Starting to dislike my NA job, but still want to be an oncology nurse.

[Jingles39]

Hi, folks. Let me start off with a bit of background info. about me: past experience as caregiver to my mom who ultimately lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 47. Approximately 9 years experience working as a medical assistant, the most recent experience being 4 years ago.

Fast forward to this past summer: After watching a hospice nurse on youtube singing to a ALS patient, I suddenly have a lightbulb moment where I realise that my absolute calling in life is to be a nurse, not just ANY nurse, but a nurse who deals with cancer patients, this sickest of the sick, the dying. Every fiber of my being is telling me that I belong helping cancer patients to live their last days in comfort and peace....I don't know why this didn't occur to me 11 years ago while I watched my mom's struggle, but for whatever reason it has hit me now and hit me HARD.

So...my plan is now to start my pre-req's in 2011 and begin nursing school in 2012. In the meantime I decide to work as a nursing assistant in an assisted living facility on their alzheimer/dementia unit which I have been doing for approx. 3 weeks now....Sadly, I'm beginning to dislike this job very much

The past 3 weeks have consisted of basically nothing more than serving dinner (I work 3-11), showering the residents, putting them to bed and doing laundry...I don't want to offend anyone, but I'm finding this to be extremely menial and boring. As if that's not bad enough, I'm also realising that I miss having a "variety" of people to work with...In the doc's offices I worked with all ages and mental capacities....Now it's elderly, alz/dementia residents and nothing BUT elderly, alz/dementia residents and I just don't feel a burning desire to spend every entire working shift with this particular population.

I'm feeling SO bad about this. I'm known as the one with the huge heart for the elderly, and it's not that I'm against the "dirty" jobs at all...but when EVERY shift is nothing more than what I've described above, it really becomes...well...very boring and unfulfilling for me.

So, now that I've written a book, (sorry), my main question is this: do you think I can still make a good oncology nurse?

[Butterfly0328]

My opinion is yes. You can't disregard that "light bulb moment". It happened for a reason. I have not worked with the elderly nor the cancer patients, but I would think that working as an oncology nurse is nothing at all like what you are doing now. That is like comparing oranges to tomatos. Also, just because you find this work boring does not mean you are a terrible person. Trust your heart. The light bulb moment could have been a sign sent to your from your mother. Not sure if you believe in that sort of thing or not, but I certainly do and I would not think twice about persuing it. Good Luck and God Bless. You will make an incredible Oncology nurse one day.:)

[Thirdwatch]

I also disliked my job as a CNA, which consisted of mostly blending the food for the patients. I left the job two weeks ago and now. Continue applying for other places. You should find something less boring. Good luck!

[shaas, ASN, RN]

I think that it is perfectly normal to feel bored and disappointed when the scope of our duties are limited and monotonous. It is okay to say that you do not like certain aspects of caregiving and prefer doing something else. This is not different than those who do not get satisfaction from assembly-line factory work.

Repetition of certain tasks make it very difficult to give our brains needed motivation and focus, as we all require differing degrees of stimuli and challenges that suit us, and each of us certainly differ in what constitutes those criteria. So, it's our job to experience things and sort which is our best fit.

It's okay to not like what you do while experiencing and figuring out where you can both excel and feel the highest degree of satisfaction. Just focus on your ultimate goal (and this can change with time, also).

Best of luck in your pursuits!

[RevolutioN2013]

To the OP your path sounds similar to what mine will be...pre-reqs throughout 2011 and entry to NS in mid-2012. I'll finish my CNA I in March and plan to immediately enroll in CNA II (I know they don't have this in all states). I also have found some medical terminology textbooks and flashcards cheap on Ebay and have ordered those. I want to do whatever I have to do to get hired as either a CNA I, CNA II, or unit secretary/CNA combo in my local hospital and I feel getting my CNA II and having strong medical terminology skills will help me. I do NOT want to work in an SNF any longer than I have to for the very reasons so many people have described on this site.