I really hate my job as a CNA. Will I hate / suck at being a Nurse?

joseyjo · Jul 16, 2016

What about personal care don't you like? The scope of practice for a nuses encompasses everyday CNA does, so you may have to do some of those things sometimes. Probably less often though.

pixiestudent2 · Jul 16, 2016

I think you can still go on to be a good nurse. Your main duties as an RN will not be personal care. I never worked as a hospital aide because I knew I'd hate it.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 16, 2016

OP, if that is a picture of you & your name I would change them both as soon as possible. Coming on a forum to talk about how much you dislike being a CNA is fine, but I don't think your employer would feel the same.

NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2016

After my Psych rotation, I can safely say that Psych is kind of its own world. I think it's the most unique specialty. And so different from CNA. In Psych departments, the most interaction is with LVNs. RNs mostly just hand out meds and chart, there is next to no interaction with the patients. Therefore, I would suggest you become an LVN, it's less of a commitment than RN and will provide the most interaction with the psych patient, and then you can go from there. Good luck!

pixiestudent2 · Jul 16, 2016

After my Psych rotation, I can safely say that Psych is kind of its own world. I think it's the most unique specialty. And so different from CNA. In Psych departments, the most interaction is with LVNs. RNs mostly just hand out meds and chart, there is next to no interaction with the patients. Therefore, I would suggest you become an LVN, it's less of a commitment than RN and will provide the most interaction with the psych patient, and then you can go from there. Good luck!

You are way off base. Do not follow this advice OP.

As a nursing student who did a rotation in one facility.. You cannot safely say that ðŸ™„

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 16, 2016

After my Psych rotation, I can safely say that Psych is kind of its own world. I think it's the most unique specialty. And so different from CNA. In Psych departments, the most interaction is with LVNs. RNs mostly just hand out meds and chart, there is next to no interaction with the patients. Therefore, I would suggest you become an LVN, it's less of a commitment than RN and will provide the most interaction with the psych patient, and then you can go from there. Good luck!

I don't get what you are trying to say. So different from CNA?

Also why are you suggesting that someone become an LVN due to less commitment? LVNs & RNs are both nurses & both have high levels of responsibility.

I know what you thought you saw, but there is so much more to that. Unless you actually work in psych, I wouldn't make blanket statements.

xdrowe · Jul 16, 2016

I have been a CNA for a year now. I am 20 years old and am so disgusted with this job. I started working at a care center but now I work at a hospital, and it doesn't change the way I feel about it. I honestly have no problem helping people. But I don't like doing personal care anymore. I am just worried that I will suck as a nurse? Should I drop out now? I don't know what to do anymore!!!
I love helping people mentally. My ultimate goal was to become a Mental Health Nurse practitioner. but this kind of labor ( as a CNA) is killing me!

I can appreciate your honesty. I have not really looked into what a CNA does. Can you share a little detail?

xdrowe · Jul 16, 2016

I think you can still go on to be a good nurse. Your main duties as an RN will not be personal care. I never worked as a hospital aide because I knew I'd hate it.

What does "personal care" consist of? Throughout the years, the CNAs I have met often have said, "I'm tired of changing diapers," or "I'm tired of giving bed baths."

NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2016

I was actually in a total of 4 facilities that covered acute, long-term, and outpatient. It was only 16 weeks though (32 clinical days), you are correct. As far as the "less commitment" I was referring to less educational requirements, therefore, if OP ends up not liking it, she is hasn't lost as much time and money. I realize that LVNs are fully committed nurses.

CanadianAbroad · Jul 16, 2016

After my Psych rotation, I can safely say that Psych is kind of its own world. I think it's the most unique specialty. And so different from CNA. In Psych departments, the most interaction is with LVNs. RNs mostly just hand out meds and chart, there is next to no interaction with the patients. Therefore, I would suggest you become an LVN, it's less of a commitment than RN and will provide the most interaction with the psych patient, and then you can go from there. Good luck!

This is TERRIBLE advice! My brother is an RPN and my mom was an RN. They worked together on a psych unit, and did the same job. Both had high interaction with the patients, yet the RN was paid more. Any interaction I have had personally, has been the same way. Becoming an LPN, takes just as much commitment than becoming an RN.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 16, 2016

I was actually in a total of 4 facilities that covered acute, long-term, and outpatient. It was only 16 weeks though (32 clinical days), you are correct. As far as the "less commitment" I was referring to less educational requirements, therefore, if OP ends up not liking it, she is hasn't lost as much time and money. I realize that LVNs are fully committed nurses.

Ok, I'm glad you had such great clinicals. But I'm telling you that psych nurses don't just sit around ignoring patients. Until you are out there in the weeds, I wouldn't say those types of things.

The OP is only 20, I don't think she's worried about wasting time.