Strudent4Compassion

I have a lot of hobbies! Wow I have forgotten about them! I knit and love creating things, but never had time because of school. Now, with work it seemed impossible. Today is the 1st day in 2 weeks I get to go to church, so I am extremely excited for that. I get to see my friends and my sunday school munchkins Caring for people does take a lot outta you, I never realized that til working.

Workload, yes. It's my 1st job ever. They put me on full-time for orientation purposes and it's been 2 weeks of full-time. I can't do this. I can't give up. I'll have to try to see how it is part time I guess.

I've been CNA-ing for 2 weeks now. They put me on full-time for orientation purposes. It's burnt me out. I haven't cried so much in my life. This job has gotten me depressed. CNA-ing literally destroyed my drive, passion and excitement for nursing. Now, I don't think nursing is for me. I had a breakdown yesterday and the nurses and cna were so kind to me and supporting me and encouraging me. The staff isn't the problem, it's just the job in general. Another nurse, not from my workplace, said if I can't handle this then how will nursing me. That really crushed me. I don't know. I'm so lost now. I've lost drive to do my best in my pre-requ classes. Is nursing really this difficult? If I can't handle CNA work, then I can't handle nursing?

Today marks the 3rd day of my second week of working as a CNA. The place I work at put me on for full-time for 3 weeks (orientation purposes.) I keep reading about some of the facilities you guys work at and it sounds like a nightmare. I can't say the same about my workplace. They are so kind and helpful and happy. They require 3 weeks of orientation so you get to know the residents. That's awesome, and the nurses are so nice. My co-workers are great and not a pain to be around. My workplace isn't the problem, it's just the geriatric community in general. I got put into a section where there are 2 psych (ish) residents. One's depresses and delusional and another has Parkinson's and has horrible hallucinations when it hits them right. Ahhhhhhhhh....I dread going to work. I work the swing shift. My tummy is in knots and I hold back tears from time to time. I can't really quit now because it would look REALLY bad if I did and I'm still orienting. Today I get 6 residents of my own and I don't know how I'm going to handle it. I know I have my co-workers to help me, and i know they're willing to help, but it's my job I should be able to do it. I'm CNA-ing to get me ahead of the game for the nursing program at my community college because they train you for CNA in your 1 semester of the program. Where I live (Oregon) there's CNA 1 and CNA 2. I have CNA 1 and can only work in LTC's or you know, nursing homes basically. CNA 2's can work in hospitals. I've been looking at CNA 2 listings at hospitals and have found positions for CNA 2 for the children's center at one of the hospitals here. From nearly 2 weeks of working as a CNA, I've learned that I left my heart with the kids. Kids light up my world and make my day so much better. I want to train for CNA 2 and get OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!:dzed: I need advice, suggestions on where to go from here, what to do, what are your experiences.

Hello all! I am so happy to have found this wonderful site. I'm hoping to get some input on my situation: I am a pre-nursing student, Spring term looks like I'll be taking about 18 credits (Nutrition, Biology, Math & Psych) and after Spring I will be nearly done with prerequisites. Last August I got my CNA. I have never worked since I got it, though I do have experience. Today I had an interview for a nursing assistant position in the rehab unit at a nursing home with the DON and another CNA. They showed me around their facility and all and the interview seemed to go very well. However, when I said I was a pre-nursing student the DON quietly said to the CNA something along the lines of "school and work isn't a good idea." So I'm afraid they won't hire me because I'm in school. The ultimate reason that I ever got my CNA was to gain experience and to get me ahead and noticed for when I apply for the nursing program. My parents paid a lot of money for my training and I feel horrible for not putting it to use and it expires on July 7 of this year . Any advice? Thank you!