I'm Done!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Specializes in LTC.

I quit my CNA job. With all the budget cuts I couldn't make a living off my pay (7.25 an hour!!) and the work is just to much for such a little amount of pay. I was working 6 days a week, in school 4 with 2 small children and I would just cry after every shift. The kicker was when my son got sick and was admitted to the hospital just a few days ago. I called in (16 hours before my shift when I was assured my son was going to have to stay a few days.) The nurse who took my call in chewed me out! I haven't called in in the 2 1/2 years I've been with this faciltiy! She said it was because of people like me that they are always short staffed. I told her I'd bring in an excuse from the hospital, to which she replied "Oh, like it's not hard to trick a hospital out of an excuse!".

So I'll admit I didn't handle the situation well- I replied that if it weren't for hateful people like her that so many people wouldn't dread coming to work, and that unlike her, the idea of "talking" a hospital out of an excuse never crossed my mind. Then I quit in the heat of rage! I reported her to the DON when I went in for my last check, but she told me I couldn't report it since I was no longer an employee.

I have to say, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my back. I found a job that works better for me, and I'm pretty happy.

Good Luck to all of you pursuing your CNA, know that this post isn't meant to discourage anyone, just to vent. The only thing I'll miss are my residents who I grew to love like family.

P.S- My son had a massive infection and was in hospital for 4 days, but has been released and seems to be doing well!

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I'm glad your son is better. Glad U found that there are plenty of jobs out there that suit U better.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Good for you! :yeah: I had a lame job too and when I gave notice because I had found another job (better pay, great benefits and WAY better working conditions) the nurse I worked under treated me horribly. She "joked" that she was mad at me, but really never talked to or looked me in the eye again before I left. Made me even more sure about my decision to quit :chuckle. This job also withheld paychecks one time so that all workers had to show up for a manditory meeting. I got mine w/o attending the meeting because I had noone to watch my kids and would have to bring them since it was my day off. Also, I informed them that it was illegal to withhold an employees pay like this. Ironically the meeting was to be about boosting moral :chuckle:chuckle:chuckle. Freakin' hilarious!!!

I think more people should stand up to their crappy jobs and then maybe things would change. I'm glad you are in a better position now. Mostly I'm happy to hear that your son is ok. :redpinkhe

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I am glad your son is better, I am glad you found a job, and I am glad you quit the job!!Good for you and Good Luck.

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I quit my CNA job. With all the budget cuts I couldn't make a living off my pay (7.25 an hour!!) and the work is just to much for such a little amount of pay. I was working 6 days a week, in school 4 with 2 small children and I would just cry after every shift. The kicker was when my son got sick and was admitted to the hospital just a few days ago. I called in (16 hours before my shift when I was assured my son was going to have to stay a few days.) The nurse who took my call in chewed me out! I haven't called in in the 2 1/2 years I've been with this faciltiy! She said it was because of people like me that they are always short staffed. I told her I'd bring in an excuse from the hospital, to which she replied "Oh, like it's not hard to trick a hospital out of an excuse!".

So I'll admit I didn't handle the situation well- I replied that if it weren't for hateful people like her that so many people wouldn't dread coming to work, and that unlike her, the idea of "talking" a hospital out of an excuse never crossed my mind. Then I quit in the heat of rage! I reported her to the DON when I went in for my last check, but she told me I couldn't report it since I was no longer an employee.

I have to say, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my back. I found a job that works better for me, and I'm pretty happy.

Good Luck to all of you pursuing your CNA, know that this post isn't meant to discourage anyone, just to vent. The only thing I'll miss are my residents who I grew to love like family.

P.S- My son had a massive infection and was in hospital for 4 days, but has been released and seems to be doing well!

I think you handled the situation perfect.

Your family comes first, above all, and if they could not understand that, well, I have many choice words they might like to hear.

It makes me mad that the nurse chewed you out, you gave more than enough time to find a replacement for your shift, and this was the first time you called in? You showed, IMO, incredible restraint for just saying what you did and quitting.

I am glad your son is doing good. He is what was important is this, not the *swear words* that made your job hell for you.

Hugs for you and your son, hope he continues to recover.

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You did the right thing by putting your son first. That nurse you spoke to was wrong: it's the nonsense that CNAs put up with that cause the high turnover rate. I can't tell you how many nursing assistants have left my floor. There are only 2 nurisng assistants in the day who work a 35-unit floor. It's hard to pull someone else from another floor because they're short-staffed too. So it's the same low pay, but double the work. Morale is very low.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I'm glad your son is doing better! That place sounds horrible. You'll be better off in the long run, no1 deserves to be harrassed for calling in :angryfire

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

What horrible pay. The CNAs where I work make 14$ starting. I am way way up north in WI. Our mcdonalds workers in the next little town make 8 an hour. Where are you at that wages are so horrible?

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