Hopeless cna

[Cnala]

Hi everyone I'm new to this site, although I've been lurking for a while. I decided to finally join because I have a question that Ive just been battling with in my mind. I just thought that maybe somebody could share their opinions or thoughts and see if anybody feels the same way that I do. I've been doing some nursing prereqs now for a while and I just have a few more to go but it's still a long road ahead. I'm working as a CNA right now and I'm just starting to rethink nursing all together. I don't really know if it's because I don't want to do it anymore or if it's just because I'm so over being a CNA. I just wanted to see if anybody else has ever felt that way so any opinions of be helpful. Any CNAs out there that feel the same way I do? anybody else that's doing nursing school prerequisites and you're not a CNA I'd like to know what you're doing for your job at this time. Maybe a different job while I'm finishing up my classes would be helpful. Any opinions would be great thanks!

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

I felt this way occasionally when I was a CNA at a nursing home and still feel this way every now and then working in a hospital. But I'm not the type of person who can be satisfied in the same position for a long period of time, especially making so little money. I'm going to tough it out until I'm a nurse so I can continue to build upon communication skills and bedside manner.

[shirlj88]

I just finished all my prerequisites for nursing school and worked as a CNA during school. I HATED being a CNA. I disliked being treated like diaper patrol- like changing patients is the only task I was suited for....the work was exhausting, the pay laughable and hours never ending. I couldn't stand the way the other CNAs and nurses treated the patients so poorly.

Right out of school it's hard to find a position that's not in a LTC or SNF. Everyone said it was the environment I was working in. I still am trying to find a CNA position in a hospital while I wait for admission to an RN school. I have many friends who are RNs and MSNs who started out as CNAs as well and said the same thing. They hated it. It wasn't until they pushed through nursing school that they were able to find a department that suited them.

[guycna95, CNA]

Being CNA is a really difficult burning you out job. Ive worked doing it for 3 years. I would not recommend doing nursing because I loo at it as more of a licensed drug dealer with less 1 on 1 with your patients. Luckily I am payed well but it's not a job for all people. You have to have true compassion and love to help people. It's the most hardest ,stressful,annoying,most amazing,rewarding,fulfulling job I've EVER had. It is not a diaper changing job. If you do your job right it's a life changing job. Nursing is less fulfilling.

[PoppyLizz]

I've been a CNA for few years .I stayed this long to pay off my students loans.That said,it's honestly the hardest, underappreciated job that I have ever done in my life.I work in a Nursing home..I have to take care of so many people at a time that everything is rushed. We usually end up cutting a lot of corners just to get it all done. You're constantly racing against the clock, especially if you actually try to do your job right.

Some of the residents are really hard to deal with. They can be very picky about everything and purposely waste your time, and then you feel like a jerk for ignoring your other residents all that time. It can get frustrating. Then there are other residents who beat you up for trying to change them.This is not the job for me.I decided not to pursue Nursing because it's the same stress in my opinion. I don't see the difference expect having more liability and responsibility over your shoulders