospice patient who's in a pain crisis......

I disagree that it's always bad to choose this job "just for the money." My decision to become a CNA was primarily an economic one. I needed to help my husband support the family and I have to work at night opposite him. It's very important to me that my kids get cared for by their parents and not other people. I am not about to sacrifice three nights a week of sleep for minimum wage, and since CNA takes relatively little preparation, it made the most sense for me. My economic motivation for choosing this field in no way negates my strong moral code, so I'll never be a "bad" CNA. There are lines I would never cross, and I try to follow the Golden Rule. But for me, this job is not a "calling" and I don't think I'll ever become a nurse. I was thinking about an LPN program, but my job situation has turned on me and I need to look for another one. So school is out. But I'm looking at other options and will keep working as a CNA until I have one.

PS at least in my state, CNAs are not allowed to cut toenails. Has something to do with diabetic neuropathy and them not feeling it if you cut their skin, risk for infection, etc.... So you might get saved from that part of it!

[CDEWannaBe]

Everyone has certain things that gross them out. But as long as you don't express your feelings, there's no problem.

Don't overthink it or psych yourself out in advance. If you have to trip someone's toenails it will be 2 minutes of an 8-hour shift.