So I am currently a Nursing student and thought it would be a good experience to become a CNA. Well anyway.....I hate it!!!!! I get paid squat and do the hardest job I have ever done in my life. I really do enjoy the residents at the nursing home but the employees and the labor **** me off. I am seriously in a sweat from the moment I walk in till the moment I leave.
I feel severely underpaid and overworked. I could be babysitting and make more money than I do busting my butt all day.
Do you think it is just the facility I work in (its my first CNA position)?
Am I doomed as a nurse because I don't like being a CNA?
Any tips on how to make my attitude more positive?
I could have written your post. I started CNA-ing in June and after the first night I almost quit. I love the residents and constantly think and say "these poor people". I'm slow and my co-workers are not my biggest fans but the LPN's there like me. I am staying because as another poster said it's really helped my confidence and competence in clinicals. PLUS, the real reason I did it to begin with is so that when I am an LPN in January, I can say to the CNA's "yes, I was a CNA, I DO know how hard your job is!" I'll have compassion for them and also know how much to expect. Doing hard work is humbling and working at a LTC facility is humbleness next to godliness. It's something everyone should know about and see so that maybe someday we can change things for the better.
CNA's are overworked and so underpaid. CNA's do everyone elses job on top of their own. I hate being a CNA especially now since I'm a LVN and can't find a job. I'm a nurse but yet I'm paid as a CNA and treated as a CNA. It sucks, but only temporary.
You should look for another job if you hate going in everyday. Your residents can tell when you are stressed and it can stress them. Just remember, no place is perfect. There are lazy nurses, shoddy cnas, and rude admin EVERYWHERE. There will always be that one person or that group even, that **** you off. It is an extremely tough job, we are all overworked and underpaid, but it is also the best job I have ever had. When my residents look up when I come in and smile ear to ear, it makes everything else seem trivial. Sometimes they tell me how much they missed me on my day off and how the "other girl" didnt bring them coffee, or talk to them while caring for them, or some other thing that may seem little or trivial to an outsider, but means the world to them. This is when I know that I am right where I belong. I spent too long trying to find myself and figure out who I wanted to be. Now I know what I want in life and I'm a better person for it. Good luck to you in whatever you decide, just know that what you are doing now means everything to someone.
This is pretty funny. Well once you obtain your RN license don't think you won't be doing CNA type work. You will. I currently work as a CNA in a hospital and the work is still back breaking. Nurses still change patients as well as pass out meds. Make sure you can handle ever aspect or you won't like nursing very much.
That is exactly what you need to do. Walk in cna shoe so when you become a nurse, you'll know how hard it is and help.Yes, some nurses were cna before and still act like they cant touch bed pan but some are great(appreciate them).If you cant handle that, maybe you should look for another career path:health management? where they dont have to deal with patient care
I am working as a cna. I just had my second day of training at the nursing home. The first day the cna i was with was horrid. Like it was a inconvience to her for me being there with her. The second day. (well with the help of me feeling more at ease) The woman i was with was way more helpful. When i followed her like a lost puppy or asked her questions she was right there. She even asked me if i had any questions. Anyway i wish you the best. Oh yeah the other good thing for me that i think will help me alot. This is just a every other weekend thing. I have another job. It is at walmart. But the stress level there is way lower so that is like my down time.
I am working as a cna. I just had my second day of training at the nursing home. The first day the cna i was with was horrid. Like it was a inconvience to her for me being there with her. The second day. (well with the help of me feeling more at ease) The woman i was with was way more helpful. When i followed her like a lost puppy or asked her questions she was right there. She even asked me if i had any questions. Anyway i wish you the best. Oh yeah the other good thing for me that i think will help me alot. This is just a every other weekend thing. I have another job. It is at walmart. But the stress level there is way lower so that is like my down time.
Dont take it personal. I went thru that when i got trained, and i thought i was in a way or slowing her(my trainer) down. I question her about it after my training was over, and she told me it wasnt me.
Look at what you said you like about the job...you said you like the patients, but hate the pay and the backbreaking work. I hate to tell you but the pay and the backbreaking CNA work isn't going to get better. However, you might enjoy trying to find a hospital CNA job. In a hospital setting, it's more fast paced, you'll see more acutely ill patients, and it will be easier to apply what you are learning from nursing school.
I disagree... I think you should try and find another facility to work at. I don't mind going to work, and I can honestly say that I enjoy what I do for work. I work at a LTC facility, and have great co-workers. The work is not too strenuous, either... maybe the facility you work at is short-staffed??
Sometimes I hate my job as a CNA, after work I take a shower and go straight to bed because im so exhausted lol. Its very tiring and emotionally draining but I'm still going to continue my nursing education. A Nurse and a Nursing assistant job descriptions are worlds apart. You shouldn't think that just because you hate your job as a nursing assistant you will hate your career as a nurse. The Nursing assistant job to you it not a means to and end, its just something your doing to gain some hands on experience and earn some money at the same time. Don't feel bad because a lot of us nursing students are in the same boat as you questioning whether the Nursing profession is for them just because they had bad experiences as a CNA. That's why enjoy this website soo much! You don't feel alone in your daily plight in the nursing profession. Although this profession is very stressful, it's equally fulfilling. Continue to post on this website, laugh, cry, rant and share your feelings with all of us in the nursing field. We will get through this stressful but fulfilling field together:)
Ive been a CNA for a long time and have worked at two nursing homes and a hospital. Nursing homes are hard work period. The hospitals way different though, especially at night. Your not so understaffed and underpaid. I just graduated with my RN and let me tell ya if you really want to be a nurse then go for it. Don't let your nursing home experience ruin that for you. Working as a CNA in a nursing home is completely different than working as an RN in a hospital.
Good for you to have found a good facility to work in but unfortunately in LTC most places are like that. Not all of course, the second nursing home I worked in was great... It wasn't really a "nursing home" per se though. It was an old county hospital that had been converted into a LTC/psychiatric facility. I worked with Alzheimer patients and I LOVED it. I did have to work really hard but the staffing and pay was much better
NamasteNurse, BSN, RN
680 Posts
I could have written your post. I started CNA-ing in June and after the first night I almost quit. I love the residents and constantly think and say "these poor people". I'm slow and my co-workers are not my biggest fans but the LPN's there like me. I am staying because as another poster said it's really helped my confidence and competence in clinicals. PLUS, the real reason I did it to begin with is so that when I am an LPN in January, I can say to the CNA's "yes, I was a CNA, I DO know how hard your job is!" I'll have compassion for them and also know how much to expect. Doing hard work is humbling and working at a LTC facility is humbleness next to godliness. It's something everyone should know about and see so that maybe someday we can change things for the better.