help

I don't really have any advice for you but I don't like CNA work either. I completed my class in July and have worked at two places since August. I have heard that being a CNA at a hospital is very different from LTC facilities. Maybe try applying there.

I think that practically EVERYONE who starts out as a CNA goes through this. What I really can't tell from your post is whether you're just not ready for this kind of thing yet, or if it simply is not for you at all. Because many of the same stresses are experienced by CNA's as well as nurses, being a CNA can in fact prepare you for a nursing career. I would speak to your Director of Nursing and have a very frank talk about all this before you decide to throw in the towel forever on what could be a very rewarding career. Don't make any final decisions just yet. I suggest you get more input first.

I was even thinking about going into private care; maybe one on one will not seem as pressuring. I'm just not sure what to get into. Time will tell I guess.

I was even thinking about going into private care; maybe one on one will not seem as pressuring. I'm just not sure what to get into. Time will tell I guess.

The environment of private care is definitely less pressurized than working in a LTC facility. That might be a good direction to go into for a while to give you another perspective on being a CNA.

This is to interceptinglight, I agree with you, and I just have been having almost a battle with myself the last two weeks on whether this is for me or not. I mean I was happy to have the chance to work with no experience, but I just am jeopardizing school with just starting college, already failed a few classes. Just do not wanna fall behind with schooling because of the job. The job has been consuming my mind with trying to focus on what I had to do at my job, and making me really stressed and upset that I just forgot about school.

I think I'm going to look into private care, I think it will give me a chance to explore the options of caregiving as well.

I think I'm going to look into private care, I think it will give me a chance to explore the options of caregiving as well.

That sounds like a very smart thing to do. Personally, I don't know how I could possibly handle going to school and working in a LTC facility while taking care of my large family at the same time. One of my biggest problems when I started out, and this is still my first job working in a well-respected nursing home in a small town....is that I LOVED the work, and I LOVED all the residents I took care of.......but the workload was horrendous. I'd sweat my butt off and work harder than I've ever done in my life, hour after hour, and at the end of the shift I'd realize how many things I still didn't even get to before the next shift came on. The next night might be a little bit better.....but because of the back-breaking pace I was expected to keep up with, I often felt forced to sacrifice quality for quantity which is something I can't stand doing. Even doing the best I could possibly do was not enough. Another discouragement was the pay. I started out just above minimum wage until I got certified, then my raise was not $2.50 - $3.00 more as the DON had promised, but just $2.00 more. If it weren't for some unearned income I receive from social security, I'd be up 'crap creek', as this is the worst compensation I've earned in over 25 years. Now I work in my facility's Alzheimer's/dementia unit and it's been a welcome change. Less people to take care of, more partnership with the other aide on duty.....thus more time to give the good quality care I want to give in an atmosphere that is not a pressure cooker.

I think the reason you are conflicted is because you just don't want to give up yet, but you need more time to decide where you want to be and the pressure and stress of working in a LTC can be so hard to deal with, especially when you're new to this field. Trying to go to school at this time may be just too much until you're more experienced and working in a situation that is more comfortable. It sounds like you're beginning to make good decisions about what to do next. You'll make a success of yourself, I'll just bet !!! :)

Thank you so much for that. I feel the same. I work so hard, and work til the last hour, I try to do everything right and still fall behind with things. I just feel as if I'm not ready for this type of work yet. I really need to do good with school too. I mean one day I may come back, but right now there is too much on my plate. It is a rewarding job, but I have drained myself out mentally and physically, I just need to step back and do what I have to do. But thank you so much for you time and advice!