Help me see the positive!!! Pls

[FutureNurse23]

I'm fairly a new grad CNA 24yrs old. And as we know sometimes being new in this field we move around to different jobs early. Well that was my situation. I had a job in where I worked LTC and was making 350.00 a week. I had worked 7a-7p Sat and Sunday and also had to float tuesdays 3-11 to keep my medical/dental. I didnt get any pto or 401k at this job. It felt like I had 3 days of being sore before I felt alive again. Also, the nurses were very backstabbing and sneaky. It also was alot of gossip among the staff. And to me none of the nurses seemed to love their job. This is what made me think do I really want to be a nurse? So I started doubting nursing. Even though I loved what I had accomplished being a CNA. I seen the growth in my skills.

Later, 3 months down the road. I thought I had found my dream job in another field. It was something that I wanted to do for such a long time. It was a chance to travel the world. The pay was not so good and I was taking a paycut but it was easier work. Even though it consumed all my life and I lived out a suitcase. Well months later that ended not to be all so great and I started doubting the experience as well. I did recall missing my residents and wondering if they was okay. I said now I know why I want to be a nurse. Its for the residents! Even when you see a crappy nurse and low pay. Its all for the residents.I shortly went to see them. And I could see in their eyes how much they missed me. I almost didnt want to leave them. I heard from some of them. Make sure you come back and visit. It really touched my heart.

Now, I'm about to start a new journey as being a CNA. I got a job recently with not the best pay but I'm thinking this will be maybe a nicer start into being a CNA. I was offered a position 7-3pm 4 days on 2 days off for 8.25/hr with medical/dental PTO and 401k. I was told my pay was not as much because I didnt have a year experience. I would of felt better with 8.50 but hey I needed a job. Now I will be making about 280.00 less than I made before as a CNA. I was told if I get on the 2nd shift down the road. I could make 10.25/hr. I guess I should stick in there and stay postive to see a better outlook. I also think about working a 2nd job partime for awhile. So I ask do you all think I made a better move for less money? And how did you all make it as a new grad cna with low pay? What kept you all positive the first year?

Thanks all for listening and comments are helpful!

[rancelumsden]

It is oft discussed on this board. There is a huge difference, apparently shared by many, between LTC and hospital.

I had good experience with the nursing staff in the hospital. We worked directly with them, day-to-day. We were often assigned to a couple of nurses so that we worked that shift exclusively with their patients (of course, the CNAs helped each other out so it wasn't 100% exclusive).

In LTC, I rarely even saw the nurse -- the one nurse on the staff during the shift. You counted on your coworkers doing their job and helping one another more so than in the hospital, in my experience.

As you stated, the positive is the resident, or patient. You have to feel you made a difference regardless of the attitudes around you. It's been posted a great deal that you have to feel good about yourself and that you can go home with your head up knowing you truly worked your shift.

But yes, it's difficult because you have to make a living and have some benes too.