Started new job and ready to quit

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After being laid off from a job of many years, I went to CNA school in hopes of learning something new. I finished in Dec 2010 and started my first job part time a few days ago. I am ready to quit. The rooms are dirty, we are always short staffed, I had 14 residents last night on 3-11 and the way we do dinner is a total joke. I do no vitals there. It's nothing but changing. Thats it. I fee like this was a total waist of money and I am ready to walk. Would I do better at a hospital?

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Well, one, it's not nothing but changing. It's helping someone who is unable to care for themselves in whatever way necessary - changing, bathing, dressing, eating. Two, if you work in healthcare, you're going to be working short staffed often. It's just the nature of it.

You might do more vitals at a hospital (normally with a machine), but hate to tell you, the majority of your job will still involve changing and toileting people. Many hospitals also won't hire someone without experience.

But it sounds like you've already made up your mind, anyway.

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Specializes in ICU.

It's hard to say if a hospital would be better.

On a general floor I *always* had more than 14 patients. But there was not too much bedchanging - most of my patients were continent and could self-shower. Lots of vitals, blood sugars, running up and down the hall for this or that or that other thing.

I got bored with it really easy, it was very mundane...I don't like that it's not very mentally challenging but IS physically exhausting. After a year on a tele floor I was burned out.

Other departments were a much better fit for me (ICU, ER, NICU, Peds, GI, etc.) but those are much harder to get in to. I had to do my year on tele before I was considered for a transfer.

IF you can get a job in a hospital, give it a shot and see if it's a better fit for you. I would try to give the current job a little more time, though...and don't burn any bridges when you leave.

I hope things start looking up for you soon, one way or another!

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Specializes in LTC.

It seems like every few days there is another thread saying the exact same thing. I felt the same way at first. They don't do it how they we learned it in clinicals! I think if you give it a chance you will like it. I spent three months wondering why the heck I ever went to become a CNA. After I got in my groove, I loved it. Hospital work is NOT the savior most CNA's think it is...It is equally hard and sometimes even harder depending on how busy the day is. It tends to pay more though, but they are pretty hard to get into and since you are a new CNA it is not very likely.

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I fill the same way right now.I have been a cna since august 2010.I am on my 2nd nursing home job because the first one I had was horrible.It was dirty,pay was horrible and understaffed.This new job is better but I feel like the only thing I do is change people.That is fine because I know that is part of the job.I just recently had a job interview at a hospital and I waiting on their response.I really think I will like this job better.My advice to you is to try a different nursing home or try to get into a hospital.Good Luck to you!!

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It took me 7 months to even get the job at the hospital.Alot of hospitals perfer a least 6 months experience.

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Also realize that many hospital shifts are 12 hours long. I don't see how that's possible but at least in this part of the country it's typical. Don't feel bad that you tried CNA work and found it's not what you thought it would be, or you feel bored and unchallenged. If you live in a place where there are other choices for CNA work such as hospitals or home health, then go after those and see how it goes for you.

I got into CNA work because I thought it would be a good career with good pay potential. For me, it's neither. There are only 2 small hospitals in this area and every time there's a job posted, every single CNA in the whole area applies, so my chances of getting hired on there are just about nil -- also many of the hospital jobs are 'on-call' or per diem. Home health jobs in this area are widely spread out over a large rural area and I'm likely to dump a lot of my take-home pay down the gas tank if I do that kind of work.

The attrition rate at the LTC facility where I work is high because people get so fed up and quit or get fired.........but there's quite a large core of CNA's here who don't seem to mind working in the same place year after year, making the same lousy pay, doing the same thing every day, and don't mind working in a job with no chance of advancement and having to struggle each month to pay their bills. I'm not one of them. I'm qualified for medical administrative work and highly experienced, but this job market is fierce and I haven't found a job in this field yet so I'm stuck where I'm at.

Until CNA work pays better and doesn't break my back, I'm through with it. Been there, done that, trying not to let door hit my butt on the way out. :mad::no::banghead:

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I don't think that you can give anything a fair chance in that short amount of time. Although you dislike the job I would suggest that you continue for at least 3 months to find out if this is a career path you wish to pursue.

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It might be better for you at a hospital but you have to be hired at a hospital before you can find out. Jobs in hospitals are not easy to obtain. Make certain you have a new job lined up before you quit the one you have now.

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I thank everyone for the answers. I just think I need to get in the swing of things. Deep down inside, I think I know it's where I want to be. I like it when those sweet little lady residents give me that wave and smile when I walk on to the floor. I guess I have to allow some time before I can really tell. :rolleyes:

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Consider a move up the ladder to nursing in your future for more challenge and better pay. At least keep your mind open for that opportunity. It can make things more tolerable if you have goals.

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Of course you're gonna hate it in the first 3 days...maybe even 3 weeks or 3 months! Most every new job sucks whether its in health care, accounting, construction, teaching, etc. You won't truly enjoy something until you've given yourself a chance to get the hang of it. And like someone else said earlier...the majority of your job includes changing! If the resident could do it themselves then they wouldn't need you there to do it for them. Changing someone is one of the most easiest duties believe it or not. I'd pick changing someone over assisting with an enema any day! You're just not used to doing a new line of work. You will get used to all of it eventually and look back with great sense of accomplishment, hang in there! Man up :)

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