Who says I can't be happy

ctmed · Jul 11, 2012

Your happiness is up to you. No job or career can give you that. There are miserable people who are doctors and lawyers. There are miserable people who are CNAs.

That said, I have found most of the CNAs who are miserable bring it on themselves. They do not take care of themselves and their health - mental or physical. They get into abusive, crazy relationships. The low pay can cause stress, too. It can be really hard to enjoy yourself on what CNAs make unless you pull brutal doubles.

Now, get a job with a good culture, it will be easier. That can be hard to find. Now...I would prefer jobs with a bit more autonomy than what CNA offers me. The only way to do that, unfortunately, is school which may not be feasible for many CNAs due to financial reasons and having to work and do it. Its worth it in the long run if it is not a rip-off degree.

ctmed · Jul 11, 2012

Oh yes... I do not blame you on not wanting to be a nurse. I do not want that either. Some places they are treated like waitresses with meds with 50 times more things that can go wrong. before I get flamed for saying that, how many vent posts have we read on allnurses? Lol.

BUT... have you checked into other fields that will give you the same feeling of caring for folks with a better paycheck and a bit less of the bad points of CNA? I am getting into Occupational Therapy Assistant. No call lights, not as much poop, not as many crazed family members. I will get to teach people ADLs and help them be independent instead of just cleaning up the messes and watching patients I get attached to go down! Its only 2 years and a bit easier to get into than RN because so few know about it!

There is also PTA. Physical Therapy is VERY rewarding. Job satisfaction scores for PT/OT are far higher than nursing.

allnurses Guide · Jul 11, 2012

It is annoying - I would so rather work with a happy person who knows themselves and is motivated by what fulfills them, not the neighbors, Aunt Agnes, or the random person you meet at a social function.

The thing is --- even if you were to train for the job every busybody in the world thinks you should, - that stuff won't stop! There will always be another rung on the ladder and another "why don't you go for the --------?". :/

Often they mean well, they just don't realize how many other people say the same thing! All the best to you. :)

amoLucia · Jul 11, 2012

While you may be happily satisfied for while, it may not last later. CNAs have a tough job; it is physically demanding and it really doesn't pay well. And not too many people think too highly of the position.

Being a CNA has a few alternative options; Restorative Care CNA and Activity CNA are 2 possibilities. I don't know they pay any better but they are a bit more specialized. Also, CNAs can take a medication administration course and become certified for positions in Assisted Living Facilities. At some places, I have seen them cross-trained for Physical/Occupational Therapy positions

A good CNA is worth his/her weight in gold!!! I've had the privilege of working with CNAs that I would trust to care for me and mine. Follow your instincts to make yourself happy. Who knows where your future will take you. Good luck with your choices.

ctmed · Jul 11, 2012

While you may be happily satisfied for while, it may not last later. CNAs have a tough job; it is physically demanding and it really doesn't pay well. And not too many people think too highly of the position.
Being a CNA has a few alternative options; Restorative Care CNA and Activity CNA are 2 possibilities. I don't know they pay any better but they are a bit more specialized. Also, CNAs can take a medication administration course and become certified for positions in Assisted Living Facilities. At some places, I have seen them cross-trained for Physical/Occupational Therapy positions
A good CNA is worth his/her weight in gold!!! I've had the privilege of working with CNAs that I would trust to care for me and mine. Follow your instincts to make yourself happy. Who knows where your future will take you. Good luck with your choices.

I might add to this: restorative is considered the lay out and holy grail of CNA. CNAs are never hired off the street for restorative and CNAs who get this stick around for years doing this and never quit. You still may have to work the floor. I know of some LTCs that pull the restorative folks all the time. You should see the scowl on the face.

Sorry amoLucia, but MA is a ripoff in my area. I do not like recommending MA to folks because I personally know 5 CNAs that got screwed with huge loans and no jobs. It appears facilities want LPNs do that because the pay difference is not much and an LPN can do so much more. May not be the case in OP's area.

However, HHA has much more autonomy and job satisfaction for CNA. If you stay with CNA, I would stay home health or psych. Some of these LTCs are poisonous places and it can be hard to fight off the negativity.

Now, a few years back, I would have said agency so you can work all sorts of fields and keep CNA interesting. However, agency has currently dried up and the few places that still use agency are hell holes and are no hospitals and all LTCs in the middle of nowhere. Most facility agencies are closing down their CNA divisions in my area.