Everyone wants me to take Nursing?

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Aug 14, 2016

If you hate being a CNA, you're going to loathe nursing. A nurse is a CNA with a twist...that adds a lot of oomph, and produces a bang more times than not. If you can't produce that twist, oomph, and bang every single shift, then you have not satisfied your patient, but have contributed to the plummeting patient satisfaction scores.

Go for the Dietary Aide position. While you're at it, with those rates, pick me up an application. Let me just grab a few things to toss in a bag and I'm on my way! Canada, you say? Got it.

PoppyLizz · Aug 14, 2016

The LPN here make 23 an hour in most LTC.And in retirement homes they only make $20 bucks an hour.I'm not sure how much the RN make.One of my colleagues thinks Dietary aide is demeaning because you're serving food /doing dishes and help preparing meals.I disagreed with her because I don't want to go into Nursing just for the image and to look cool.I have to like what I'm doing. .

emmy27 · Aug 14, 2016

I agree that you should like what you're doing, and that nursing, whether LPN or RN, requires a level of drive and interest that it doesn't sound like you have.

That said, you should think carefully about what you do what, and consider that low-skill jobs, ESPECIALLY low-skill jobs that pay relatively well, are high-risk because economic pressures tend to push employers to eliminate or lower the costs of those jobs over time. If literally anyone off the street could do your job with a bit of on-the-job training, there is always risk that they will do just that as you become more experienced- replace you with someone new and cheaper. Or the job will become automated in some parts and your role will be eliminated. Witness the many people who once held relatively comfortable jobs in manufacturing that required relatively little formal education, who have been replaced by automation or outsourcing, and who can't find equivalent incomes in other fields because they don't have the training to do other things.

Every level of education, training, and certification you need to do a particular job is a layer of insulation against these pressures. The harder it is to replace or eliminate you in a job, the safer it is. That's why looking for the highest paying "easy" job you can get is not always a wise long-term plan.

SnowShoeRN · Aug 14, 2016

Getting into a profession mostly for the money is not the best way to start a career, especially when it comes to nursing. If you don't want to be a nurse, then don't be a nurse. It takes a lot to become a RN and once you're there, it takes even more to stick to it. If you think that being a dietary aide is a good fit for you then that's great. Who cares what your co-worker thinks? The "demeaning" positions (and I really think that only people who think they are better than everyone else consider them demeaning) are important too. Not everyone realizes that we need food service staff and cleaning staff just as much as medical professionals in order to make a hospital run smoothly.

Best of luck.

PoppyLizz · Aug 14, 2016

I agree that you should like what you're doing, and that nursing, whether LPN or RN, requires a level of drive and interest that it doesn't sound like you have.
That said, you should think carefully about what you do what, and consider that low-skill jobs, ESPECIALLY low-skill jobs that pay relatively well, are high-risk because economic pressures tend to push employers to eliminate or lower the costs of those jobs over time. If literally anyone off the street could do your job with a bit of on-the-job training, there is always risk that they will do just that as you become more experienced- replace you with someone new and cheaper. Or the job will become automated in some parts and your role will be eliminated. Witness the many people who once held relatively comfortable jobs in manufacturing that required relatively little formal education, who have been replaced by automation or outsourcing, and who can't find equivalent incomes in other fields because they don't have the training to do other things.
Every level of education, training, and certification you need to do a particular job is a layer of insulation against these pressures. The harder it is to replace or eliminate you in a job, the safer it is. That's why looking for the highest paying "easy" job you can get is not always a wise long-term plan.

I've thought about the security issue .I know a dietary aide who is going back to school to be LPN .I asked her if she doesn't like working in the kitchen and she said she does but with Nursing you'll always have a job hence why she's studying Nursing

morgieb · Aug 14, 2016

I'm CNA and hate it so I decided to do Dietary Aide instead .However, some of my colleges are always saying ,you should do Nursing, its better. The thing is, I don't think I will like Nursing .And with dietary aide you make the same as CNA were I live which is $20 an hour and you won't be doing any grunt work. The nurses make $23 an hour which isn't that much difference from CNA and Dietary Aide.And some LTC that are owned by the government I could make up to 23 an hour as dietary aide which is decent salary without having all that responsibility on my shoulders. Even one of the house keepers was like"since you're already psw why don't be an RPN?What's so special about Nursing? Also what Nursing is really like?Is it an easy job?

Kind of surprising that you haven't experienced what nurses do as a CNA---Certified Nurse's Assistant right? You hate it......then honestly stick with your other ambitions.

At any rate it seems like you've answered your own question. Most people that become nurses have a burning desire to become one why else would anyone go through the many hoops and torturous challenges just to become one. It certainly is not the money or the long hours or the havock it can render on your body. You said everyone wants you to become a nurse as if it's an oh well just go do it commitment. I assure you it's not. Dietary aid sounds good. Go for it, because honestly it seems you have no idea and or clue what nursing entails nor a real desire.

GM2RN · Aug 15, 2016

I've thought about the security issue .I know a dietary aide who is going back to school to be LPN .I asked her if she doesn't like working in the kitchen and she said she does but with Nursing you'll always have a job hence why she's studying Nursing

But there are other options besides nursing if that's not what you want to do.

cleback · Aug 15, 2016

The wages boggle my mind. Heck, if I could have found a dietary job for $20/hr, I may not have chosen nursing either.

Seriously, though, you don't have to be a nurse. It sounds like you have a decent paying job now. If you decide to invest in an education, make it something you'll enjoy... at least somewhat. Have you considered registered dietician?

CanadianAbroad · Aug 15, 2016

The wages sound about right. An RPN would make about $23 per hour, depending on location and if they are private. I worked as an RPN in Ontario for years, and I can assure you the wages are correct. I do know that CNAs are paid very well in most facilities, and that it is mostly run by RPNs with one or two RNs on staff during as shift. I was in shock at how low the CNA wages are here in the US. RNs make WAY more than RPNs, so rest assure there American RNS that they are not underpaid! Canadian RNs make upwards of over $50 per hour depending on the facility and how long they have been working.

As for the OP, if you hate CNA work, you will hate being a nurse. Yes the CNAs do most of the hands on care in LTC, but a nurse will be expected to as well. As an RPN in LTC, I did all the meds and all the treatments...for up to 60 patients (depending on the facility). I did love my job and loved the interaction with the patients. If your heart is not in nursing, don't do it. You could make your way up to running the dietary section in LTC facilities. Do not make your life goals based on the wishes of others, as they do not have to live your life...you do!

RainbowHead · Aug 15, 2016

I'm unfamiliar with the career of a DA. But three things that come with a nursing education are growth, flexibility, and variety. (Notice I didn't mention salary)

Vtachy1 · Aug 16, 2016

NOOOO don't do it! If I had to do it over I would have picked something different. I am thankful for every job that I have had, every patient, every experience, but I hate the way healthcare is going and the way nurses are treated. I hate nursing.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Aug 17, 2016

I'm CNA and hate it so I decided to do Dietary Aide instead .However, some of my colleges are always saying ,you should do Nursing, its better. The thing is, I don't think I will like Nursing .And with dietary aide you make the same as CNA were I live which is $20 an hour and you won't be doing any grunt work. The nurses make $23 an hour which isn't that much difference from CNA and Dietary Aide.And some LTC that are owned by the government I could make up to 23 an hour as dietary aide which is decent salary without having all that responsibility on my shoulders. Even one of the house keepers was like"since you're already psw why don't be an RPN?What's so special about Nursing? Also what Nursing is really like?Is it an easy job?

No, nursing is not an easy job. Don't go into it unless you really WANT to go into nursing. If you're satisfied with the pay and responsibility level of CNA or Dietary Aide, do that. Don't let anyone else make such important decisions for you.