why on earth would I want to be a nurse?!

angel337, MSN, RN · Aug 21, 2008

you have to WANT to be an RN in order for you to feel its worth it. i wasn't a tech as long as you were but i can definitely say that for me, being a nurse was more fulfilling.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 21, 2008

I am a CNA 15 years experience, home care, ltc and now hospital, last 7 years. I am SO frustrated with the staffing ratios. There just isn't enough of me to go around. I am scheduled to go back to RN school. I just don't know if I want to be an RN. The stress is unbelievable! We can talk until we are blue in the face, and nothing is done. I feel so unappreciated and used as a CNA.
Can anyone relate? Is it better when you do become an RN? I realize there is still stress.....is it easier to take when you're making 2-4 times what a CNA makes?
Please don't get me wrong..... I LOVE what I do. I truly care about the people that I take care of and am complimented often by my coworkers who really enjoy working with me and I with them. I have tremendous respect for nurses and the incredible care they give every day!
Any input is appreciated.

I am sorry to hear that you are under such stress and feel unappreciated. Becoming an nurse has to be a desire from within. You can feel more fulfilled, however, the same issues, but on different levels happen to nurses and even adminstrators and physicians as well. Just the other day, my best friend who is an RN told me of a conversation with a physician who told her that she is also treated like garbage. With all of her education, she feels disrespected; she mentioned several instances to my friend where she asked RNs to do things and they would sneer at her and say "Do it yourself" or "and you think I have time for this?" and many other cruel remarks. Nurses are belittled by administrators, housekeepers, CNAs, physicians, patients and family members as well. And, it may be additional stress on many levels, because now, the nurse is legally responsible and accountable for all patient outcomes. In addition, they are also responsible for the actions of their subordinates. What I discovered when becoming a nurse and getting into the thick of things is that the same behaviors and feelings can still exist-being insulted, demeaned and undervalued. Reading these boards long enough will show you some examples of how frustrated we can get sometimes.

This is not to say that being a nurse is not rewarding. There are more opportunities, maybe more input for the positive outcomes and obtaining the knowledge is a wonderful thing. If it is in your heart to become a nurse, then, do it. Being the type of nurse you aspire to be will be what will sustain you when you do get stressed out.

The first thing you have to do is value what contribution you make, even if you have to tell yourself this every day. A patient is cleaned, turned, and cared for because of you (even those that don't appreciate your efforts:chuckle). You are the eyes and ears of the nurses, you see the clients more and longer than we do, and you warn us of changes in status. You can even show nurses a trick or two in daily care to get the job done. You are the extension of what the nurses can't always get to do. And, don't let anyone get you down. And, occasionally, we have to assert ourselves to let others know that we are human, too. Hope things get better for you; best of luck with whatever you choose to do about returning to school.:wink2:

ilstu99 · Aug 21, 2008

This response might be unpopular, but here goes...

I was a tech in my unit prior to becoming an RN. I worked my rear end off. Like...sweating, body hurting, no time for breaks, no time for chatting, no time to check my work e-mail.....running....for 12 hours solid. We only have 1 tech per shift, so I was helping 15+ RN's and had a "to-do list" 3 pages long. I left every day feeling like I hadn't accomplished 1/2 of what I wanted to accomplish, and everyone would get ****** off at me. I only have two hands, people!

Now I'm an RN in the same unit. I have 3 patients, MAX. The physical demands of the job are considerably less. I get a decent lunch, and a break when I want one. The overall weight of responsibility and decision-making can be stressful, and the babies can be very challenging, but I have a great team I can turn to for support. I no longer feel frustrated and well....used, for lack of a better word.

I realize that there are many RN positions that are 12-hour, thankless marathons. I just don't have one of those. I also realize that there are techs who never move their butts from their chairs/facebook accounts. I was not one of those, and it sounds like the OP isn't either.

Oh....and the best part? They pay me WAY better for this position than the other. Go for it! Don't settle for a crappy unit or facility because you've heard that a nursing job is supposed to be over-worked, under-paid and have zero satisfaction. I, for one, love my job.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Aug 21, 2008

no, unfortunetly, there is never enough of you to go around... ever.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2008

i also worked as a cna before getting my rn. it's a tough job no matter how you cut it. nursing is tough too, although in different ways.

any time i feel unappreciated, i remember that i make a difference in someone's life every day i go to work.

check out my signature line. i guess mt said it all.

we ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

--mother teresa

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Aug 21, 2008

This response might be unpopular, but here goes...
I was a tech in my unit prior to becoming an RN. I worked my rear end off. Like...sweating, body hurting, no time for breaks, no time for chatting, no time to check my work e-mail.....running....for 12 hours solid. We only have 1 tech per shift, so I was helping 15+ RN's and had a "to-do list" 3 pages long. I left every day feeling like I hadn't accomplished 1/2 of what I wanted to accomplish, and everyone would get ****** off at me. I only have two hands, people!
Now I'm an RN in the same unit. I have 3 patients, MAX. The physical demands of the job are considerably less. I get a decent lunch, and a break when I want one. The overall weight of responsibility and decision-making can be stressful, and the babies can be very challenging, but I have a great team I can turn to for support. I no longer feel frustrated and well....used, for lack of a better word.
I realize that there are many RN positions that are 12-hour, thankless marathons. I just don't have one of those. I also realize that there are techs who never move their butts from their chairs/facebook accounts. I was not one of those, and it sounds like the OP isn't either.
Oh....and the best part? They pay me WAY better for this position than the other. Go for it! Don't settle for a crappy unit or facility because you've heard that a nursing job is supposed to be over-worked, under-paid and have zero satisfaction. I, for one, love my job.

I don't think it is fair for techs to be treated in this manner either.

I worked in an ICU when I was in school for a short while... same senario. Run your butt off for 12 hours while the nurses scream at you to do more. I ran around three pods, like crazy, trying to do stuff that was technically outside a NA scope of practice because I was a "Student assistant". When I would ask for RN assistance (because I was tech, right?) I got crappy and snarky replies. I left after 4 months of that crap, and did not sign up for many shifts the last month or so because the whole enviroment there was just BAD. I felt liable and I was not going to work on THEIR licenses. An ICU that was supposed to have three techs, they would send the other two to other areas and leave me to run like a chicken with my head cut off to do all three areas... and the nurses would get ticked that I wouldn't be doing everything for them (right down to their blood glucoses... many of which came due all at the same time. If I am not there, there is a good reason... do it yourself!). Oh, and I had to play "unit clerk" too... it was total BS. Night shift had to do the vent patient baths, total care, and most of the nurses refused to assist with that as well, so you didn't get any assistance turning total care patients with many lines (which I think is a total liability), and often they would sit there and read magazines and play on the computer... and of course, they would have some excuse as to why they could not assist.

There were so many reasons as to why they sooo abused their techs. I think that being an ICU nurse is very difficult and is a highly skilled position... when they went to work, they went to WORK. But I swear, some of them were really mean to their techs and they really abused them as well, not putting a hand in when they could have. Maybe it was just the culture of the unit at the time. It was a long time ago, and i have heard things have changed.

Then as a new grad, I worked on pediatrics. Total opposite. The nurses doing absolutely everything for their patients, and not asking for enough help from the techs. This often lead to the nurses being overwhelmed and often late to clock out, etc. The techs were lazy, mouthy, and were entitled as well... not all of them, we had two that were WONDERFUL, but we had some that were just OBNOXIOUS. And of course, the worst one would TRAIN the new ones and she would say "I make the nurses do X X and X and if they ask me to do it I tell them to do it themselves" (can you see my jaw dropping?!). General stuff like that, and not wanting to go and get up off the internet. And getting upset if you're like... I just came out of XX room, he is vomiting, I need to get some medication for him, can you take him this emesis basin? Totally out of line. Different hospital too.

The whole role thing between the CNA and licensed staff is a hard and blurred line in some places when it comes to providing direct care. I try to take the whole "we are a team" and we work together approach. When I worked oncology and pallative care, generally, everyone got along together GREAT and we had no problems... we had clearly defined roles, knew what we were to do during a shift, but we all worked like we were equals and a team (if that makes sense). Where I see problems is where people try to shove responsibilities off on one another and try to take advantage of each other... and thats when the heartache starts!! No one should be overworked while another person sits on their booty and reads magazines all day... if you don't get a break, I don't get a break... if you don't get lunch, I don't get lunch. We work as a team!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 21, 2008

I don't think it is fair for techs to be treated in this manner either.
I worked in an ICU when I was in school for a short while... same senario. Run your butt off for 12 hours while the nurses scream at you to do more. I ran around three pods, like crazy, trying to do stuff that was technically outside a NA scope of practice because I was a "Student assistant". When I would ask for RN assistance (because I was tech, right?) I got crappy and snarky replies. I left after 4 months of that crap, and did not sign up for many shifts the last month or so because the whole enviroment there was just BAD. I felt liable and I was not going to work on THEIR licenses. An ICU that was supposed to have three techs, they would send the other two to other areas and leave me to run like a chicken with my head cut off to do all three areas... and the nurses would get ticked that I wouldn't be doing everything for them (right down to their blood glucoses... many of which came due all at the same time. If I am not there, there is a good reason... do it yourself!). Oh, and I had to play "unit clerk" too... it was total BS. Night shift had to do the vent patient baths, total care, and most of the nurses refused to assist with that as well, so you didn't get any assistance turning total care patients with many lines (which I think is a total liability), and often they would sit there and read magazines and play on the computer... and of course, they would have some excuse as to why they could not assist.
There were so many reasons as to why they sooo abused their techs. I think that being an ICU nurse is very difficult and is a highly skilled position... when they went to work, they went to WORK. But I swear, some of them were really mean to their techs and they really abused them as well, not putting a hand in when they could have. Maybe it was just the culture of the unit at the time. It was a long time ago, and i have heard things have changed.
Then as a new grad, I worked on pediatrics. Total opposite. The nurses doing absolutely everything for their patients, and not asking for enough help from the techs. This often lead to the nurses being overwhelmed and often late to clock out, etc. The techs were lazy, mouthy, and were entitled as well... not all of them, we had two that were WONDERFUL, but we had some that were just OBNOXIOUS. And of course, the worst one would TRAIN the new ones and she would say "I make the nurses do X X and X and if they ask me to do it I tell them to do it themselves" (can you see my jaw dropping?!). General stuff like that, and not wanting to go and get up off the internet. And getting upset if you're like... I just came out of XX room, he is vomiting, I need to get some medication for him, can you take him this emesis basin? Totally out of line. Different hospital too.
The whole role thing between the CNA and licensed staff is a hard and blurred line. I try to take the whole "we are a team" and we work together approach. When I worked oncology and pallative care, generally, everyone got along together GREAT and we had no problems... we had clearly defined roles, knew what we were to do during a shift, but we all worked like we were equals and a team (if that makes sense). Where I see problems is where people try to shove responsibilities off on one another and try to take advantage of each other... and thats when the heartache starts!! No one should be overworked while another person sits on their booty and reads magazines all day... if you don't get a break, I don't get aa break... if you don't get lunch, I don't get lunch. We work as a team!

Some of the powerful examples you shared is what I meant when I said that being on the other side of the fence is not always easier; nurses have experienced very snarky assistants who refuse to to their jobs, have reported them to the high heaven and nothing has been done, either. This makes being a nurse even more stressful at times, because not only are you responsible for yourself, but also legally responsible for those you delegate to. There are times where I saw the kindest nurses I know try and be fair to CNAs to be smashed in the face. Not a pretty place to be when you really care about doing the best you can towards the patients. Please note that I am not generalizing CNAs or licensed nurses.

It makes no sense to me to watch one person kill themselves with patient care, being treated like a second class citizen while another is reading a magazine or surfing the net. I understand just what you mean about working as equals-you are speaking of equality in dignity, value and contribution to the ebb and flow of the unit.

theophania_jean · Aug 21, 2008

It's easy to become overwhelmed, and the constant feeling of not fully completely all of duties can be very distressing and can become a very negative view on your work.

- You are human, .. do things at your own pace. Nursing care is a 24hour care - if you dont' complete your duties.. someone else will pick up where you left off.

It's more important you keep your sanity.. if you don't, then your crippling yourself from performing optimal care.

- Nurses need to remember this is a 'teamwork' occupation. Though you can't stop ******** nurses.. but your there to satisfy the patients outcome.. not to satisfy your co-workers needs. - not everyone in the workplace pulls their own weight.. even if they did.. you'd still ahve the overworked/underpaid problem.

Stress less people.

neatnurse30 · Aug 21, 2008

I'm an RN and wished I was CNA working in a hospital before I decided on nursing. I had no idea how stressful it would be. When I look at our CNAs, a lot of them just sit most of the shift, have zero responsibility and I wish I could be just CNA. There are CNAs who said to me they would never be RNs and want to go into other fields like respiratory, xray tech or lab. You have to decide for yourself. I know that given information and experience with nursing I have now, I would not encourage anybody to go to nursing school. But everybody is different, and one must decide for themselves. I work per diem, and like the flexibility of it, I can come for 4 hrs or 8, or 12hrs. I couldn't do it full time anymore. In the meantime I'm doing research trying to find out, what else is out there besides the hospital.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2008

To be blunt, I definitely experienced less stress when I was an aide many moons ago. Although it was physically difficult, I did not deal with the mental, social, or political intricacies of floor nursing. Also, the beautiful thing about being a CNA is that families and attorneys typically do not target you in lawsuits because your pockets normally aren't deep enough to be worth the pursuit.

When the fecal matter hits the fan, the people who are higher on the licensure food chain usually get splattered.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2008

I agree with the notion that being a CNA is hard. Often it's thankless..and you have NUMEROUS things you want to do for patients, but just not enough hands for what you want vs. what you can do. You have to do lists miles long, blood sugars, routine stuff, tests, IVs, med requests, cleaning, feeding, walking, etc.....it's rough.

BUT do not go into getting your RN believing that those letter make you ANY different from the person you were as a CNA. I still get a large assignment(6-8 pts) with meds, dressings, txs, etc. You have to WANT to care for people and really know them. You'll have patients who run you ragged, who don't get it, who you wish would just understand the plan. You'll have patients who you don't want to get better because you enjoy their company so much.

You can NEVER be above helping someone to the bathroom, getting water, finding out information, talking to families(sometimes the most frustrating), and so forth. I always ASK the aides if they need help, or if they CAN do something for me. If it's something I can do for a patient myself(unless I'm in the middle of med pass), I will.

It's a personal decision. I always say if McDonalds and the hospital paid the same, I'd still work at the hospital. Do what makes your heart happy, not your head. But you will still work.