New CNA, wondering if nursing is really for me?

Maxs · Jun 2, 2005

IMO, nobody likes being a CNA. People will eventually be burnt out and give up. High school science is a lot different from the sciences required for nursing. It's not like one will study about planets and plants. Also, I don't think you should let your high school science grades, determine your performance in health sciences. And I don't think you should give up because we all have different strength's. Anyhow, you must due your best to improve your weaknesses. The things that hold most people back are: money, family, availabilities, laziness and the mental block they build up.

Maxs

mstigerlily · Jun 2, 2005

I hated science in school and I found being a CNA to be a grueling and rather thankless job. But I LOVE being a nurse.

I mean, who WOULD enjoy doing toileting, feeding, transferring and pericare/mouthcare all day? The field of nursing is wide open, so many things you can do. Working as a CNA gives you a good base to start with and makes you appreciate your co-workers later when you are an RN.

Melissa

Hello
After working as a CNA in a long term care center I have found myself disliking the type of care I have to give. The job is too physical and I find myself questioning wether or not I should really become an RN. I never liked science in school and I originally wanted to become a sociologist. I don't know what to do? Is there any one who has similarily disliked working as a CNA, but does enjoy nursing? Thanks

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2005

I agree with Maxs - NOBODY likes being a CNA. Even if you love your workplace, your coworkers, the relationships you form with the patients - you still dislike the actual WORK. But I do think it's an important step in becoming a nurse - you gotta do your time in the trenches to learn everything.

I hated my CNA job - med/surg CNA, floated to all the adult floors. I did all the "gross" stuff and was usually much to busy (usually had 15-20 patients) to spend much time with any one person. But I don't regret it, because it opened my eyes to a lot of stuff. It's also invaluable experience for when you start your nursing school clinicals.

BTW, I absolutely LOVE my nursing job. And I think nursing is equal parts science and psychology.

Sheri257 · Jun 2, 2005

Keep in mind that just because you become an RN, doesn't mean you won't do CNA work. There are some hospitals that don't have CNA's and there are some positions, like ICU, that may not have have CNA's.

And, even if you're one of those RN's that refuses to do CNA stuff no matter what ... keep in mind that if the CNA doesn't do it, it's on your license. So, if the patient suffers skin breakdown because they weren't changed during the shift, it's the RN's responsibility.

:coollook:

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 2, 2005

Keep in mind that just because you become an RN, doesn't mean you won't do CNA work. There are some hospitals that don't have CNA's and there are some positions, like ICU, that may not have have CNA's.
And, even if you're one of those RN's that refuses to do CNA stuff no matter what ... keep in mind that if the CNA doesn't do it, it's on your license. So, if the patient suffers skin breakdown because they weren't changed during the shift, it's the RN's responsibility.

Good advice. Give it more time. Seems to me, you are trying to rush to a decision. Being a CNA will give you a really good view of what nursing is like, not just by what you do, but by observing nursing and what IT does. Good luck to you. Take your time deciding what is best.

neuronursein06 · Jun 2, 2005

With re: to the Sociology...think long and hard with THAT major about what you could do with it. You really need a PhD, or at least a masters, to do anything out of college with that degree...trust me, I was a soc major before switching to psych.

Not a nurse yet, but was a CNA on a tele floor for 2 yrs before taking a nurse externship on a stem cell transplant floor....the difference in the types of patient care on hte 2 floors is amazing. I assumed I'd always be wiping *ss as a nurse too....but the patients on my current floor are much more critically sick in a different way. Point being, as someone said, for certain if you work in a hospital setting, it comes with the gruling work...but nursing is so flexible that I'm guessing you'd be able to find your niche.

Good luck!