I hate being a CNA

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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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?

A CNA job is not for everyone. Three months is not a very long time, so I think that you may find it hard to find a job in a doctor's office for only the summertime. Maybe you could try a different long-term living facility, or assisted living instead of rehab/hospice? Without a doubt, it will help your resume, but if you don't need the money, and it is making you miserable, it's not worth it. I hope things work out for you!

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Hi , after reading the comment above , I can only tell you .. That changing diapers , wait for people to die, ..etc, are all part of what a real nurses do. And there's where you going to. Meaning you are in school expecting to be a nurse one day . This is all about care. Care for others that can't do by themselves anymore.

Its the way you see it.

anywhere you go, will have the same type of duties.

Real healthcare needs a heart and compassion , I definatly understand feeling lost at the very beggining , but as the time pass you will do better and better . And you are going to like and have passion for doing your job . I hope you are doing very well , I wish all the best and God bless your hands.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

It also helps you to become comfortable with those intimate tasks.As a nurse you can multi-task and fly

through an assessment while completing a bed bath.

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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?

This is exactly the same for me! I am work in rehab too and I hate it! I don't need a job either but just the experience. I have to stick it out for Atleast a year though. That is what employers look at. I cried too just couple work days ago and feel so lost. I too prefer to work in an office setting, but can't. I know how you feel and I know what you're going thorough somewhat. We just just must stick it out. I love my patient (most of them). It is hard, tiring, crappy crappy pay, 20 patients and it is horrible! I hope and pray it gets better. I already want to quit, but I can't. I need experience while I am waiting to get into the rn program. I hope it gets better for you!

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Don't listen to what everyone is saying, their not doing the work you are. If you don't like the work leave. You say you don't need the money but the experience, you could volunteer at local hospitals/ nursing facilities or work in assisted living facilities or do companion work but whatever you do keep your can license active do prn shifts. Or work in a hospital as a Patient Rep to register people or care partner.

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Are you sure you're not just burnt out, exhausted and at max stress levels? Like everyone else here said, you will have to do all of that stuff as a nurse also.

I have a question. Do you have a history of anxiety and panic attacks? If so, I can relate intimately. Hospice Pts would bring all of those scary feelings back. It would serve as a trigger. Sleep debt and no coping strategies for reducing stress will serve as a trigger also.

I am a new CNA as of January. The first couple of months, I experienced a lot of moments where I became so frustrated that I just wanted to tear off my gloves and walk out. I wanted to quit and never look back.

That went away as I got better at the skills. I am so glad I didn't quit.

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Hey everyone! I am doing much better with my CNA job now. I think I was just intimidated! Thanks for your advice.

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Specializes in Pediatric Home Care, Dr Office/Clinic.

Glad you are doing better. My first year as a CNA I cried a lot. Last week I cried @ work. Heck yesterday at work SUCKED & I was on the verge of tears! Being a CNA is hard. It takes a lil trial & error to find the right place of employment. I spent my first year as a CNA trying out different places until I was happy. I did NOT like SNF or nursing homes, but found that I really liked working in assisted living & hospitals. I currently work at 2 different hospitals and plan on working in a hospital after I become an RN as well.

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