Long term CNAs out there, not going immediately into nursing?

Little Miss Coffee · Jun 5, 2011

Oh yeah, I'd also love to know how you get around the "but you are smart enough to be a doctor, or nurse, or whatever, why are you a butt wiper?" mentality from people?

This speaks to me.

Actually, I AM going into nursing, but not for a couple years. But I had to comment about the relevance of that statement. Despite people knowing that it's not my permanent career choice, they still seem to remind me of their highly uninformed feelings.

I hate it. Respond with "Well, you're a smart person, too - why can't you tell the difference between your business and mine?"

But for me I generally respond that the job is important and rewarding and it's about sooooooo much more than butt-wiping. :)

For you, though, I think the fact that you are a mom with parental responsibilities and many other responsibilities is a good reason to give for not wanting to spend all that time and money at school when a part-time CNA job works just fine.

BombshellMama · Jun 6, 2011

I'm reading both of these posts and I'm very much with you all. I would like to become a nurse someday, but I don't see myself practically being able to throw myself 100% into school right now.

Oh yeah, I'd also love to know how you get around the "but you are smart enough to be a doctor, or nurse, or whatever, why are you a butt wiper?" mentality from people?

You just have to look at it as many people have part time jobs they are too qualified or not challenged by. If you have to pick between the average part time job working retail, waiting tables, or working as a CNA which is already in your interests, I'd say working as a CNA is the most rewarding.

Also, don't underestimate the networking ability of working in your field!

CNABESS · Jun 6, 2011

I have a degree in a completely unrelated field, started nursing school many years ago, did not finish because my first son was born and was sick. I stayed home and had another child. Never wanted to go back to work. I LOVED being a stay at home mom! After raising my boys (who are now adults and on their own), I decided I wanted to do something worthwhile and work part time. I chose not to go back to nursing and am very happy in my part time CNA job at a rehab hosp. I love the work and I do not regret one bit my decision to not continue on. I do not need to make a living at this job, so that may make a big difference in how I feel. I am able to take those French classes I always wanted to take and still work my part time hours. So it is a wonderful mix for me. I am always amazed by people that cannot accept the decisions other people make. As far as the butt wiping comments go, I always respond with, "SOMEbody needs to wipe butts, and I am not so high myself that I feel I am too good for such things. Some day you will thank the person who is willing to wipe yours." I wish you all the best and hope you are happy and content in your decision.

AJ_427 · Jun 6, 2011

I am a CNA and I never wanted to be a nurse. The thought of becoming a nurse never crossed my mind. I know that this career is not for me. Honestly, my CNA job is a way to put something on my graduate school application. I am a Biology/Pre-Med major (was bioengineering first) and I love it. I do want to get a PhD some day too. As of right now, I am keeping my options open. I am definitely going to graduate school or some professional school (med, PA, pharmacy, dentistry, etc.)

I wanted to start at the very bottom. Trust me, I appreciate nurses and CNA's so much more and have more respected for them. I could never make CNA job my career. I've met people who have been CNA's for 10-20 years but that is not for me. I don't hate the job but I don't want any back problems when I'm in my 30s or 40s (the amount of lifting I'm doing right now is awful). Plus, CNA's can't really move up unless they become nurses.

As for "'but you are smart enough to be a doctor, or nurse, or whatever, why are you a butt wiper?' mentality," it never gets to me. Someone has to do it. Most of us will live to be old and we will probably wear diapers. When those people get old, they will realize how important CNA's are.

Starting school or changing careers in not easy. It takes time and dedication. You have to find the right time so you can balance family and school/career. When you feel like it's time to start school, you will know it. Don't rush into things because you will just add more stress and worry. Good luck!

allnurses Guide · Jun 6, 2011

Being a CNA was an extremely good fit for me.

I left LTC to be a stay at home mom.

I did not even start my prereq's for RN until about 15/16 years after my CNA experience began.

I feel no shame for it.

It is a valuable job and if it paid better, I would not be pursuing an RN.

Some people choose to remain a CNA and if that is what they are comfortable with, that is their business.

There is always a lot of pressure to move on, but you move on when you are ready or if you want to at all.

I never wanted to be a nurse, but life has a weird way of working.

LaterAlligator · Jun 8, 2011

I'm likely to remain a CNA for several more years since I can only afford to go to school part -time. If it paid more, I'd be less likely to be trying to pursue more education & become a nurse. But almost all my coworkers are on food stamps, and I don't want to remain this poor once I have children. So I need to work my way up so I can afford to have babies. If my husband earned more it might be different, but he doesn't. I love my coworkers who are career CNA's though, they are experts at time management & are so good at relating to the resident's families.

radicalsenseofhope · Jun 9, 2011

Thanks so much for the replies everyone. Your support is very motivating! Right now this just makes sense for me. My husband has a good paying job (and benefits should something ever happen to him) and I only want/need to work part time to make some extra money and to fulfill my need to be out there helping people. Being an aid allows me to keep homeschooling and raising my kids and feel fulfilled outside of the home as well. Maybe someday I will go on to become a nurse, but for right now, being "just an aid" just makes sense. :)

(and I should add that fear of furthering education has nothing to do with it. I took all the prereq classes over 10 yrs ago with all As and one B. At this stage of my life, I just don't want the student loans or the time requirement of nursing school).

And if I ever decide to go on for my RN, the hospice place that I want to work at offers tuition reimbursement for employees that work at least 24 hours a week. So that may be an option for getting my RN after my kids are grown.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Hearing from others was very very helpful for me to come to terms with this decision!

Some of the most important jobs in society are often not held in high esteem and offer little to no monetary rewards. Judge your value as a person on your contributions to humanity, not by your paycheck or the esteem of the label placed upon you.