I don't think being a CNA is right for me.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

Maybe it's just the environment you are in. I didn't really enjoy LTC either. My classmates who worked in a hospital seemed to enjoy their jobs immensely and they got to learn so much stuff (catheter insertion, EKG, etc..). I just had an interview last week at a detention center & I was surprised to find out that a lot of detention centers hire CNA's ! There are different avenues you can take..it just takes some time to find your niche.

caliotter3 · Jun 4, 2012

Look at this as a means to an end, with a stop date. And start applying for positions in acute care facilities. Once you start working in an acute care facility, your interest should be piqued and things should pick up for you.

allnurses Guide · Jun 4, 2012

It's perfectly OK not to love doing those tasks and only those tasks. You don't seem to be developing a callous attitude and you know these functions are essential to the health of the whole person in the long run, and that's what is important. When you are through nursing school it changes your thought process so much - don't worry too much about that.

When I first started working in private duty I had to do a lot of feeding which seemed to be very tedious at times, but I tried to learn all I could about how to do that the best I could for each person's needs. It does help somewhat. Best wishes to you!

allnurses Guide · Jun 4, 2012

It is perfectly fine to not work as a CNA.

There is no guarantee that being a CNA by itself makes you a better nurse.

It is ok if you want to quit. Make sure to give two weeks notice.

There are techs who work in our local ER. And CNA's in acute which is much different than LTC. We also have HHA's who help in hospice.

My mom is in a lock-down Alzheimer's facility and I appreciate the CNA's who work there - but it is ok not to like that kind of work.

Is there a way you don't have to work when you are in school?

VanessaLovesNursing · Jun 4, 2012

I went to school for CNA. Completed the course, didn't bother to get the certification. Went straight for LPN. I feel your pain.

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

I hate to tell you, but you don't get to get out of cleaning patients, bathing them, and cleaning up bodily fluids when you're a nurse. Sure, you may have help, but a good nurse doesn't leave his/her CNA alone to clean up a major mess. Also, when you are in nursing school you do practically everything for your patient during clinicals. This means that you feed them, bathe them, dress them, clean up their messes, ambulate them, and do all the other CNA duties. You also do nursing tasks for them like starting IVs, inserting NGs and Foleys, hanging fluids and meds, etc.

If you hate what you're doing now, you probably won't like what you will do as a nurse. Nurses don't get to say, "well I'm the nurse and you're the CNA, so you're going to clean up all my messes for me, and I'm just going to give meds and do "nurse" stuff." There are nurses out there who have that attitude, but no one likes them. You have to be a team player, and you have to be willing to do even the menial tasks.

Also, you can't always get the shift you want. If you hate that job so bad, and you are offered a job at another facility on nights, then take it. You may eventually be able to segue your way off nights and onto a day shift job at a new facility.

JDZ344 · Jun 4, 2012

I could not work as a CNA in LTC for a long time. You could try for hospital positions; there is still a lot of poop and urine but you get to do so much more. Especially if the nurses know you are a student, they might let you observe things or explain things to you more.

Also, nurses do their share of butt wiping and toileting too.

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

You are entitled to feel that way. I mean, let's be honest, wiping a** and smelling urine on a consistant basis is DISGUSTING. No CNA (that I can think of) enjoys that part of the job. I think its safe to say that the majority of CNA tasks leave much to be desired.

There are also some good things about being a CNA. For ex, I helped save a life once. It was awesome. Sometimes just Your presence alone can brighten a persons day. I happen to enjoy listening to thier stories. Any story that begins with "I was waiting for the streetcar one day..." Is worthing listening to.

Being a CNA has taught me exceptional self control. There are times when a resident smells so bad that I want to vomit. Even then, I manage to maintain my composure. I'm sure the resident is embarrassed and doesn't need my negativity. One day, I might need my butt wiped. I always tell myself that.

That being said, its good that you know now that being a CNA is not right for you. I can't stand a bitter CNA. Just know that butt wiping doesn't end When you are a nurse... (Depending where you work) you just get paid more to do it. LOL Take it in stride. It's hard out here for a CNA.

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 4, 2012

Maybe it's just the environment you are in. I didn't really enjoy LTC either. My classmates who worked in a hospital seemed to enjoy their jobs immensely and they got to learn so much stuff (catheter insertion, EKG, etc..). I just had an interview last week at a detention center & I was surprised to find out that a lot of detention centers hire CNA's ! There are different avenues you can take..it just takes some time to find your niche.

Good luck! I hope you get the job!

Lyricalluna · Jun 8, 2012

I feel somewhat the way you do as well. I salute the CNAs that have put up with this work for many years but, I know I can only put up with so much. The nurses at my job mostly don't deal with the stuff us CNAs do but I've had nurses offer help when we need it just not in the toileting department lol. We are usually left with those messes but it could be cuz I work in the post acute section I don't know lol

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2012

I hate to tell you, but you don't get to get out of cleaning patients, bathing them, and cleaning up bodily fluids when you're a nurse. Sure, you may have help, but a good nurse doesn't leave his/her CNA alone to clean up a major mess. Also, when you are in nursing school you do practically everything for your patient during clinicals. This means that you feed them, bathe them, dress them, clean up their messes, ambulate them, and do all the other CNA duties. You also do nursing tasks for them like starting IVs, inserting NGs and Foleys, hanging fluids and meds, etc.
If you hate what you're doing now, you probably won't like what you will do as a nurse. Nurses don't get to say, "well I'm the nurse and you're the CNA, so you're going to clean up all my messes for me, and I'm just going to give meds and do "nurse" stuff." There are nurses out there who have that attitude, but no one likes them. You have to be a team player, and you have to be willing to do even the menial tasks.
Also, you can't always get the shift you want. If you hate that job so bad, and you are offered a job at another facility on nights, then take it. You may eventually be able to segue your way off nights and onto a day shift job at a new facility.

Yep. Sad but true. What a CNA does comes under nursing. Also, if you fancy ICU nursing you'll probably do all of that for the pt with assistance. I wouldn't work as a CNA during school though. Not for the same reasons.

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