If I hate being a CNA, will I hate being a Nurse?

[Jellyoo]

Hello! I took a CNA class cause I was told that if I didn’t like being a CNA, nursing would not be for me. I barely started working as a CNA a few days ago and I already hate it. I already feel burnt out. I don’t mind cleaning BM’s and urine. It’s just the work is back breaking. My back, legs and knees are already hurting, even though I’m doing proper body mechanics. (*Note: I’m 4’11 & 110 lbs.) I’m having a hard time doing things such a helping transfer residents to wheelchair or to their bed. The CNA’s would just tell their residents to put their resident’s arm around their neck and just lift them from there. I can’t do that since the residents are taller and weights more than me. It feels like both the resident and I would fall. I don’t want to risk that. Some of them can’t even stand. I’m also having a hard time rolling the heavy residents cause some of them are total depence. I usually get help from LVN’s or other CNA’s for transferring and rolling the residents, but I look so incompetent cause I’m always calling them for help all the time specially for transfering residents. We have a lift but, we only use them for total dependence and bariatric residents. Today, I had a fall incident too, one of my residents was found on the floor while I was changing the other resident. My CNA partner found her on the floor. Another confused resident also, scratched and tried biting me while changing her. No one told me she does that. But good thing one of the night shift CNA’s came in the room to helped me. I also didn’t take my 30 minute break for the last two days cause everyone of my residents kept ringing their call lights and wanted their diaper change. I don’t want to sacrifice my body for this back breaking job. Some of the CNA’s I’ve met told me they got their back or knee injuries from being a CNA. Can someone tell how different CNA and RN work is? From what I’ve observed at work, the RN’s passes out medications, do paper works, call resident’s doctor and check on their CNA’s.

Will I hate being a RN? I’m in the process of applying for Nursing school.

P.S: Sorry that was a bit long.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

The RN is responsible for everything the CNA does. That means if the CNA does not do things or cannot do things or there isn't one (and its pretty common), the RN has to do those things on TOP of all the other things he or she has to do.

The two jobs are very different with overlapping responsibilities. Nursing has a lot of options away from the bedside, but most of them require a certain amount of time spent at the bedside before you would be considered for those jobs. If you are "burned out" after just a few days you may wish to think about other career paths. There are a lot of things you can do in healthcare besides nursing that are not quite as taxing. Check out respiratory therapy, radiology technician, sonogram technician, physical or occupational therapy, etc.

[Nurselexii]

Hello , before I respond what is your vison of nursing, and then what kind of job would you love to be doing or you feel is doable then I can bettee advise you ?

[Newoldnurse50]

Not enjoying being a CNA, particularly in a facility with poor teamwork as you describe should not mean that your not cut out to be a nurse. The mechanics of moving people will come with experience. I see small nurses and CNAs that can move folks as well as anyone up to a point, and then they get help when they need it.

You need to eat, don t go all shift without doing so, at least grab protein bars or something. You can not take care of anyone if your weak from not eating, I did this as a new nurse, miserable.

Don't beat yourself up, keep at it and you will toughen up, mentally and physically.