I have been a nurse's aid at a nursing home for about two months now, and I have to tell you I thought it was going to be easy. I had no idea how physically demanding it would be. I'm also not use to an 8 1/2 - 9 hour shift, so it was a big adjustment. Because I dont like it, I began to doubt that nursing school was for me.
But a friend of mine reminded me that a CNA is nothing compared to an RN. I knew that, I guess. But I just needed to be reminded. I want a medical job that I actually enjoy, but the nursing aids do all the dirty jobs and we aren't able to "take our time" and talk to the residents to get to know them. It's so difficult.
RN's- Is everyday at your job a challenge? Do you ever tell yourself that you don't know if you can do this everyday for the rest of your life?
It's been hard to adjust to it, and I'm actually looking into a PHlebotomy job at the hospital; nursing homes aren't for me...
Love to hear your comments
Amanda
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December 18th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I am also a CNA. I am about to start my last semester of nursing school. Nursing is physically demanding but also mentally challenging (unlike CNA work). Try and really pay attention to the nurses at work or ask if you can float to different units to work. You just might not like the floor you are on. I very much disliked med-surg but fell in love with Critical care. I have been a CNA for four years now and the days when I cry with the families and the days when the patients are so appreciative really make me know I am in the right field.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:52 am
I am an RN and so is my roommate and Let US TELL YOU….everyone wipes asses…RNs CNAs etc… honestly working in the hospital is a lot different than a nursing home and we work 12 hour shifts, holidays weekends and nights. BUT we love our jobs and there are patients and nights that will make you understand why you wanted to become a nurse in the first place…of course we want to quit some nights but we don’t…mostly because we don’t want to be homeless. You put up with to much shit and when your fresh out of school you feel like a complete dumbass-maybe because you are and maybe because seasoned nurses want you to think you are…the point is, once you cut through the crap nursing is a very rewarding career, you just have to find your place in the grand scheme of things.
December 21st, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I too worked in a nursing home type environment while in nursing school and yes it is very different. I absolutely love older adults and I have to say they need you more than you know so if you are a good caregiver-don’t give up!
As a CNA I felt as though there was no critical thinking or decision making and based on who your nurse was, your opinion didn’t matter. The objective was to assist the nurse in some of the smaller tasks that he/she could not do. It was hard to balance being a CNA and almost being a nurse because once you get into school you will find your outlook changing and you will see that there is a VERY distinct difference between the two worlds.
As a nurse your focus is very different. You MANAGE the overall condition of the patient. You are monitoring and assessing and planning care. Your goal is to progress them to wellness along with the physician.
Because I was a CNA, I can tell you I treat all of my CNAs with respect and consider them very important. I work with them as my teammate. I also value their input because at times they actually do spend a little more personal time with the patient. As a nurse it’s hard to get in that personal time but if you have great time management skills, you can and will really get to talk with and comfort your patient.
Oh I do give baths and wipe butts as a nurse too (sometimes we don’t even have a CNA) and I am not too good to fetch water or towels or a clean gown. Don’t get discouraged-nursing is sooo very rewarding as well as CHALLENGING, CRAZY, CHAOTIC but on some days-not EVERYDAY (but so is every job). I did it and I bring so much more into my profession because I have been there-you can do it too!!
January 27th, 2008 at 9:09 am
I’m an RN in a nursing home, and I don’t have time to talk to my residents, either! I have 30 residents to care for, and with falls or illnesses, some days I barely have time to pass all the meds. Sometimes I go home crying, because I feel my patients aren’t safe, or that I’m going to lose my license. Honestly, nursing homes should NOT be allowed to be for-profit!
Anyway, you shouldn’t give up, because you CARE. We need more nurses who care! Nursing is very rewarding, and although you, too, will have days where you will have to wipe butts and feed patients, it is all worth it when you know you’ve made a difference!
February 27th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Stacie, have you heard of the safe harbor act?
If you feel your patients aren’t safe, speak up!
You are right, you can lose your license and sounds like maybe you need to protect it.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Dear Amanda,
Nursing is a tough,yet, rewarding profession and not everyone is cut out to be a nurse. If you have a strong feeling it is not for you why not continue to explore other options. There are plenty of jobs in the health care industry. What about Social Work? Speech, Physical or Occupational Therapy? Medical Records Coder, Medical Assistant oh gosh the lits goes on and on.
Best of Luck,
dianej.wordpress.com
April 10th, 2013 at 1:28 am
We must all remember someday someone may have to wipe our butts too!