hate CNA = hate nursing?

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2014

Nurses do everything CNAs do, and then all the jobs CNAs can't do, like assess, administer meds, injections, etc.. Yes, the CNAs do the majority of the 'dirty' work, as a nurse it's still your responsibility to make sure it gets done, so if your CNA has disappeared (happens a lot where I work) you'll be changing briefs and changing beds. I don't think your not liking your job as a CNA necessarily means you'll be a bad nurse.. just realize that being a nurse wont exempt you from the CNA duties.

When I was in nursing school, I HATED clinicals. The anxiety of going to a clinical was nearly unbearable. I can say without a doubt I enjoy being a nurse now a lot more than I enjoyed the clinical experience.. perhaps working in the field will be a better experience than your clinical was?

littlemznurse · Jun 21, 2014

I'm pretty sure that no loves changing briefs and giving baths, but it comes with the territory. I started out as a cna and I liked that job for the most part. It doesn't necessarily mean that you won't like nursing, but depending on where you work you will still have to cna tasks such as help a patient to the bathroom or helping give a bath. There are times when you won't have a cna and you will have to do these things yourself (depending on where you work). So like it or not just be prepared that comes with the job.

RunBabyRN · Jun 21, 2014

There are a lot of areas of nursing where you won't encounter nearly as much of that sort of stuff. SNFs are where you'll really see it most. Nothing says you have to be a SNF nurse.

You'll still need to do SOME of those sorts of things as a nurse, and especially in nursing school, but there is so much more to being a nurse that really, the little bit of time you spend on those tasks isn't that bad. Where I'm headed (just got licensed), there are no CNAs, so we, as RNs, are responsible for 100% of care. Even on floors where there are CNAs, it would be WAY too much work for the ONE CNA to do all ADLs for every single patient. Nurses take on those duties.

I have yet to see someone post, "I want to be a nurse so that I can wipe stools off of patients!" I have seen several postings, however, stating that people don't like this. I don't think a single person would say that this is their favorite part of the job. But it's such a small part of the job. Now, if you can't get past that, then yes, it's hard to be a nurse, but again, there are many areas of nursing where you just don't see a ton of that, if any. Not liking those duties does not mean you will be a "bad" nurse, or that you'll hate nursing.

I think the fact that you like health care in general and helping people puts you on the right track to be a nurse. Also, remember how performing those ADLs affects your patient. When you feel clean and cared for, it makes a big difference in how you feel about yourself and the nurse. Remember that as a CNA, you really do still impact these people's lives.

pre-unsure · Jun 21, 2014

Thanks so much everyone! This really helped. I guess I'll just have to gain more experience & more skills before I can really say if nursing for me. Hopefully the end goal (helping other people) will over-rule doing the not-so-lovable ADLs.

Plus, I'm not so interested in working in geriatrics, so I shouldn't put a label on all specialties. Although I love talking to geriatric residents (they're so sweet & entertaining!) I think I'd rather work in peds or labor & delivery.

Thanks again.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2014

I agree with RunBabyRun. I don't think anyone says I love cleaning up poop. But that is just one aspect of what nurses do. They do so much more. Some places will have CNAs to help, others won't. But just so you know at some point no matter where you work, vomit and other bodily fluid and functions will have to be cleaned and you will have to do it.

I was admitted to the hospital in 2009 and I was very ill. I had a really bad seizure the week before hurting my head and neck. I managed to get a blood clot in my carotid artery and it broke of and went to my lungs and I got a PE. To top it all off, I had a very bad case of pneumonia. I was quite honestly close to death. Not to give too much TMI but once I was admitted and they started me on my IV and meds I lost control of my bowels. I was so completely embarrassed not thinking that in a million years that would happen to me. I started crying and the nurses were so wonderful in making me feel comfortable. I honestly think that is half of being a nurse. Being compassionate and understanding to patients who you see at their worst. I know those nurses did not want to clean that up but their kindness and the fact that it was no big deal made me feel a hundred times better. I only hope I can convey half of the kindness and understanding that those nurses showed me in my 3 month stay at the hospital. And yes, I was there for three months. I was very, very sick.

Livetoride · Jun 23, 2014

Not liking every duty of your job is understandable and I have yet to see someone who said they enjoyed cleaning poop lol.

It's not an overall indicator of your performance as a nurse. You go into nursing because you have the passion and drive for it. Trust me, there's going to be points where you are going to doubt yourself in school and on the job. It is going to be normal. Just stay on top of your classes and you'll do fine.

I want to add that in my original field of Medical Billing and Coding, if you do get a nursing degree and decide that the patient care side is not what you really wanted, try that. Most employers I've contacted about jobs usually preferred a nurse to do coding.