I hate being a CNA

[*K($$]

Hi everyone, I really need some advice. So I'm going into my junior year as a BSN student. This summer i decided to get a CNA job as a way to get some experience and build my resume. I got hired at a "rehab" facility. Turns out, all the patients are basically hospice despite me being told they were all rehab patients. I have a total of 5 orientation shifts, and i just worked one so far. I hated it. I went home and cried. I really don't like doing that kind of care and I felt so lost and helpless. Just thinking about working another shift puts me on the verge of a panic attack. I don't need the money, but I need the experience, but I'd much rather work in a doctor's office or something. Everyone is saying just tough it out until the end of august, but I don't know how I'm going to get through another shift, much less 3 months. Any advice?

[MendedHeart]

OP, plenty of nurses haven't been a CNA. You don't need to be a CNA to become a good nurse. Quit OP, you don't need that experience. Many people usually become a CNA at the place they want to work. If you don't want to work there, work some where else. Which state are you in? If you're in a state with a an overabundance of nurses than you can stick it out. If not, quit OP, you don't need the added stress.

Sorry but don't agree at all. In my state, being a CNA is required to even get into a Nursing school. Not to mention the skills one gets from being one are invaluable

[mindlor]

not all jobs have such heavy loads, rehab jobs and ltach jobs for CNAs are hard. Grt a job at a hospital on a med surge floor, you will get total care patients but you will also get walkie talkies to balance it all out........you just have the wrong job........

[mindofmidwifery, ADN]

OP, plenty of nurses haven't been a CNA. You don't need to be a CNA to become a good nurse. Quit OP, you don't need that experience. Many people usually become a CNA at the place they want to work. If you don't want to work there, work some where else. Which state are you in? If you're in a state with a an overabundance of nurses than you can stick it out. If not, quit OP, you don't need the added stress.

That's an awesome mindset to have, especially in nursing 👍

[cocobrotha]

Nursing is a science that we study through practice to find new and engaging ways to establish excellence within our profession. The difference that we make in the lives of our patients begins not at the time clock, nor the nurses station, and not on the med cart. The impact on our patients lives begin at the patients bedside.

When we as nursing students provide patients with simple needs such as bathing, eating, and elimination we gain their trust and confidence. Furthermore bedside manner is being able to listen to their heart, touching their emotions, and engaging their intelligence.

Spending time with your patient is the foundation for high quality assessments, correct care plan implementation, and it directs your patient teaching. You may think that what your doing is not advancing your learning but it is. While your there take a closer look act as a researcher.

Utilize this opportunity to engage your learning by setting goals. Make a list of complex questions that nurses around you can answer. Ask some of your peers what are your strengths and weakness, then formulate a action plan. Finally walk away each day learning something new about a developing skill you wish to master.

Ultimately arrive early, make rounds with the off going shift, get detailed information on your patients, gather your supplies for the day ahead of time, and find a partner for the day to assist you with providing care to your patients. After all that is done find your nurses and ask for tips on working with the assignment. They may have ways to get things done more efficiently. Relax your a professional leader and you can master this art form and have it down to a science.

(Please reply and offer feedback . . .)

[Missingyou, CNA]

Yes I've applied to a bunch of hospitals and just haven't heard back from them. Everyone wants someone with acute care experience but no one wants to take the chance on someone new.

I have never heard of a hospital or doctor's office hiring a CNA without AT LEAST 6 months of long term care experience.

You will learn SO much from working in LTC including time management.

The first few weeks of working in a LTC as a new CNA are THE most difficult. It's a difficult adjustment. It's fast paced....actually, it can be crazy most of the time but, you learn how to cope with the sudden changes...

You're going to have to make decisions on the fly.

Valuable stuff if you're going to be a nurse!!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

My advice is stick it out for the summer. Yes, it's a hard job. Nobody enjoys cleaning incontinent adults. It is however part of nursing and even if you never have to do this type of work again in your career the education you are getting from learning how to care for somebody that truly cannot care for themselves is priceless.

[Cakelady1]

My experience is minimal, as I have (so far) only "worked" as a CNA during my CNA clinical. So you might completely want to disregard what I have to say, but please read.

The first day was, to put it mildly, rough. I got in my car and cried. I felt terrible. Physically sore, emotionally drained. I questioned whether or not this was something that I would really enjoy doing and if I'd truly be able to handle being a nurse (CNA is a prerequisite for my nursing program.) I felt inadequate. I felt sad. I felt overwhelmed. It was a lot to take in.

I pretty much decided that I would have to trudge my way through the rest of clinicals, not knowing how I would handle it all.

The next day, I was put on a different floor for the Memory Care unit. I.loved.it. Loved it. My own dear grandfather died a few years ago from vascular dementia, and I saw him in every one of those residents. My heart just softened. It was almost instinctual, how much I knew how to relate to them and care for them. It completely transformed my thinking. I felt compassion and concern and genuinely wanted to be there. I felt confident yet moldable (if that makes any sense.)

I spent the rest of my time on the Memory Care unit. I didn't want to leave when it was over.

My point is - maybe this place just isn't the right fit for you. Give it some more time to be sure of that, and if it isn't - move on. I think I'm just echoing what everyone else has said. Carry on.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Working as s CNA in SNF settings was hard for me, also. I eventually found a job as a 1:1 CNA/ pt sitter. I enjoyed this work immensely. Like the other posters said, CNA skills do help you when you become a nurse.

Perhaps try finding a CNA/ sitter position. The pay wasn't great, but the experience was invaluable!!

[adnrnstudent, ASN, RN]

Tough work for the money or at least it was where I worked while I was in nursing school. I'd rather work in retail than be a career CNA. They should definitely be paid better.

[theStephmonster]

Hi there. I work as a CNA in LTC while I am in nursing school, and I have been at this same job for about a year and a half.

The first couple of months, I went out in my car and cried during every lunch break. I said "How can I possibly do this? It's so hard, there is so much asked of us..." but after I became better at the required skills (turning, feeding, talking to dementia patients, changing briefs...) I stopped crying.

Then, I went to nursing school. I have been so grateful for everything that I have learned in LTC, because it has made me feel very comfortable caring for patients. If you can care for a patient that is yelling and confused, then you will be able to take care of any patient.

I know it's hard. You're not alone. It's a very hard job, but you really need to tough it out, because it will be so difficult to get any healthcare job without some experience.

Someday you will look back on this job and you'll probably think to yourself... "I'm glad that I'm not doing that job anymore, but I am really grateful for everything I learned while I was there."

Trust me, I've been in your shoes. Really. It does get better, and you will become a stronger person because of this job.

[CrystalinNC]

I didn't read through all of the comments, so this may have already been suggested....but have you tried Assisted Living? You're working with people that are in better shape overall. Sure...you will lose patients, but rarely are you working with bedridden patients.

[Tinkk]

I can relate. I have worked in an LTC facility for a year now (I just put in my notice of resignation though). It was good experience, and I don't mind the CNA work itself, but I work in a rural facility where it's heavily understaffed. Sometimes I don't even get a lunch break when I work days. It's very stressful. Not only that, we are bossed around by the useless nurses who sit and blab all day with other the nurses/TMAs and pass meds. I am VERY unimpressed with nursing home nurses. I am not saying all of them are bad, but the majority I work with are clueless. For example, one asked me to fill up a portable oxygen tank because "she didn't know how to do it herself." You have to be kidding me, you are a nurse and you can't fill up an oxygen tank? I've had my fill of this place and moving on.

I would say to stick it out for a summer. At least you can say you had CNA experience. I know it's hard but it does get better. I think it will help you long term when you become a nurse, you will be better able to handle the stress of nursing because you got a handle on the whole CNA thing. Some people are not cut out for LTC and hospice (I can deal with it fine, but I'd much rather work with people of all ages and not just the elderly) and that's OK, you just haven't found your niche yet. Just know that throughout your nursing career you will be dealing with death and the elderly and doing a lot of CNA work...unless you work at my nursing home as a nurse, lol.