Some information on being a CNA or a RN?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 24, 2005

As a hospital nurse the only time I sat down was during report at the beginning and end of my 8 hour shift. Many years ago we sat down to chart, but not so much today. I almost always got called out of my lunch or break for something that needed to be done for a patient. My feet and ankles hurt at the end of every shift. I've had plantar fasciitis twice which is a very painful condition of the feet. After 28 years I got a ruptured disc in my back and to this day have no idea how it happened because I was always very careful about the way I moved and lifted patients. I've had to deal with patients who were mean and belligerant and some who were confused and hit, but there have been a lot more who were very appreciative of my help.

I made sure I had something to eat and went to the bathroom before I began each work shift. I wore orthotics in my shoes to support my arches and prevent any further problems with plantar fasciitis. I gave up Advil for the pain in my feet and ankles because I almost killed my kidneys. I've had a diskectomy and laminectomy that made my back as good as new.

I loved working with patients. Even the confused ones. I worked on just about every kind of medical unit a hospital can have. I stood by the bedsides of a number of patients who have taken their last breath in my presence. I smelled the worse odors you can imagine coming from a persons wound. If you think this is work that you would like, then go for it.

DinkysKitty · May 24, 2005

I know that if you don't like what your doing, that makes the job more the worse. I hated retail. I was miserable. I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time. Since i was a sophmore in high school. This was my first job, before this I had no idea that even retail would be so tough. Part of my problem was that I just sat around at home and vegged since I had no school. My back was becoming inflammed because it wasn't used to all the activity of standing. I just want to know first what I'll be getting myself into besides being completly blind sided by the retail experience. I know that some patients will be horrible or difficult and some will be a delight to deal with. I'm not sure what floor I want to work in, but I think I may try pediatrics. ..Or even be a floater and be on different units when they need someone.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 24, 2005

I went to nursing school because I thought that I would be good working with people and I wanted to do something helpful. I had been a bookkeeper and hated working in an office. I started feeling that I was not using myself productively.

When I was in nursing school my roommate and I talked about moving to Hawaii and being OR nurses. I never got to Hawaii and I've never worked in the OR. Somehow, I've always managed to find myself working on medical floors. I've also been a nursing supervisor, a head nurse, and an IV therapist. I liked all these jobs. I don't regret not going into the OR. Life is funny. You tend to end up working at what you like or else you move on.

As a nurse you will be standing on your feet for long hours and be constantly interrupted to attend to many problems. You sometimes take abuse from patients, doctors and other nurses. Nurses are primarily problem solvers. You can deal with the sore feet, the varicose veins, and the backaches. The rewards are priceless. Nursing is a profession of service to others. You will experience personal growth you never dreamed of. You will learn as much about yourself as you will about other people. You will make a difference in peoples lives although you may not always know it.

Let me share something with you. Not many nurses would get the honor to have experienced what I am about to tell you. I was very cocky and full of myself in my early career. I was floated to the ICU one night and I was angry about it. I went because someone else had refused to float when it was her to turn to go. I lucked out. Instead of getting two easy patients I was assigned one patient and an empty bed. But, a few hours into the shift I got an admission in the empty bed--an attempted suicide. It was a 19 year old girl who had taken her mother's Valium after her boyfriend had broken up with her. I was irked over the whole thing (a totally wrong attitude, I can now admit). Silently, I was sorry she hadn't been successful because she was making my night at work miserable. But, my training kicked in. I kept my thoughts to myself. I took her vital signs and watched her carefully. And, apparently, I talked to her and told her things like she would look at this differently over time, that I was glad she was alive and that the world needed her to be alive for some reason. I was never so glad to finish my shift and get home and pout. Now, fast forward to three years later. I'm shopping in a local store. One of the young clerks comes up to me, eyes all gooped up with makeup, smiling at me, and says "you don't remember me, do you?" Oh, I remembered the attempted suicide, I just didn't remember what she looked like. It was that girl who had tried to kill herself three years ago and ended up as my patient. She remembered a whole lot more about her night in the ICU than I did. But, what was a real slap in the face for me was how much of an impact the things I had said and done for this kid had affected her. Now, here she was just gushing about how wonderful she felt that she had the chance to be able to thank me for how kind I had been to her that night three years ago. Things were better now. That old boyfriend was a jerk, she said, and she can't imagine why she ever thought she wanted to kill herself over him. Thank you for being so kind to me, she kept saying. I felt so guilty and embarrassed. If she had only known the truth.

So, who really got the benefit here, the patient or the nurse? I truly believe that this happened to me for a reason. Firstly, because I needed to be taken down a peg or two, for sure. But, also, to show me the power of what our humanity, compassion, and kindness can bring out in others. Yes, a nurse does have that much influence. I often wonder how many other lives my actions have affected. People thank nurses all the time, it just doesn't always get back to us.

Every day of your life will be a day of learning and discovery of yourself. Nursing is a profession that will force you to deal with your emotions and feelings moreso than any others. School will provide you with the tools to help deal with these things. I've been sidelined for a bit because of my back but I do miss the work so much. It's challenging and rewarding.

:Melody:

DinkysKitty · May 24, 2005

One area that always interested me was psych.. You'd think after my visit I would want nothing to do with it. I have depression, I used to cut myself and I was suicidal for a long time, I even attempted it a few times. I don't try to hide these things. I am very open about them. When you are a a cutter, your treated like your not a patient. your not seen by anyone in the ER your kept in a small white room until a pych consult comes down to see you. The wounds our left untreated, as long as you dont need stitches. ..From experience, the nurses have no idea what to do with you. They just treat it as a suicide attempt, even though there are no cuts or scarring on teh wrists. i want to help people maybe some young girl like me who had the abusive controling boy friend and just lost it one day and cut her body up. First time I was admitted, I was so afraid and alone.. All I needed was someone to hug me. My parents admited to me, lied to me... And left me. The nurses told me to be quiet and sleep. I'm worried that I will do the same thing that I did with my last job. That I wont be able to get the good enough grades, or I won't be able to deal with the pain.. Or I won't be good at it... I'm afriad to fail. I just want to help people, so they don't feel alone like I did... I never was too good at school, I never applied myself. My attention span is horrible.. And my sense of humour is weird and "inappropriate".. I keep thinking that this would be easier than retail. ..and im rambling...

Trauma Columnist · May 24, 2005

Daytonite - you said it very eloquently. It is not easy being a nurse. However, the special moments when we know we made a difference are what is important.

Blush3250 · May 28, 2005

I went to nursing school because I thought that I would be good working with people and I wanted to do something helpful. I had been a bookkeeper and hated working in an office. I started feeling that I was not using myself productively.
When I was in nursing school my roommate and I talked about moving to Hawaii and being OR nurses. I never got to Hawaii and I've never worked in the OR. Somehow, I've always managed to find myself working on medical floors. I've also been a nursing supervisor, a head nurse, and an IV therapist. I liked all these jobs. I don't regret not going into the OR. Life is funny. You tend to end up working at what you like or else you move on.
As a nurse you will be standing on your feet for long hours and be constantly interrupted to attend to many problems. You sometimes take abuse from patients, doctors and other nurses. Nurses are primarily problem solvers. You can deal with the sore feet, the varicose veins, and the backaches. The rewards are priceless. Nursing is a profession of service to others. You will experience personal growth you never dreamed of. You will learn as much about yourself as you will about other people. You will make a difference in peoples lives although you may not always know it.
Let me share something with you. Not many nurses would get the honor to have experienced what I am about to tell you. I was very cocky and full of myself in my early career. I was floated to the ICU one night and I was angry about it. I went because someone else had refused to float when it was her to turn to go. I lucked out. Instead of getting two easy patients I was assigned one patient and an empty bed. But, a few hours into the shift I got an admission in the empty bed--an attempted suicide. It was a 19 year old girl who had taken her mother's Valium after her boyfriend had broken up with her. I was irked over the whole thing (a totally wrong attitude, I can now admit). Silently, I was sorry she hadn't been successful because she was making my night at work miserable. But, my training kicked in. I kept my thoughts to myself. I took her vital signs and watched her carefully. And, apparently, I talked to her and told her things like she would look at this differently over time, that I was glad she was alive and that the world needed her to be alive for some reason. I was never so glad to finish my shift and get home and pout. Now, fast forward to three years later. I'm shopping in a local store. One of the young clerks comes up to me, eyes all gooped up with makeup, smiling at me, and says "you don't remember me, do you?" Oh, I remembered the attempted suicide, I just didn't remember what she looked like. It was that girl who had tried to kill herself three years ago and ended up as my patient. She remembered a whole lot more about her night in the ICU than I did. But, what was a real slap in the face for me was how much of an impact the things I had said and done for this kid had affected her. Now, here she was just gushing about how wonderful she felt that she had the chance to be able to thank me for how kind I had been to her that night three years ago. Things were better now. That old boyfriend was a jerk, she said, and she can't imagine why she ever thought she wanted to kill herself over him. Thank you for being so kind to me, she kept saying. I felt so guilty and embarrassed. If she had only known the truth.
So, who really got the benefit here, the patient or the nurse? I truly believe that this happened to me for a reason. Firstly, because I needed to be taken down a peg or two, for sure. But, also, to show me the power of what our humanity, compassion, and kindness can bring out in others. Yes, a nurse does have that much influence. I often wonder how many other lives my actions have affected. People thank nurses all the time, it just doesn't always get back to us.
Every day of your life will be a day of learning and discovery of yourself. Nursing is a profession that will force you to deal with your emotions and feelings moreso than any others. School will provide you with the tools to help deal with these things. I've been sidelined for a bit because of my back but I do miss the work so much. It's challenging and rewarding.
:Melody:

That was a beautiful story! I'm a nursing student and my instructor always emphasize that nurses really do have a big impact on their patient lives, more than they realize. Your story only enforces what she says and I can't wait to make a postive impact in some of my patients' lives.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 28, 2005

That was a beautiful story! I'm a nursing student and my instructor always emphasize that nurses really do have a big impact on their patient lives, more than they realize. Your story only enforces what she says and I can't wait to make a postive impact in some of my patients' lives.

The one drawback to being caring and compassionate to other people in their time of crisis is that you won't always get feedback on the impact your actions have had. Somehow we have to find ways to keep our own engines fueled and running in order to keep coming forward to work in this profession. I don't believe that we are able to withdraw emotionally from our patients. Emotional nurturing is a big part of what nursing is all about. I think that those who continue to work in the field have figured out, consciously or unconsciously, how to personally cope in these kinds of situations. I makes me think of some psychology I've picked up along the way in my years of living. When you are in the middle of a very emotional time with a patient take a minute or two to think about who is reaping the benefit of what is going on between the two of you: the patient, you, or maybe both of you! :idea:

Mijourney · May 28, 2005

The one drawback to being caring and compassionate to other people in their time of crisis is that you won't always get feedback on the impact your actions have had. Somehow we have to find ways to keep our own engines fueled and running in order to keep coming forward to work in this profession. I don't believe that we are able to withdraw emotionally from our patients. Emotional nurturing is a big part of what nursing is all about. I think that those who continue to work in the field have figured out, consciously or unconsciously, how to personally cope in these kinds of situations. I makes me think of some psychology I've picked up along the way in my years of living. When you are in the middle of a very emotional time with a patient take a minute or two to think about who is reaping the benefit of what is going on between the two of you: the patient, you, or maybe both of you!

Great, great!

student4ever · Jun 1, 2005

One area that always interested me was psych.. You'd think after my visit I would want nothing to do with it. I have depression, I used to cut myself and I was suicidal for a long time, I even attempted it a few times. I don't try to hide these things. I am very open about them. When you are a a cutter, your treated like your not a patient. your not seen by anyone in the ER your kept in a small white room until a pych consult comes down to see you. The wounds our left untreated, as long as you dont need stitches. ..From experience, the nurses have no idea what to do with you. They just treat it as a suicide attempt, even though there are no cuts or scarring on teh wrists. i want to help people maybe some young girl like me who had the abusive controling boy friend and just lost it one day and cut her body up. First time I was admitted, I was so afraid and alone.. All I needed was someone to hug me. My parents admited to me, lied to me... And left me. The nurses told me to be quiet and sleep. I'm worried that I will do the same thing that I did with my last job. That I wont be able to get the good enough grades, or I won't be able to deal with the pain.. Or I won't be good at it... I'm afriad to fail. I just want to help people, so they don't feel alone like I did... I never was too good at school, I never applied myself. My attention span is horrible.. And my sense of humour is weird and "inappropriate".. I keep thinking that this would be easier than retail. ..and im rambling...

I think it's great that you want to take your experiences with the toughness of life and use them to help others get through the tough times. The experiences you have had will help you to maintain compassion for others, because you've been on the other side of the bedrail. I understand the fear of failure - I have a friend who wanted to go into nursing but was terrified she would fail out, and not be able to make it. She struggled with school, and since her mom is a nurse, she was so afraid that if she tried and didn't make it, her mother would never respect her as an intelligent person. I encouraged her for two years while we were roommates, telling her that I believed she could make it through nursing school and would become a wonderful nurse. This friend of mine graduated a year ago with an A/B average from one of the toughest nursing schools in our area. She had some of the same things as you're describing - difficulty staying focused on details, short attention span, etc. She went for testing at my recommendation (I thought she had dyslexia - she mixed up letters and numbers something awful!) and it turns out she has ADD (oops, guess I was wrong in my "diagnosis!") and since she started on medication, her grades have improved dramatically, and she has a lot more confidence. Maybe you should get tested for learning difficulties - it's worth a try, and you may just find out that you're smarter than you think!

Okay, so I've been rambling a bit. What I really want to say is that if you're looking for a job to get you off your feet, nursing isn't it. But having done retail myself, I find that the constant motion and different physical activities involved in nursing care helps with the pain of being on your feet for such a long time. If you're still trying to decide whether or not nursing is for you, I would suggest volunteering at your local hospital so you can see first hand what nurses do. Also, you could take a CNA course (they usually don't take more than a semester to complete) and see if you enjoy the coursework and feel like you could take it farther. Then you can work at a hospital or long term care facility and get a much better idea of whether or not nursing is for you. There are a lot of options out there, take advantage of them. Most of all, believe in yourself. You can do whatever you set your mind to! Good luck with your search, I hope you find the answers you need!

Maggie_RN07 · Jun 8, 2005

I worked in retail prior to working at the hospital as a CNA. I was on my feet less in retail than in the hospital; because in retail I got my lunch each and every day that I worked. In the hospital, I could flip a quarter and that would probably be a reliable means of me getting a lunch. I work 12 hour days as well as go to school. Makes for some long hours. Shadow a CNA at a local hospital and see what you think. I personally like being a CNA better than retail, but ONLY because it helps me figure out what I like in nursing and what I don't. But only you can deside! Best of luck to you!!

Maggie.