Second guessing myself need advice

AspiringNurseMW · Jun 27, 2016

What PART don't you enjoy?

You have to realize that while being a CNA is a great foundation for nursing, the jobs are SO completely different.

In my class there are a lot of people who became CNA's while they worked on prerequisites. Some hate it but love clinicals.

Are there hospitals nearby? Afterwards few months/1 year experience could you apply to work in the hospital setting? Very very different.

Moenine9 · Jun 27, 2016

Thanks for responding. I just really dont enjoy working with the elderly or dealing with the families. Im super good with the educational part- the science behind the human body but im terrible with the interpersonal aspect. I have been working as a CNA for 2 years now (Same place) and I just am afraid that if I dont enjoy being a CNA there im screwed if I want to be a nurse:/

LaneyB · Jun 27, 2016

I like being a nurse, but I wouldn't enjoy working in assisted living either. I know nurses who love the elderly, but would hate pediatrics. There are many areas of nursing I think I would enjoy, and many I wouldn't. Definitely not a red flag to me.

Moenine9 · Jun 27, 2016

Thanks for the reassurance. Yeah I think it might just be The population I'm working with. I really have a passion for women's health (maternity/midwifery) and want to get my IBCLC. You just hear often that if you don't enjoy being a CNA that you won't like being a nurse. I mean some days I enjoy my job but I would not be happy doing it day after day.

moretonel · Jun 28, 2016

I hear you loud and clear. I became a CNA while taking prerequisites for nursing. I was at a LTC facility for 1.5 years before I started working in a hospital as a PCT - I REALLY don't like the LTC population, but I know that my goal of being an ER nurse will be nothing like a CNA at a LTC facility. Even being a PCT at a hospital is different from being a CNA at a LTC facility, although the majority of patients are mid-life to elderly. As a PCT I do many more clinical tasks than I ever did as a CNA - non-sterile dressing changes, blood sugar testing, bladder scanning, apply continuous passive motion (CPM) machines (for passive ROM exercise), EKGs. The majority of patients are independent or need minimal assistance - that right there makes a huge difference, no where near the amount of briefs being changed.

I'm 2/3 the way through my LPN program. All clinicals are done in LTC; however, the different role (LPN vs CNA) makes the possibility of working in LTC NOT unbearable. I've know first hand the experience of working as an LPN is much different than the experience of working as a CNA at a LTC, which by the way is different from working in a hospital as a PCT.

They're all different experiences. Not liking one (CNA in assisted living) does not mean you will not like any other.

Labmom1118 · Jul 7, 2016

You might look for a CNA job in OB. We love our CNAs and, while the job is completely different from being an RN, you can learn a lot and get your foot in the door if that's what you really want to do after graduation.

sourapril · Jul 8, 2016

I worked as a CNA in a nursing home (a really bad one) for 2 weeks. They had no trainings. I didn't feel safe or motivated. Then I got a job as a CNA at a teaching hospital. Big difference. Just like different types of nursing jobs, there are different CNA positions. You are going to be a great nurse, you just need to find your niche.