I lost my love for nursing...thinking about quitting.

SilleLu · May 19, 2014

I'd look elsewhere. A person who can't bear any weight can only be transferred in a lift. I would refuse any action that is unsafe for myself or the resident. I was a cna for 3 years at a well run facility and there was a lot of hard shifts, but I never once felt I was being asked to do something that was unsafe for me or the resident.

MurseJJ · May 19, 2014

I think you should definitely look into another job. It doesn't sound like you're happy there, nor does it sound like they are practicing safely (I would never put someone on the toilet from the bed that wasn't able to stand, let alone without a lift and/or you're doing it by yourself).

Go to the interview, and see what it's like there. All nursing homes are definitely not like what you describe (though the work is difficult for the CNAs). Have you looked into hospital jobs? I work as a PCA in a hospital (basically a CNA that can also draw blood, do EKGs, and a few other things), and I could never imagine working in a nursing home. Further, I think you have to remember that your work as an RN will be different from your work as a CNA. Yes, there is overlap, and the RN can do everything that you do as a CNA. However, as I'm sure you know, the level of responsibility, care, interventions, assessment, etc is much greater. I could never be a PCA as my career. CNA/PCA work gives you a glimpse into nursing, however there is so much more to it than that (even some CNAs/PCAs have a skewed view of professional nursing, saying things like "oh, we do everything they do, except they give meds". I've heard this many times, in more than one job).

So, the best thing for you to do is find another job. Your happiness is important. Don't stay in such a miserable place, especially if you're in nursing school now.

mzsuccess · May 19, 2014

Thanks for your response, all the older cnas there tell me this is how it is everywhere, i refuse to get stuck there. I'm going to miss my residents badly.

mzsuccess · May 19, 2014

nycguy86, we have a pct here in but no pca, I've been applying at hospitals but with no luck whatsoever.

MurseJJ · May 19, 2014

nycguy86, we have a pct here in but no pca, I've been applying at hospitals but with no luck whatsoever.

Generally speaking, PCA=PCT=CT (clinical tech), just depends on the name the facility uses.

But yeah, keep trying, everywhere! If anything, go to this upcoming interview, and see how different it is from your current job. Maybe you could ask questions about things related to the problems at your current job, like safely taking patients to the toilet, staff working together (and that you are a team player and desire a collegial environment, and that you like that about this new job, if that's what you sense), etc. The main thing I see is that this current job just isn't right, and you need to get out. Don't get stuck like the older CNAs. :no:

mzsuccess · May 19, 2014

your so right! how did you become a pca? and i got offered the job and i accepted it, i was thinking about passing meds as a med tech , because they have a nursing home and assisted living after 90 days i can transfer.

MurseJJ · May 19, 2014

your so right! how did you become a pca? and i got offered the job and i accepted it, i was thinking about passing meds as a med tech , because they have a nursing home and assisted living after 90 days i can transfer.

I was an EMT-Basic during my first undergrad (I studied psychology), then I was an ER Tech, then because of all of my experience as an EMT-B and ER Tech, I was able to get a PCA job when I moved. All you really need for PCA/PCT jobs is your CPR/BLS certification (make sure you get that if you haven't already. My job only requires "heart saver", but naturally if you're not already in nursing school, you'll realize that must have BLS prior to clinical rotations), as well as CNA certification. Some hospitals ask you to have also taken an EKG and Phlebotomy certification class, so you could look into those in your area. But really, the requirements for PCA/PCT jobs tend to depend on the hospital. We also had on the job training for a few weeks (2 weeks in the classroom/supervised blood draws, 2 weeks working with another PCA)

Med Tech sounds interesting if that's what they can do (I'm not familiar with it). Not sure if you're already in nursing school (I personally start my BSN program in the Fall), but if not, try to find a job that won't be too stressful (like your current one) and will allow you to be able to focus on your studies and not be stressed out.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · May 19, 2014

Apply at another facility. Usually when I work at a crappy facility, the next one is a lot better. They are not all like that, but usually the ones that most people start out at are.

I started out as an EMT for a horrible ambulance services that stressed people out to the extreme. In all honesty, I blame them for the partial bitterness towards jobs that I have developed along with being laid off suddenly from my first PCT job. The ambulance company drove people to quit on the air (someone called over the radio to let dispatch know they are returning to the station because their partner quit) and three people vandalized the station by cutting camera cords, stealing the DVR, and dumping employee files so they wouldn't know how many write ups people had. We were being written up left and right for stuff we did/didn't do. I supposedly didn't have a physician certificate form from a patient that I managed but I thought we did. Well, my partner threw a fit and demanded the chart to be faxed over because he was being written up to. The 2nd page in the packet was the physician certificate form. Oh and there was the one employee who broke down in a parking lot when the managers came to inspect their wheelchair van and had to be driven to the ER for eval over the weekend.

Honestly? Apply elsewhere and see if you will be hired.

martymoose, BSN, RN · May 19, 2014

try the job. then decide about nursing.

what about home health aide?

newrnltc · May 19, 2014

I've worked in different NHs. Management and coworkers really make or break you. Residents I will always love but the way the facility is run really makes a difference on whether you feel optimistic stepping on the floor or feel like crying in the bathroom. Try another place.

mzsuccess · May 21, 2014

Hi every one. Just a quick update. I gave my two week notice. My Don tried to get me to stay and have me work every other weekend. But I told her no. Now for some reason I feel bad and hope I made the right choice. I'm kinda bittersweet. I'm prn at an assisted living and have a home care interview