any LVNs who miss being a CNA?

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When I became a CNA I intended to go on to be an LVN. I only worked in one nursing home and I never went on to LVN because from what I saw, 95% of their time was spent charting. I liked spending time with the residents. The charge nurses for whatever shift I was working would be there already when I clocked in charting and when I left would still be charting. As far as I could tell they only had direct contact with the res. when they passed meds or dressings once and a while, then chart chart chart.

I kinda formed the opinion that the further up the latter you go the less time with patients/ residents and more paper work. Now I am going back to work form being a stay at home mom for a while, my Husband has a injury and I dono when he'll have income, a CNA income alone might be OK but things would be real tight so I've been thinking of going to school part time while I work to better provide for my family. So my questions are...

was this just my excpierince? Are all nursing homes like this? I know as charge nurse paper work would increse but in all places is it that heavy everyday?! and in Hospitals what is the LVN excperince like? Do you have more direct contact? Is there's anyone whoes done both that could tell me the differance? Or any LVNs who miss being a CNA? any advice at all?:confused:

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I don't miss being an aide at all, primarily for the monetary reasons.

When I was working as an aide in 2000 and 2001, I was earning $8 hourly and living with my parents in southern California. I know that money is not everything, but $8 is not much to live on, especially when you've got a backbreaking job.

The LVN role was far more stressful for me and much more riddled with paperwork, but at least I was able to amass some middle class comforts such as a house, cars, and a nicely-sized savings account due to the money that I was earning.

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When you have a family that depends upon you for their support, you have to put your preferences aside and do what is in the best interest of the family. Across the board, an LVN earns more than most CNAs, and an RN earns more than most LVNs. Attain as much education as you can so that you can bring home the best paycheck with the best benefits. You never want to limit yourself when your family's well-being is at stake.

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Specializes in Home Health, Education.

I agree with Caliotter, education opens doors, both financially and professionally. Because of this belief, I am beginning pre-reqs my local community college after being an LPN for almost a year. No, I don't miss being a CNA (I was one for 1 year before starting nursing school, but quit once school started). However, I still help take a patient to the bathroom or change a brief once in awhile if the aides are all busy.

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wow at that same time I was making 10.55hr in NoCal.

It's amazing how different the salaries can be epically when we lived in the same state.

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Specializes in psychiatric, med/surg, cardiac, LTC, HHA.

I made $15.50/hr as a CNA, and I hated LTC, (mostly b/c backbreaking, i had almost 30 residents a night, and NEVER enough time to give each resident, what they deserved) I enjoyed Home health 1:1 with my clients as a CNA, and AFC where I had time with them. Im 3 1/2 months from graduating as an LPN, then doing LPN-BSN, mostly for the $$, I too have a family that needs and deserves it. But also for climbing the ladder, and success. My view, yes I LOVE pt contact, and being able to give them undivided attention, and unfortunately your not always able to. (depending where you work) But the great thing with nursing, is there are LOTS of options, and different things you can do/work. You cant beat a good education, and Ive worked with many nurses that were previous CNAs and you can tell the difference. You would make a GREAT nurse, go for it!

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I made $15.50/hr as a CNA, and I hated LTC, (mostly b/c backbreaking, i had almost 30 residents a night, and NEVER enough time to give each resident, what they deserved) I enjoyed Home health 1:1 with my clients as a CNA, and AFC where I had time with them. Im 3 1/2 months from graduating as an LPN, then doing LPN-BSN, mostly for the $$, I too have a family that needs and deserves it. But also for climbing the ladder, and success. My view, yes I LOVE pt contact, and being able to give them undivided attention, and unfortunately your not always able to. (depending where you work) But the great thing with nursing, is there are LOTS of options, and different things you can do/work. You cant beat a good education, and Ive worked with many nurses that were previous CNAs and you can tell the difference. You would make a GREAT nurse, go for it!

:) thanks for the encouragement. I actually didn't care for home-care I like the community feeling of LTC. but yeah I am going to go for it, and like you said the great thing about nursing there's so many options.

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