Well, as some of you know I started a new CNA position in the same day surgery unit. Today was day two and I'm having some problems. I don't have the same responsibilities as before. I take vitals, prepare iv's (tubing and shots) change over rooms (clean and make beds), assist pts. to the restroom and repositioning, etc. I'm used to having a bigger role in my patients care. I miss telemetry, giving bed baths, changing briefs, and just basic patient care. I miss that feeling you get after you spend 45 minutes in a room bathing, dressing, changing dressings, and the patient is all clean and comfortable and all my care is up to date. I feel like anyone could do my job. I don't feel very important. However, this new job pays me 9.40 an hour ($1 more than my last job) and it offers medical and dental insurance. Maybe I just haven't really gotten to know the staff. I just miss being a part of patient care, charting (as crazy as that sounds...), and the excitement of taking care of critical patients. Does anyone have any advice?
I am sure you are much more important than you feel. Every thing the patient needs is important, it is just that what they need in this situation is different.
What you might be discovering is what types of interactions are your strong points, as an earlier poster suggested. Take this experience and your past experience and let it guide you as you make choices in what specialty you pursue as a RN. It is all part of the journey, and sounds like you need the pay and benefits now. And I am sure your surgical patients need you too!
Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.
Not running IV's, just priming the tubing is what I think Keely is referring to.
Keely... ditto what everyone else said. I imagine the pace is just different than what you were used to on tele. Plus, it was only your second day, right? Take your time to get adjusted to the new unit. You sound like an absolute gem that any nurse would be proud to have assisting with pre/post op patients. Sounds like you will do quite well as a nurse.
Sometimes it doesn't take much time to make an impact on your patients. I work as a home health aide and during my last shift I had to take a lady home from the rehab center where she was visiting her husband. All I did was help her carry a cake into the car, drive her 11 miles to her house, and bring the cake inside. While in the car (about a 20 minute trip) we chatted about her, her children, me, my career goals, where we grew up, why we like the facility where her husband is being rehabilitated, etc. At the end of the trip when I walked her to her door she thanked me for the wonderful company, said I was a very friendly person and would make a wonderful nurse.
So even though I only spent 20-30 minutes with her total and wasn't even doing "care", I still made a big impact on this woman that really made my day, and hers. If you take pride in your job and duties, it will show, and your patients will appreciate you and the work you do.
everyone that comes in contact with a patient affects their outcome.
as much as patients need high tech care and cutting edge medicine, what they want is to see someone that cares. they time that you spend with them means as much to them as anything else.
i hope that we have convinced you how important you, and the job that you do, are.
hi,
chadash
1,429 Posts
I am sure you are much more important than you feel. Every thing the patient needs is important, it is just that what they need in this situation is different.
What you might be discovering is what types of interactions are your strong points, as an earlier poster suggested. Take this experience and your past experience and let it guide you as you make choices in what specialty you pursue as a RN. It is all part of the journey, and sounds like you need the pay and benefits now. And I am sure your surgical patients need you too!
Sounds like you're tender hearted.