Is a CNA job reflective of my future career?

[JT23]

I have been a CNA at a nursing home for a month now and I thought it would be a good way to gain some experience in the nursing field. My plan is to become a nurse anesthetist; I want to work in an OR and I want to help save and enhance lives. However, I don't like my job as a CNA and now I am worried that nursing may be the wrong path for me. Is a job in a nursing home as a CNA similar to the jobs I will have once I get my RN in a hospital setting and then later when I get my CRNA? I enjoy the residents who I help take care of, I love listening to their stories and getting to know them. I also love getting to take vitals. Unfortunately I feel as though my work day consist of giving multiple showers, lifting people with my belt or a machine, feeding people and changing diapers or helping people on and off of the toilet. I also have a nurse in charge of me who is constantly screaming at all of the CNA's. She is never happy or satisfied and there is no teamwork. I honestly just can not stand the job anymore. I feel miserable at work. Basically I just want to know if nursing school is going to be a mistake. Also if there are any RNs or CRNAs who have previously been a CNA I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!

[schnookimz]

The tasks that you mention hating are things you would never do as a nurse anesthetist. As long as you enjoy working with people and have the patience to deal with all kinds of different people--some more agreeable than others--you should be fine.

[Hygiene Queen]

Well, sometimes you have to start at the bottom and work your way to the top.

Part of that will mean you will need to do things you don't like or may not need really need to achieve your goal.

Take what you need from each experience, grow and look forward.

Just because you do not like being a CNA does not mean you will not like being a nurse.

P.S.

Some things make look unimportant now, but may be surprisingly useful in the future.

[aachavez]

Once you are an RN, it will be helpful to have some experience.

I've done so much CNA work while in school, I've spent most of my clinical time bathing, changing and feeding. As an RN, those tasks are still your responsibility, but there is SO much more you will be doing as well. Doing all the grunt work can get exhausting, and working in an environment like that takes its toll. Maybe consider another facility, or even a hospital. (Bonus, hospitals may help pay for nursing school!)

Don't let it get you down, wherever you go and whatever you do, there will be places and people that you absolutely can't stand, and some that are amazing.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

You feel like that is what your day consists of because that IS what your day consists of. What don't you like about it?

Being a Nurse in a hospital is nothing like being a CNA for the most part. All the above things are still within your scope of practice but most of it you wont have time to do. You'll probably help the CNAs from time to time when you can, but RNs in a hospital setting pass meds, do assessments, wound care and lots more.....

Sounds like you don't like patient care in general though, so If I were you I would re-think it.