Not what I expected.

[LaLaEm4]

:cry:Hi everyone..

I just finished my first complete round of clinical this weekend. And I'm a wreck. First of all, I can already tell by just one day on the floor how easy it is to get burned out in this field. I understand why, as well.

Let me start by saying that I loved the people part. I loved getting to talk to these people who seem to be ignored by so many of the aides/nurses who worked on the wing I was on. I started to cry countless times, but stopped. I was passing a tray to a gentleman who was looking down, not talking. I just explained who I was and tried to make some small talk but he just kept his head down, and tensed up when the regular aide came in. Then, the phone rang and he picked it up. It was like a complete 180. His voice, his ability to hold this regular, everyday conversation did not match the body that I first saw upon entering the room. I shouldn't be suprised, but I was and still am. It was so hard for me. He couldn't trust me enough to talk to me 'on the phone' like he was doing with whoever had called him. And I didn't blame him, because I was wisked out of there by my instructor when I started to go over the alotted time.

She put me in a room with another man who needed to be fed. I fed him, but had a hard time listening to my instructor talking to him as if he were five years old. I know he wasn't ''all there'' but I still couldn't bring myself to call him pet names and coddle him.

I can't lie, it was really hard for me. I'm sure it is for a lot of other people, as well.

I'm just really scared because I've been working towards nursing for so long and I feel like this is going to turn me off...even though I don't want it to. I love the people part, that's the biggest reason I'm doing this.

I hate saying this, but I don't think geriatrics is for me. I feel selfish saying that, but I honestly believe that it takes a very, very, very special person to be able to work with that age group. I don't think I have it. The only problem is, that's mainly what LNA's are used for in my location, and I feel a little stuck.

I want to love nursing. I love the people. I know I'm helping them, but I just don't think I'm cut out for seeing the same people every day and dealing with all of that.

That may sound so selfish and I apologize, that's the farthest thing I'm trying for. I just feel so depressed by the first few days and it's really weighing on me.

I guess I'm looking for suggestions, tips, options, wisdom, help, anything. Anything.

For anyone who read this whole thing, thank you. I truly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Emma

[love_being_an_aide]

]I'm sorry to hear that your clinical experience has made you question your career path. That's a shame when it happens. When I became an aide, I was afraid of feeling the same way. My experience during training was fine, but when I went onto the floor for the first time to do my week of clinical, I began to feel that I wasn't cut out for this job. But I stuck to it. And I realized that I made the best decision I could have, because now I can't think of another profession I would rather be in. I have no plans to become a nurse, which is rare for someone in this field. But I do know that being a CNA or LNA is good experience for the field. Don't judge a book by it's cover--in other words, don't make a quick decision based on clinical. Depending on where you end up working, you may be able to have more time with the residents. And the best part about spending a lot of time with the same people day in and day out is that you get to KNOW THEM as a person, not only a patient. You get to hear about their lives, their grandchildren, their fears, and their hopes. My friend told me this when I first started working as an aide. She said that she goes into work everyday trying to come up with ways to make the residents feel like their life is starting over. The reason for this is because a lot of older people feel they can't start their lives over in a nursing facility, but that's not true. She tries to get them talking, discovering new things, talking to them about books, gardening, the weather. And it really makes them feel great. I'm sure you will be fine! Have faith. It is a tough field to work in, but the rewards are truly amazing. Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions. :wink2:

[justme1972]

:cry:She put me in a room with another man who needed to be fed. I fed him, but had a hard time listening to my instructor talking to him as if he were five years old. I know he wasn't ''all there'' but I still couldn't bring myself to call him pet names and coddle him.

I AGREE!!!!!!!

I cannot STAND to hear a healthcare worker talk to a patient like a baby.

Good for you...you may have to repeat yourself, you may have to talk a little louder, you may have to talk slowly, but to talk a geriatric patient like a baby....it's just disrespectful.

I had this one guy that had a stroke...he couldnt talk and was partially paralyzed...but I noticed quickly he understood EVERYTHING you said...he wasn't deaf!

I knew this because as soon as I asked a question, he immediately responded...it wasn't the fact he couldn't move much but the time between your request and his attempted action was instant...so there wasn't a thing wrong with his mind.

Another student came in and just started rattling and I told her to "shush!" --because she wouldn't have done that to a patient where it was obvious he could here.

[MaineEMT2RN]

Not everyone is cut out to work in long term care. I know I'm not! I think it's great that you are aware that it's not what you want to be doing. You can't really provide good care if you're miserable. Be kind to yourself - it's doesn't say anything bad about you. LTC is just not your thing. AND there is SO much more to nursing! Don't let this be a roadblock.

[iwillbnrn1day]

i know when i first wanted to become a nurse i decided to go cna classes before going straight to the RN program ! The things i seen in my cna clinicals just made me wanna cry ( i couldnt believe my eyes at the way the residents were being treated. So i decided to become better at what you do. this should make you stronger and a better nurse