Should I head for the hills???

[LostLilOne]

Sorry to troll but I don't seem to be getting any help or responses in the Career section so I am going to try here now!! Original post as follows:

So I have always said "one day I'll become a nurse" and now my chance is here, but my opinion of nursing has changed 180 degrees. Somebody please help me decide a path to choose and actually stick with. Here is the dealio:

I've completed a CNA program so that it would look better on my RN program applications; however always said I WILL NEVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR be a CNA. Well guess what I am? I started my disgusting sickening CNA job not long ago and I THINK IT'S TIME FOR ME TO QUIT. I can't stand the ****, ****, puss, rank smell, fat nasty lazy cry babies, disgusting sores with flakey chunky skin picked off all over the bedding, etc, etc!!!!!

Only problem is the place I work for wants to give me a free ride in the RN program. WHAT THE HECK DO I DO? I ABSOLUTELY HATE being a CNA. It is disgusting and even seeing what the RN's do in the hospital setting has completely turned me off of becoming an RN. PAPERWORK PAPERWORK PAPERWORK and yucky icky things like puss-filled sores and putting foley's up a stinky yoohoo and bloody dressing changes? G-R-O-S-S!!!!!! Some of my RN friends are trying to convince me to stay and possibly transfer to the lab or ekg or something so that I can still be employed by this place and do the 2 year RN program. They also said even if I don't like the "patient care" or "bedside nursing" aspect of being an RN that I should still enter the RN program and stick it out because there are sooooo many opportunities in nursing. But WHAT!!?!????? And please don't say home health because that is still yucky sick bloody poopy people that I will have to care for. Right?

So what other opportunities (if any) would really be readily available to me? What about the nurses who are hired to educate patients and families, usually in their homes, on equipment, etc. to be used? What is that called?

Is it worth it to do an RN program if I really don't even want to be an actual hospital or LTC or HH RN ultimately? (but something that possibly requires a BSN) or will I need MANY years bedside nursing experience to get any of these "other" jobs anyway?

Should I try rad-tech or??????something else??????

I am so lost and feel I am wasting my time and my life while I try things out and change my mind and decide and research. Please help any input would be greatly appreciated. :redpinkhe

[edwinastrange]

Sounds to me like you need to do a complete career change! Dont think nursing is for you.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

"puss, rank smell, fat nasty lazy cry babies, disgusting sores with flakey chunky skin picked off all over the bedding, etc, etc!!!!! ..... yucky icky things like puss-filled sores and putting foley's up a stinky yoohoo and bloody dressing changes? G-R-O-S-S!!!!!! "

You would be foolish to spend any time or money pursuing anything in the health field. I feel sorry for your current patients.....you may one day be in their position and need some assistance with your bodily functions.

[LostLilOne]

No need to feel sorry for any of my patients. I give care where care is needed. AND do it with a smiling face! No one of my patients has ever been lacking or felt they were a nuisance or less than. And if I am to the point where I am pooping myself or a diaper yet still a/o enough to tell the CNA "YOU NEED TO WIPE ME" then god please take me out of my misery.

I don't need negative comments, I simply asked for advice and for someone to help me decide a better path. Thought I could come here and be honest about the situation I am in.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

p.s. I can totally understand why you're not getting any responses or support in the Career section.

[chuchie, ADN, BSN, MSN, LPN, APRN, NP]

Where did you get the idea that RNs don't deal with any of the "gross" stuff?

There are many tech programs out there ie surgical tech, radiology tech, etc. that may be more suitable for you if you want to stay in healthcare. I think that you may want to think about the reasons you wanted to become an RN in the first place and see what other options are out there that have those same positive qualities without the body fluids. Maybe your dream job is in a completely different field altogether and I would suggest meeting with a college counselor that will help guide you to a career path that is right for you.

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

Head for the hills.

Assuming that your problem is just a weak stomach, maybe physical therapy, occupational therapy, or yes, even radiation technology (like you suggested) would be a better option. PT and OT will involve at least a 4 year program.

[tatara]

you made me smile. That's reality. Stop and choose another course where your accumulated units can be credited. you can become a respiratory therapist, dental technologist, nutritionist, psychologist; or you can undergo different trainings where you can become special education teacher, acupuncturist, medical/product representative, etc. Try to challenge yourself. Nothing is easy if your heart is not into it. Good luck

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

in order to become a nurse educator, nurse case manager, or other type of nurse that does not do direct patient care, you have to pay your dues as a bedside nurse first.... which also means making it through nursing school, and believe me in nursing school you are responsible for total care of your assigned patients, no ifs ands or buts about it.

i would say that it sounds like nursing may not be for you.

radiology is a very promising field.... ultrasound, CT tech, etc... however you still may have patients who are "gross", esp if you are working in a hospital setting--you may have to respond to a trauma, for instance, where lots of blood is involved, you may get a patient from the ICU who poos on your table, or you may just have whiny patients anyways.

i wish you good luck.

your post really did make me smile.

[bamadebRN]

I think you should stay far away from anything that has to do with patient care, including teaching. Maybe hospital administration would be a better fit for you.

[texasbsn]

Hey LostLilone I am glad you are honest about your feelings as nursing is not for everyone.I have been a nurse a year.It has been a hard year .But I do like nursing so okay.However if you do not like CNA work it is very douptful you will like nursing.Nirsing school is a hundred times harder than a CNA program.I think if you are looking for a career in healthcare OT would be a good fit maybe.O r maybe teaching at the college level.I hope people will not continue to flame you for being honest.

Good luck to you and God Bless

[NotFlo]

Please head for the hills, and get out of nursing.