do i/you want to be anurse

[GAstudent]

Have you ever wondered why you became a nurse? I am a CNA in a nursing home and have been in school for my pre reqs. I have been changing my mind on if I want to be a nurse. Mainly because I don't want to work 12 hour shifts my whole life with kids. I get so sick of the families wanting this and wanting that and why can't you answer this question and answer that question. Then the families try to set the CNA's and the nurses up for state. Like we have one lady who swears we don't change her husbands socks so she marks them with markers, only the markers are not coming off. She is putting toothpaste on his brush to see if his teeth get brushed, this is crazy. I must say that I do brush all of my peoples teeth, rather they have teeth, dentures, toothless etc. but this is still crazy, then she will look and see if he has his med patches on etc and go to the nurses station and complain, it was suppose to be put on him at 9 and it is 9:01. These families are crazy about control. HELP!!!!what do i do to help me decide what do to.l

[dragonfly954]

There is more to nursing than 12 hour shifts and more families that care for the nurses than are a pain in the rear,regardless of what you may hear or read on this board.mabye this lady is just trying to be assured that her spouse is being taken care of to the best of her ability?i bet she will drive everyone so crazy that she will make sure he never ever gets a decubit has to be your decision for what is right for you ,but it sounds like you are a very caring person:kiss

[jakesmom]

There are lots of opportunities for nurses - I have been a bedside RN for only 2 years and have accepted a new position as a Phase I Cardiac Rehab nurse. This is going to take my career down a totally different path. There are so many jobs outside the traditional 12 hour hospital or nursing home roles - go for it - its a great field, the sky's the limit.

[Manor LPN]

I really feel for what you're dealing with. I was an aide for many years before I went to school, and chose to stay in long-term care after I graduated. A lot of times, I've seen family members who seem to only want to "cause problems" for the staff, both CNA and LPN, and I've seen them actually pit one against the other. What is sadder than this, though, is to see someone put into a nursing home, and be virtually put aside and ignored by their family. Nursing is a hard profession to be in. It's a lot of mental stress, as well as emotional stress , too. School can wear you down, and there will be times that you will feel like you were insane to have ever started. When all is said and done, though, you will have a career that is rewarding many times over. Especially when you know that you make a difference for one of your patients/residents. I got into nursing because it's all I've ever wanted. Knowing that I "know my stuff", that my residents look forward to me being at work, and to have a family member tell me that they were so glad that I was there when their loved one died,...those are only a few of the countless joys I experience in my job. I wish you all the best, and hope you have the same satisfaction as a nurse that I do.

[Noney]

Hey a nurse can work 4, 8, 12, or 16 hour shifts. It sounds like you've only seen one side of nursing. There are so many sides of nursing. Just look at all the different forums on this site alone. I know it's hard to deal with families in ltc, especially the way they staff those places (been there done that), but look at it from their point of view. The facility is paying alot of money to provide prper care to her husband, and it's her right to make sure he recieves it. In my opinion the fault lies in government for not mandating more staff, we all know how ridicolus the min allowed staffing standards are. I'm not flaming you, but I feel that the feelings you're having towards pt's families truly should be directed towards the system that the behavior is a direct result of.

Sorry for running on...

Noney

[Raevyn]

All I can say is.. This too shall pass. You will learn as you get older, and whether or not you are in nursing or in any other career.. There are some people that you are never going to please no matter what you do.

People are like that because they want their family memeber taken care of. Its not that they want you in trouble with state.. they just want to make sure that their family member is not being neglected.

We have several families that are like that when they come.. and yes.. we do cringe when we see them. But just realize they only want the best for their love one.

I would much rather have a control freak who cares about their family member than the person I had to call the law on two weeks ago. This person was hitting their grandmother because she couldn't hold her cup to drink.

There is so much more to nursing. I am a CNA and a nursing student. And yes the families can be demanding.. but there are so many others who praise you for doing what you do.

This type of work is not for everyone. You have to take with a grain of salt the attitudes of familes and patients. They are not well.. and sickness makes these people cranky and not at the very best. I know how I am when one of my kids are sick and in the hospital.. as well as one of my family members. I want them taken care of to the best of the staff's ability.

Realize that that is a very stressful time for the family as well. In a nursing home.. the family feels guilty for having to place their family member there.. they are angry, upset and frustrated. Unfortunately... we as CNA's.. and the nurses get the brunt of this frustration.

I would suggest.. that you try to place yourself in their shoes... I can also say that you do get burned out rather quickly... a place like this board is wonderful you can blow off steam.. and get different perspectives...

Best wishes,

Rae