This might be really mean but I have to say it...

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So I am doing clinicals for Nursing Assisting and every single patient in this Long Term Care facility looks like a melted fat puffy blob moaning in pain on a bed. It's terrifying, I don't even know if I want to go back to school tomorrow. I know their medications make them look like that but it's still scary to me. Are all CNA jobs going to be me helping melted blobs moaning in pain on a bed? I can't take it. I feel bad for them but am wondering what other CNA jobs I could take? I feel the best helping children...what kind of CNA jobs can I get working with children or babies? Please help.

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
This might be really mean but I have to say it...

So I am doing clinicals for Nursing Assisting and every single patient in this Long Term Care facility looks like a melted fat puffy blob moaning in pain on a bed.

I wouldn't call that mean; I would call it insensitive, demeaning, degrading, disrespectful, and immature.

No, you don't have to say it.

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You obviously wanted to read the drama since you all came here.

Your thread title is "This is really mean, but I have to say it..." I'd say that people would be pretty interested in knowing what you were about to throw out. I don't understand what the purpose of your comment is?

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This post is a great example of why future RNs should take CNA training - it is a great way to see if you can handle the work. That is why I took CNA training before committing to being a nurse. Fortunately, I found the work hard, but fulfilling. I had decided if I couldn't handle the CNA work, I would not pursue being a nurse.

The OP should definitely consider another career path and there is no shame in realizing CNA is not the gig for you. If you like to work with children, then there are a lot of options: Med Asst for a pediatrician, teaching assistant, daycare, etc. Please think about other possible careers. Good luck.

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You may want to change your field of work. Normally when a patient needs a CNA or a nurse its because they need to be in bed and cannot care for themselves. Especially being a CNA, your job is to clean up bodily fluids that can be sweat, diarrhea, vomit, blood etc. Many of your residents will suffer from edema and breathing issues. They will sometimes smell, have sores, and just not be a very pretty sight. Being a nurse or CNA requires empathy bc it influences your caretaking skills. If you are grossed out and can't handle it you need to get out of this type of job because you are harmful to your patient.

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing.

This might be the perfect job for you right now. I did a lot of hospital and nursing home volunteer work as a teenager, so when I became a CNA I wasn't scared of the patients at my LTC facility. But I still learned *so much* about how to be a compassionate human being doing that job. When you're young and just out of high school (or even college), your life is still mostly about having fun and looking cute and flirting, etc., and seeing human beings in their last months, suffering and in pain and confused is, well, a huge and unpleasant shock.

But these also happen to be some of the wisest, funniest, and sharpest people you'll ever meet. They know what's up. Some will be lost in their own worlds, but many of them will take one look at you and they'll have your number. Open your heart to them. Caring for people who have lived long and fascinating lives is a privilege. Not being a Pollyanna--it's hard and unpleasant work. But it can make you a better person.

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.

I also need to point out to the OP that there appear to be unmet needs in that facility. Most patients/residents should not be moaning; if they are, something's wrong just as if a child is crying or whimpering. They have unmet needs that need to be addressed and it is the job of the care providers to determine what those needs are and address them. It can be a challenge with non-verbal people, but the moaning is a clear sign of distress of some sort or other.

Rather than focus on yourself and your dis-ease, focus on those PEOPLE who you're there to help.

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Shame on you for speaking of human beings like that! Don't become a CNA, this clearly isn't for you. I would never let anyone with that attitude or frame of mind care for my loved one.

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I can't speak as a nurse or medical professional, but feel I can speak from personal experience. My father and I took care of my aging grandmother (with dementia) until her last day on earth. It wasn't pretty but I don't regret ever helping her and doing the best to make her last few days as comfortable. So many sleepless nights hanging on only a prayer, I am so thankful for all the nurses and medical staff that helped us through this difficult time.

I think most people on this site would agree with me, healthcare isn't for everyone. I would go out on a limb to say there is no area in healthcare where you will deal with 100% healthy happy and beautiful people. Patients come in, or are brought in by loved ones for help many times because their caretakers have done all they can do and need support. Just as any human they deserve compassion. I didn't enjoy my grandmother's mean comments (which dementia will make you do) or cleaning her behind but I have no regrets with my role during her dying days. If you can't handle people in pain or in poor shape, then please don't pursue healthcare. I'm not trying to be mean but honestly it's not worth pursuing if you don't have compassion for people in your heart.

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... every single patient in this Long Term Care facility looks like a melted fat puffy blob moaning in pain on a bed.

I think maybe healthcare isn't for you. No, their medication does not make them look like that. They are human beings with medical issues that need treatment. Clearly you are not mature enough to handle what you are about to encounter after graduation if this is how you feel during clinical.

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OK, I have to say this. I'm sure we can all remember when we were new nursing students. We too were surprised at what we encountered as we were sent out to learn basic nursing care to the very first patients we encountered. I think that maybe your expectation, Beeboop12, was completely different from what is out in the real world. I remember encountering all types of different situations and people that I never thought to expect. But as caregivers, we learn to look past that and find the best way to care our patients and their families. I have to wonder about your school though. The fact that you felt "thrown" onto a unit without sufficient practice, or lecturing about the type of patients you would be encountering leaves me pondering for both you and those poor patients. Remember, the "blob in the bed" you speak of is someone's mother, father, grandfather, etc. If you feel ill prepared to take care of these much deserving people, then either look into another school that will give you proper training or hold off until you can do some soul searching and figure out if a CNA career is right for you. CNAs help with, amongst other things, toiletting, bathing, ambulating, and vitals. Properly trained CNAs are absolutely vital to our nation's healthcare and healthcare facilities. But your heart must be in the right place.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
You obviously wanted to read the drama since you all came here.

Ok... I'm starting to wonder if you are are a creature of lore. I truly hope so. Otherwise you lack even more maturity than I'd originally thought.

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She lost me back on page one. First clinical day: "But they threw us in and said go take care of ventilator patients, dementia, etc., and I've never been around that stuff." Taking care of VENTILATOR patients on the first (or 41st) day of some sort of 8 week nursing assistant (her words not mine) class? Not in my world!

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