I work with a guy at a nursing home as a CNA. We are both students working towards our RN. He complains constantly about how he does not like being a CNA but is only tolerating it so he can be more comfortable when it comes to the clinical portion of his nursing requirements. I don't know why this person wants to be a nurse if he doesn't like working as an aide. Too his credit though he is very warm, personable and kind. In your opinions, do you think someone can still be a good nurse if they don't like being a CNA?
. Think about it-- ALL you do is empty bedpans, measure output, take vitals...
Whew! and change endless diapers in LTC!
It is mind numbing, absolutely, and it is not nursing. I still love it though. I guess it is the patients: you really get to know them, and that is so rewarding. I still think nursing must be far more interesting.
I don't think that being a CNA before becoming an RN will make you a better nurse, but I do think it can help you become a better team member and employee. I work as a tech (last semester of ADN) and did so do become more comfortable in the clinical setting, to work on time-management skills and to get my foot in the door in the hospital where I hope to work as an RN.
While I feel that I've gotten the patient care skills down pat from school, working as an aide has given me a new perspective and respect for all UAP's in the hospital. I think it will make me a better delegator and will make me a more aware and repectful member of the nursing team. (wow- don't I sound like a bright, cheery future new grad w/ stars in her eyes, check back with me in 6 mos when I'm tearing my hair out!):roll
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.
Right now I'm taking a CNA class because it is required to enter the LVN program at my school. I don't really like CNA work and never want to work in LTC but I do like the residents. :) I don't mind getting my hands dirty and jump right in to help because I want to learn. I think this experience will be good for me but sometimes I wonder if I"m wasting my time. We learn the same stuff during our first semester of school anyway. But once I"ve got CNA training under my belt I can apply at my local hospital for a hospital aid position in the ED which is where my interests lie.
Wow, this thread is exactly what I need. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm working full time while waiting for nursing school acceptance letters, and my current job is severely discouraging me. It's hard, backbreaking labor that pays dirt, and I wholeheartedly admire those who love it enough to willingly stay in the field and do an excellent job. Although the residents can be wonderful people, I don't think that I could ever work in LTC.
I wouldn't say that CNA experience guarantees a better nurse, but it seems to teach empathy and builds character in the same way that working retail and waiting tables have made me a better person (eg when I go shopping, I clean up after myself and when at a restaraunt, I don't chew out the waiter for not getting to me immediately during dinner rush). The nurses on my floor who were once CNAs are more likely to have empathy. Today, a nurse came and asked me to help another CNA lift a resident while the nurse just stood to the side, not even offering to move the wheelchair. The resident, who happens to be a former nurse, made a comment about how the nurse could be helping out, but the nurse just stated that it wasn't her job. She also ordered us to get all the residents up and into the dining room, never mind the fact that there were only 2 CNAs and we were getting them up well into dinnertime. I'm willing to bet that she was never a CNA.
Today at second shift, only one other CNA showed up. Five is the scheduled ideal. Sadly, this is typical at this job. Also, I've been called into the ADON's office every week since I started the job a month ago because a huge tattletale war is ensuing and I get blamed for trying to diagnose patients, violating HIPAA laws, and slacking off. HA! On my first day on the job, I made the mistake of mentioning a bedsore in the presence of the resident and asking the son of another resident if she had Parkinson's, but was quickly reprimanded and now only make small talk with residents and their families, but I've still been blamed for it every week. As for slacking, the ADON has forbidden me to lift patients without assistance (I do it anyway with the lighter ones because I'd never get anything done otherwise), but wonders why I can't find anyone to help me when there are only 3 CNAs and 2 nurses on duty for 50 people. I also know for a fact that some of the other CNAs get their work done quickly because they don't even bother to do pericare (I've witnessed this several times and learned how to smell whether a resident has had pericare, as well as look for drying BM). On a few occasions, I have clocked out but stayed for about 15-30 minutes to complete my work.
I asked the ADON if she can please provide specific episodes of my reported wrongdoings so I can know what exactly I did wrong, but it's just a weekly flood of circumstancial evidence-based accusations that I've learned to take with a canister of salt. From what I've overheard from co-workers, this ADON will accuse you for everything except what you've actually done wrong, so I feel a little better. I've avoided becoming a part of the tattletale war to prevent getting sucked into the drama, but I have reported a couple serious incidents, such as a CNA not wearing gloves or washing her hands after changing a resident with genital herpes even after I informed her and offered her gloves, and a CNA who is supposed to be doing overtime but spends most of her time on the phone and giving attitude to those who ask for help.
One of my CNA friends (and one of the best, most caring, most efficient CNAs I've ever met) is telling me to get a new job that pays better (I get $6.90/hr when the local hospitals offer at least $9.60/hr but are hard to get into), as she's been a CNA for 4 years and knows that this situation isn't going to get any better at my current job. She told me I need to develop thick skin and get experience as a CNA elsewhere. She also says that I'm getting picked on because I'm a new girl, I'm not very confrontational, and that the bad apples need somebody to be a diversion for their own faults. She said that she used to be in my shoes, but learned how to keep to herself and report bad apples when dangerous situations arose.
Sorry for the rant. I know that I'll have a lot of the same workloads, drama and BS to look forward to once I become a nurse, but I hope that I'll be paid a lot more than $6.90/hr in a better facility.
I don't think that being a CNA before becoming an RN will make you a better nurse, but I do think it can help you become a better team member and employee.
I agree. You definitely get a better idea where someone is coming from if you've been there before.
It could be the environment (working as an aide in a nursing home can be a different beast than on a hospital floor), it could also be that he is simply ready for more responsibility.
I loved working as an aide for a while, but I grew to hate it. Not the actual work, but I think I was just ready for more responsibility, to know more and to do more. Chomping at the bit, so to speak.
So, just because he vents about disliking his job as an aide doesn't mean he won't be a good nurse.
chadash
1,429 Posts
Whew! and change endless diapers in LTC!
It is mind numbing, absolutely, and it is not nursing. I still love it though. I guess it is the patients: you really get to know them, and that is so rewarding. I still think nursing must be far more interesting.