I suck as a cna, will I have a hard time at nursing school?

caliotter3 · Sep 21, 2011

The job is a lot easier and faster when the nursing assistants work in pairs. You develop a rhythm with the other worker and things just get done more efficiently. If the nurses don't insist that you work in pairs, suggest it to a coworker. Tell that person that you are having problems getting it done by yourself and explain the benefits of working with another. You can get tips from that person as well as develop teamwork that will benefit both of you.

juliaann · Sep 21, 2011

To be honest, I didn't really like or think I was particularly good at being a CNA, but I don't at all doubt my ability to be a nurse. I'm loving nursing school and clinicals....sure it's great to have the CNA foundation, but it is not a total determining factor of if you'll be a good nurse.

Don't be so hard on yourself.. 2 years is a long time! Your skills will come back to you, and you'll get soooo much better at time management and efficiency with practice. It's a learning process.

I wouldn't let it scare you away from nursing school...we take skills 1 skill at a time, and in most clinicals were only responsible for 1 patient each day. It's been really laid back for me. I was used to working the floor as a CNA and having a million things to do all the time. And to be honest, I got kind of burned out on having a million bajillion patients on the med-surg floors, so I cross trained to be a tele tech and then a cardio tech. Having a huge patient load isn't for everyone, and luckily nursing is diverse enough that not everyone has to work on a unit with a high nurse-to-patient ratio. :)

In summary: give yourself a break and believe in yourself!!!

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2011

hi, i am in a bsn program set to start actual nursing classes in january.

congratulations!!!

i just started a stna job (cna) in a women's dementia nursing home floor. working as a cna with dementia pts is hard work. there are other cna jobs that you may be better suited for.

i am really bad at it. this is my first week on the floor and i will be working full time 3 days a week. i slow everyone down. some people take longer to learn skills and if you have not practiced them, you would slow people down. it is bad business practice to bring in a new cna and not have someone work with the cna for a few days--just until the cna gets the idea how things are done, etc.

i took the class 2 years ago and i do not seem to remember anything. i also have a hard time understanding the residents and getting them dressed and changed when they become combative. it takes a special skill set to work with compative dementia pts--the facility should have given you some skills in that area.

i am lost on everything!! it is so brand new to me like i never took the class. i really love the fact that i can help them but sometimes i feel like i am not because they can tell i am struggling to put on a diaper or put on a gown. sounds like nerves to me. when i had to put on an adult diaper, i had no clue. the last time i worked with a diaper they were cloth and it was on my infant (she is now an adult). what you describe is just new cna jitters. you certainly will get used to diapers and putting on gowns because you will do it so often.

i would be in a room for 20 minutes while the other nurse aides are done putting everyone to bed and giving showers. and how long have those aids been working at the facility or in the field? if you need help, talk to the charge nurse to come up with a solution. obviously, they saw something in you to hire you.

i feel so frustrated and doubtful i will be able to do well in clinicals and will not be able to handle school and work since i need more time than others to pick up skills. any advice???

clinicals are different than being a cna. the first semester you will learn cna skills (vitals, feeding, making a bed) but you will also learn the beginning skills towards being a nurse--meds and their application, labs & tests, care plans as well as basic pt care. however, being a nurse is not being a cna. nurses do cna work, especially if there is no cna on the floor as on the icu) but nurses are paid the big bucks because they have the knowlege, cognitive ability, physical skills and the ability to apply everything. your rn education will take you from a low level skills environment to a high level professional environmet.

if you feel inadequate at your job, consider a new one or at least discuss the problem with the charge nurse. best to you...

JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2011

Being a CNA and going to nursing school are 2 different things. Although my school requires a CNA cert before applying for nursing school, I've met many a nurse who never did CNA work and they are outstanding nurses. Just remember that this is helping you to see how hard the CNA job is, probably the most valuable lesson you'll get from the job.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2011

ive never been a CNA, but when im on the floors, the work they do is pretty challenging, and while in the nurse role while on clinical they are a great asset and take a bit of the work load of the nurses. I will be the first to say that i feel so inept , when im there making a bed , with too tight sheets, getting tangled in the call light cable and stuff..but when im doing nurse stuff like giving meds, ambulating, spiking bags etc...i dont correlate the two. Neither should you.

Do the best you can, & think positive :) you can do it! :)