Hate being a CNA; will I hate nursing?

MattiesMama · Mar 28, 2010

Yup ... and where did you get the idea that brushing hair and changing sheets is not "real" help?

That's a bit of a rush to judgment isn't it? :uhoh21:

I think maybe the OP's choice of words was a little insensitive but I understand where she's coming from. I've done the majority of my clinicals in nursing homes and I've often wrestled with those same feelings. It is disheartening to see people suffering and knowing that there is so little you can do to help them. I give so much credit to geriatric nurses-I think it's actually one of the hardest areas to work in simply because you know that there is little to no chance of them ever getting better. Just because someone doesn't feel compelled to work in that setting doesn't make them a "crappy nurse"

allnurses Guide · Mar 29, 2010

Thanks for all your replies. What I really hated was the hopelessness of it all--boring, repetitive work that had no hope of helping anyone. We did our clinicals at a LTC facility that was only DNR patients. Very few meds were given out; we were just waiting for them to die. We has three deaths in the six days I was there. I want to actually heal people, and that definitely wasn't doing it. I worked as a volunteer in a same-day surgery center for a year and loved it--people came in sick and went home a few hours later, virtually healed. It was instant gratification. Does that change your opinion of how I might like nursing at all?

It does help answer the question as you provided a little more information! As you have already noted, LTC with ALL DNR patients versus a same-day Surgery Center are like two things on opposite ends of the continuum, that's for sure!! If you loved same day surgery, it's not real surprising that you didn't like the LTC experience. I would caution you on one thing, though, and that is most of the time you won't see patients come in "sick" and leave your care "healed". You may not be assigned the same patients for more than one day, they transfer to different units when they get sicker (ICU) or better (rehab centers) OR Nursing may end up being your passion, though! Hang in there, you do need to learn how to provide personal care to patients and change linens. No, you don't need to do that all day every day!

Maybe the best question would be, do you have to like all specialties of nursing to be a good nurse? The answer to that is no!. If you like a quick, effective "instant gratification" type of job more than a hospice or LTC job does that make you any better or any worse than your colleagues who do like that type of work? Again, no!! All of us are different, and the variety of jobs within nursing is one of it's strongest postitive attributes! Best of luck to you! :nurse:

annacnatorn · Mar 29, 2010

Ive been a CNA for 16 years, took a 5 year break to work in public schools at a paper pusher (medical knowledge needed of course) went back to work in Home health then to Hospice. I was/am in Hospice as a CNA and I love it! as you can see I am also on the path to obtain my RN. Being a CNA is more than you described. When you are in the Home health / Hospice industry, it is a little easier, but yet challenging. You have to love what you do at any level because Nursing is not just about Meds, its about PATIENT CARE. You have to think, you have to know. You have to be. I have shadowed many RN's and have learned a lot, what kind of Nurse not to be and what kind of Nurse to be. Its not about the money, its about the duties that you have. Hospice Nursing is more challenging. You are required to go above and beyond, taking direction from many. If you have good preceptors, youll love it. Think, that person you are caring for is someones, Mom, Dad, G'ma, G'pa, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister, Niece, Nephew, Husband, Wife. They just might be one of your family members. You have to provide the type of care to them as you would expect for yourself or one of your loved ones. Nursing is providing the appropriate TLC at the right time. As a Hospice CNA, you are frequently there at the time of passing and sometimes have to be the entire team until they arrive..

LETRN · Mar 29, 2010

I graduate in May with my BSN and have been a PCA (CNA) for almost 3 years. And I also hate it :lol2:

I love the patient interaction aspect, but I don't feel challenged whatsoever. I am so excited to start my nursing career and realize that I'll be doing CNA-ish tasks, but I will have the critical thinking and problem solving aspect as well.

Soyala23 · Mar 30, 2010

I am probably like many people who are trying to get into nursing school and is working as a CNA to gain experience. I just became certified last summer and began working in an assisted living facility which is different than a nursing home. I am not sure, but it sounds like most of your true CNA experience only came through clinicals. I remember when I was doing clinicals at a LTC facility, we were limited as to what we could do because we were only just students learning. I felt like I learned a lot because not everyone can master the art of patient care and patient interaction right off the bat. It is real work. I'm now appreciative of what my mom, whose been a CNA for about 15 years, has done over the years. The key for you might be to try to get work as a CNA in an area or facility that you are interested in. When you start to work on a regular basis you will discover it's the little things, stuff we take for granted everyday, that make the biggest difference and is the most meaningful in someone's life. This is especially true when someone is dying. You are there to give them dignity while he or she is dying. Even though you may not realize it, but that person who is experiencing death does appreciate what you're doing.

I am sure will make a great nurse. Everyone just has to find their niche.

LuckyinKY · Apr 2, 2010

I am completing my CNA class now that is required prior to admission to my school's ADN program. My desire is to go into pediatrics, so I really thought I would dislike the CNA class and clinicals. I lucked out and have had the most amazing instructor who really was inspiring. I had my first day of clinicals today in a LTC facility and expected the worst. I was really depressed after seeing how little direct care the residents receive and the condition some of them were in, but it also felt wonderful to be able to make at least one person's day a little better. My assigned resident was so kind and really seemed to appreciate the extra attention.

I was worried that these clinicals would scare me away from being a nurse, but so far they have made me feel more confident in my decision to pursue nursing.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 2, 2010

I can actually see her initial choice of words before going into nursing school because only now do I see that CNAs are extremely important to the overall care of a patient. Before I got into school, I didn't understand that bathing is important to infection control, comfort, skin integrity, and a chance to maintain ROM; changing sheets and positioning is important to reducing/healing decubiti (and in some cases, the rolling and moving helps respiratory status); oral care is important to infection control, mucosal integrity, and comfort. I thought it was just staying clean!

I know that people who haven't started their training will often come in here and word things that seem offensive, but it's just a temporary lack of understanding. The general public and pre-req students who don't have a background in patient-focused healthcare just see the actions but not the meaning behind it. How many times have nurses here complained that the general public (and even some family members) don't understand the work that RNs do? Why jump all over her for what we know is true about perception of CNA and nursing roles?

To the OP: Once you get into clinicals (even in your LTC rotation), I think you'll see that the CNA role and the CNAs themselves are awesome! In my experience, they've helped me hone my basic skills and taught me new ones, given me tips and tricks, and just generally made the experience brighter.

eLaine321 · Apr 2, 2010

mann.. brushing hair.. changing sheets.. that's all? You talk like there is no person attached to the hair, or occupYing the bed. Just put Yourself in their shoes. it's all about helping people. if You don't like that maYbe You shouldn't be a nurse.

Fngrpntsnotasin · Apr 2, 2010

I am going to go ahead and apologize for being a little harsh with my response to the OP. But my feeling is that not only is assistance with ADLs very important, but being there for that resident or patient. Going the extra mile with them. I do work in LTC and often do personal care for residents because our CNAs are busy. Although I was a CNA for years, I find that the CNA training nursing students get is so very important. Slow down OP, look at the people you care for as PEOPLE. Take the time to get to know them, if they are A&O, take the time to be kind if they are not. Remember these are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, husbands and wives. They DESERVE every courtesy that we ourselves expect from our own lives. There are some day at work when I see which CNAs are coming in and do a happy dance because they go that extra mile, and there are some days that my heart aches because I know that while the residents are being taken care of physically, that they will not experience that extra kindness...Does anyone see what I'm saying? I am not trying to be harsh to anyone...But I personally feel that you have to love every single second...

Intern67 · Apr 3, 2010

I want to provide medical care and real help, not just watch old people die slowly.

I have provided more medical care and real help in an hour of work as a CNA than I have seen some nurses do in a month - hell maybe a year.

I would advise you do some reflecting on what a CNA does and what it means to the patients a CNA cares for.

andrewprincesspeach · Apr 4, 2010

I tried very hard to balance out my schedule. I would take classes (Nursing school) on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Friday all day. And then I would work Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Giving me Saturday to relax +study. I found it quite difficult. Because after work i am usually tired and want to sleep. The school days im not AS tired...so i can usually get some studying and MAYBE sometimes relax with a cold beer.

But yeah working Full time is tough. I would recommend working part time for nursing school. If it is at all possible.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 4, 2010

LTC CNA work is not for everyone, sometimes CNA work when you are wanting to be a nurse and are around nurses can seem like you aren't doing "medical related stuff" and if that is what your goal is then it can be hard. Hospital CNA work is a lot different and involves a lot more. From the sounds of the OP they were in a LTC setting.

Maybe they weren't the most tactful with their wording, but they don't deserve to be ridiculed and imply they shouldn't be a nurse or wouldn't make a good nurse. :rolleyes:

Working in the LTC facility basically as a CNA my first semester, I never heard the aides saying how much they love the tasks they have to do. Heard many say they love the patients, but even many that said it was such a disheartening situation and they were working their because it was a required class for school or because the facility was willing to pay for half of their schooling after they worked their for 6 months but that they really were trying to get out of it and into the hospital.

If LTC work was for everyone their wouldn't be such a high turnover rate. I would rather work in our county jail then the nursing home. Nothing at all to do with the actual patients.