Which way?

[SLF82]

I have been a cna in Denver for 1 1/2 years. I also have my BA in liberal arts. I've done home health (which I thought would be actually be using my skills, but turns out I was making meals and cleaning house), adult day center, and assisted living facility. I thought I had found my niche and path at the facility, but I felt bullied by other cna's. I loved being on the first floor which was short-term care, mostly there for rehab. When I worked the other floor, long-term, it was like a nursing home. I was checking on a resident and found he passed away on my watch..sure I've experienced death in my life, but finding someone who I was caring for was a totally different experience and shocked me. There was a lot of miscommunication at this particular facility: information regarding residents not being passed along, not being updated when needed, etc. I pretty much gave up and my anxiety took over literally making me ill too many times. I got myself fired from there; only to learn within weeks after I left, the DON and some of the nurses voluntarily left.

I felt like I was doing hospice work and I know that is NOT my calling. I have always wanted to be a nurse, but I'm second-guessing myself now. I know LTC is the dominant workplace for CNAs, but I just don't know if I go back to another facility. I love the elderly, always have; but I want to see people get Better..to help them HEAL.

I've been toying with the idea of applying to a hospital, but what if I can't pull the 12-hr shifts? I have to work. I've been out of work for a couple of months now.

What other areas can I work within as a CNA? I would love to work with kids; I'm great with kids. I just don't know where to go from here and would love some guidance.

Thanks, Sarah