Lately, I am not enjoying being a CNA. What does this mean for my nursing career?

[_kay]

Hey everyone!

I have been a caregiver/CNA for about 8 years. I decided to make the jump to nursing a few years ago and just started applying to nursing schools this month.

After taking a break from CNA work for almost a year because of school, I have come to the realization I don't enjoy it as much as I used to. Currently I am working for an agency and am moved around between facilities. I don't mind all the dirty work and I enjoy the patients. The problem I am having is that I am always so damn busy. Call light after call light after call light. There is no time to genuinely take with the patients. Also I feel like I work with so many bad CNA's and that doesn't help. Yes, it might be because I am agency, but they pay a lot more - in general, I feel like CNA's are under paid and at least this makes it more worth it.

Let me know what all of you guys think! Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Do you think I am just burnt out? Do you hate CNA work, but love being an RN? I know there are so many possibilities with nursing and that makes me very excited, but would like to hear everyone's opinion.

Thanks!

K

[Luchador, CNA, EMT-B]

I've been working as a CNA for an agemcy while I'm in RN school. It blows: always understaffed with call lights going off and an endless chain of pissed off people because they've been waiting and waiting for me to show up to change or toilet them. When you work for an agency you can be sure any ltc you get sent to is an understaffed s--- show.

I started working for an agency that mostly just does home health and now I only go to people's homes. It's much more mellow.