just started CNA clinicals

eak16 · Feb 11, 2004

There are nursing jobs that dont require wound care, though these may be more difficult to find as an LPN as opposed to an RN. When you said that you really like "seeing the looks on their faces when you know they appreciate what you are doing" you may want to think about your motivations for nursing. If appreciation is the only things that keeps you going, you are going to run into issues, because most patients wont appreciate you. If there are deeper reasons than that for wanting to be a nurse, then more power to you- you will get used to the wounds.

alk3rainbow · Feb 11, 2004

For my school we take a year of classes to get our LPN and then another year to get our ADN. I want to become an RN though. The more opportunities available to me the better. ..and yes some patients definately do not appreciate you. In fact I've found that a lot of residents like to punch you and hit you when you are just trying to help. I'm used to being underappreciated though, I just like helping people...and for that one patient that does appreciate you, don't you find it worth it then? I've been in the hospital numerous times and I remember all my nurses. Most of the doctors I forget, but I remember my nurses.

Roland · Feb 11, 2004

A bit of Mentholatum, concealed within your nares may help with the smells. TRY to remember that in reality we are creatures of spirit, and not flesh (okay, it doesn't work so well if you are an atheist or agnostic). If you are Christian try to imagine what it must have been like for Jesus, a being of true purity to wash the feet of Lepers (Go see Mel Gibson's new movie for some help on this). Keep going and become an RN, and you will have to do a LITTLE less of the most difficult aspects of what you dread. Keep going after that and become an NP or get a degree in administration, and you will do even less.

tmiller027 · Feb 11, 2004

I just got hired at a local nursing home and will begin my CNA training next week. I know it'll be hard, but I worked with dead bodies when I worked in a funeral home years ago, so I think I can handle the dirtier aspects of the job. I job shadowed at another nursing home last week, and while it didn't look easy, it didn't look horrible either. Having worked in two jails in 5 years, I think I can handle about anything thrown at me.

Tim

AmyLiz · Feb 11, 2004

You get used to the smells, etc. I learned early on in my cna clinicals to breathe through my mouth if there was any chance of anything smelling bad!

Louisepug · Feb 11, 2004

I had my first CNA clinical Sunday. I didn't experience any body parts falling off, but I did get to work with the residents on the Alzheimers/Dementia ward. I personally really enjoyed it and found it challenging. Working with the elderly though isn't for everyone. Personally I feel it is for me :) . What about working in a psych unit. I could be wrong, but I would think that there would be less wound dressing and stuff like that. Just a thought. Louisepug

RedRoses4Me · Feb 11, 2004

:balloons: Well as far as the smells and things you are going to see I think you are just not going to get away from it, you just kinda get used to it. I am fortunate( I really don't like to say that) I have problems with my sinuses so I can't smell half of the time, but I am lucky to have a friend who will switch with me on things I dont like, because of the smell, I can handle some of her residents she dont like to deal with.

I heard that a little vicks under your nose helps.