Should I just quit nursing?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I am not sure if I will be a good nurse after my experience as a CNA in a nursing home.

I just finished my 5 day orientation at the nursing home and started working myself 2 days ago. I am given 11 residents who ranged from semi dementia to somewhat independent. I know working in nursing homes gets easier the more you the know the residents but I am beginning to think I just lack the intelligence and common sense to be a nurse.

I also have a hard time understanding the residents and what they want. Some would tell me what to do and I try to do it, but it is always wrong to them.

I am sometimes forgetful as well, like my first day where I had to put 8 residents to bed and left one with their pants on with her gown over her, because I had another resident who was demanding to be put to bed. I ended up forgetting about the one with pants still on in bed. I also left one their dentures on the table because it took so much time to put one to bed, so i forgot about it. Which shows lack of observation from me.

I want to enjoy being a nurse to help others but I just don't know if I have the skills to acomplish this. I also hate how CNA's are being treated like slaves by some family members visiting. I am miserable everytime I come in to work.

What makes it worse is that I just got accepted into the RN program.

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

Working as a CNA in nursing homes is physically, mentally and socially hard. I personally wouldn't want to do it unless I was about to become homeless.

However, I worked as a nurse in LTC for six years. Believe me when I say that licensed nursing is physically less grueling than working as an aide at a nursing home.

My opinion might be controversial, but I think it is possible for a person to be a good nurse even if they were a substandard CNA. Nursing is knowledge work: we are not paid for what we do, but for what we know. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Long term care.

Don't be discouraged!

All those things that you mentioned...forgetting that you had a resident half undressed, not knowing what a resident is specifically asking you to do, those things are all very common and "typical" ESPECIALLY for a new CNA.

You are being much to hard on yourself! It is hard work being a CNA and you have so much going on all at once. It really does take time to get a routine and to get to know your residents. It can take a month to get into the groove of things.

Give it at least a month.

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just need to ride it out for awhile until you finish nursing school, Being a CNA is a hard and demanding job, as young as I am I feel that I get burnt out and tired just from one shift when im working and also drag myself to work. Although I do work in the hospital so its a different pace but its a hard job overall. just try to suck it up and get the experience and work in a hospital. I know nursing homes are a tougher place to be with the lifting especially. Nursing school will open up doors for you because once you finish theres so many options and specialities to choose from. goodluck

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You just started. Give it a couple of months. Everything has a learning curve for newbies. It's gonna be similar when you're a NEW nurse, but you'll get over your anxiety. After a while, you'll gain experience annd things will get better. Find someone who's willing to mentor you. Maybe on break ask for advice about the residents from someone who's seasoned.

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I've been a cna for 11 years. Believe me that I was In the same position when I started. There is a lot to remember.

Do what you can to get people to bed and then do your own rounds go check your work. Dentures? Hearing aides? Tidied up? Alarm? As you get more Proficent at this it will become a routine and you won't have to check on yourself as much.

Also, take a few minutes when you come on to prep your residents room for care if you work eves. Get out a brief, night clothes, washcloths, towel. I don't recommend leaving this on the bed (dignity issue) but you can usually find somewhere. The more you have prepped the easier it is.

Dont give up.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Just try to get a position at an assisted living facility :-)

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I;ve been a CNA for almost two years and what your saying is normal. We as cnas have so much going on and to do and we tend to forget things. I also don't understand what a resident is trying to say, thats when you get another Cna or point at things. We are treated like slaves, that why I'm trying to leave this field now. Its very stressful and I'm in nursing school and think I won't be a good nurse and don't know If I want to. But God let you start there for a reason and it'll make you a better nurse and when your a nurse you'll treat your cnas better. I've dread going to my job since I've started. Get experience and try to get something better.

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Working as a CNA in nursing homes is physically, mentally and socially hard. I personally wouldn't want to do it unless I was about to become homeless.
It is definitely. While it is hard on the body and mind and grueling in general, I love the residents. All 60 of them!

However, I worked as a nurse in LTC for six years. Believe me when I say that licensed nursing is physically less grueling than working as an aide at a nursing home.

This statement is also very very true!

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