If I hate being a Cna, should I stop pursuing Nursing?

Compassion_x · Oct 4, 2012

I honestly felt like you did. I absolutely did not like my CNA clinicals, but mostly because the other girls in my class were ******. They made it terrible. Once I actually began working as a CNA, I actually like it quite a bit most days. I would advise that you continue your program, and give it a try.

gummi bear · Oct 4, 2012

Whatever you decide to do, please realize that RN work does not exclude you from doing "CNA work". If you work in an ICU, (which you will probably have to in order to get into CRNA school, and some hospitals require med surg experience prior to working in the ICU) then please don't be that nurse that pushes all of the "yucky" stuff off on the other staff. I'm a CNA and I love what I do, but I can't stand people who refuse to work as a team because they don't want to/refuse to get their hands dirty. Isn't that a part of healthcare? Anyways, as I go through school, as you are as well, I try to keep these things in mind. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

josie25 · Oct 4, 2012

I also wasn't too excited with my CNA course and clinicals, which made me question nursing a little. However, I'm sure RN work is different and honestly I like my job as a caregiver, not at all what I thought CNA work was going to be like :)

MotherRN · Oct 4, 2012

I never wanted to be a CNA either. I had one rotation for 3 weeks in the summer in nursing school. I made the best of it. My issue with CNA work is that I am not strong enough to keep moving very large patients around by myself (too many babies + too much muscle separation abdominally=one weak back.) I'm an RN now. I just kept at it, even when I ran into tasks I didn't like along the way. I figured nursing is such a broad profession that I will find an area of it that suits me eventually. Right now, I'm in LTC. I feel like it's good for me because I get practice with basics that didn't get in school (or on the job because I didn't work during school). I would like to move into more acute nursing in the future. But, I don't mind skipping the hospital for now. Do what is right for you. Don't let anyone tell you what you can or should do.

bg6RN · Oct 5, 2012

Try to get a job as an anesthesia tech in the OR. I think you have to at least be a CNA. Then you can watch the CRNAs and see if you'd like to pursue that career.

Graduation2016 · Oct 5, 2012

Another choice would be to become a PA. They are involved in the surgery as much as the surgeon and with the scrub tech they form the sterile team while the RN in the room circulates and charts. For PA school you need a BS and then 2 years in their program. Once a PA the variety is endless! Good luck!

Graduation2016 · Oct 5, 2012

Also CRNA's pay wicked amounts of insurance if their company's don't offer it. I am an OB Scrub tech (1 year program) and love what I do but wanting more involvement in then labor and delivery process I am going back to school for my BSN.

IdianaCNA1993 · Oct 5, 2012

Through my experience I hated clinicals in my CNA class but I hated my first three days of my first aide job too only because I didnt know the people and what there preferences where but after a while it wasnt so bad and I grew to love it. and dont think about it as oh Im just whipping butts for 8-12 hours no its more than that you get to do other things for them like help pick out there clothes help them find somthing to do or watch on tv or be a shoulder for them to cry on, especially the new admits that have never been in a LTC facility or they came form a another facility. and having you to do those things with them keeps them happy healthy and feeling indipendant and when it comes to pericare or butt whippin' just think would you like to be left in your own waste? would you want your mom or dad or other relatives sitting like this? would I want to develope painful wounds on my bottom from sitting in my waste and the acid just eating away at my skin? Im sure youd say no to all those and if your that only persons care, you are preventing an illness by cleaning them and bathing them and what not. I myself know that I couldnt be an aide my whole life but go on to nursing school I kow alot of nurses that were aides for a week and ddnt like it or didnt even bother with becoming a CNA and they are good nurses now. at least start out PRN somewhere and after a while if you like then pick up more hours.

cougdogrn · Oct 5, 2012

On my unit we provide primary care nursing. So, CNA work is RN work as there is no other healthcare provider besides the RN. I have actually learned to love providing intimate aspects of nursing care...which in my opinion includes CNA work. Besides, performing CNA work allows the RN to observe the patient from all angles and see the big picture. Any nurse that cannot/will not perform CNA work doesn't usually work out at my hospital...even if you end up being a CRNA in the future, you're going to have to put in some serious time on the floor/unit in the mean time.

mandilynn13 · Oct 5, 2012

First of all not all nursing is wiping poop and doing peri care, but nursing is still a dirty job (that's not an insult to nursing. I am a student nurse). Here's a little tip just to get you through your CNA clinicals. Don't think of it as wiping another butt when you're taking care of the elderly. Look at that person as if that's your mother or your grandmother. Pretend you're taking care of your own family member. And remember that is somebody's mother and somebody's grandmother. When I started looking at the residents as if they were my own family, I found it easier to do the dirty work. Another tip: rub some Vicks vapor rub under your nose before you do clinicals.

blurredyearning · Oct 5, 2012

Everyone that I have heard that wants to be one basically does it for the bug buck$$. Have yet to hear someone express a much more salient reason.

My reason for wanting to be a CRNA:

I hate bedside. I like people well enough. I can care for people. But it drains me, both mentally and emotionally. I have to keep space between myself and others so that I don't get worn out. (This is also why I don't go out and party, don't have a large base of friends, etc. It's not just PTs. It's social interaction in general that drains me.)

I want to get my MD and be a surgeon. But I'm 27. I don't want to spend the next 10 years in school, plus residency. I want to eventually have a family, maybe.

I don't want to be just a nurse. I don't want to do things like wipe butts and hold puke buckets. Some folks like that sort of thing. I don't. I want something more technical, more challenging, more science-y and a little less touchy-feely. I LOVED anatomy and seeing the insides of bodies, seeing the guts and organs. It's amazing stuff. I want that all day instead of bedside.

So, being a CRNA would let me be in the OR setting that I want, let me have a technical-type career without spending another decade in college. The money is a nice perk, but money isn't an issue for me. We have money. I need a career that I'll enjoy and be proud to have.

bg6RN · Oct 5, 2012

I want something more technical, more challenging, more science-y and a little less touchy-feely. I LOVED anatomy and seeing the insides of bodies, seeing the guts and organs. It's amazing stuff. I want that all day instead of bedside. So, being a CRNA would let me be in the OR setting that I want, let me have a technical-type career without spending another decade in college. The money is a nice perk, but money isn't an issue for me. We have money. I need a career that I'll enjoy and be proud to have.

From what I've seen in the OR, the drape goes up near the patient's head and blocks anesthesia's view of the surgery. I don't think you'd be able to see much. Why not become a scrub tech or OR nurse (in scrub role). If seeing the insides of bodies is your passion that would give you a front row seat.