Question for CNA's/Nurse Aides, from a new one...?

I am changing careers. I'm interested in nursing. I thought I'd start out as a CNA to get into the field, but I'm only a few shifts in and I don't think I can do it. Did you feel this way when you started? How long until you were comfortable and efficient?

I don't mind working hard, I expected that. Nothing grosses me out, after my two kids I've been puked on and cleaned up all sorts of poo. I just don't feel fullfilled working in long term care, it's just like a hotel where we literally wipe people butts for them. The residents adore me, so I guess I'm improving their quality of life by being a positive and cheerful presence... but it still just feels like maintenance, not healing.

It's hard to explain what I don't like about it otherwise, I guess mostly I've always excelled at everything, including the CNA classes - I had a 100 average and got 100 on the written State exam! Yet, I still don't feel sure of myself on the job and I can't imagine being fast enough to start my own assignment (I'm still training on the job, and only do a few people).

I bascially am wondering how natural this job felt for you when you started, did you have doubts and how long was it until you were confident and content?

Thank you!

enrolled nurse/nurses aid in australia for 20 +years. I remeber my first day on the wards very well, infact I will never forget it. I was sent to get a patient to the shower. a lady who was no more than 4.5 foot tall and of weight to match. I was getting her out of bed when she collapsed, her heart had stopped. I immediately yelled for a nurse (haha that is what I was supposed to be) a big "butch" nurse came out picked this women up and threw her on the bed then proceded to hit her ful force with closed fist in the middle of the chest. The patient then sat up as if nothing happened and said I thought we were going for a shower. The nurse gave a big sigh and said oh this happens all the time. Needless to say I did not shower that women and I took off not wanting to do this ever again.
The three best things you can do are:
1. determine what it is that is really bothering you, ie all of it, pans, bed bathing etc then work on overcoming this by education or see next
2. Find one of the more experience staff who you get along really well with and ask them to mentor you. This will be invaluable because it is often fear of the unknown that prevents us from continuing, you thought you could do it in the first place. By using their knowledge and experience will give you more confidence to carry out your duties.
3. The other thing is to remember we are not all alike. It really helps to judge people as you find them. This can be difficult if a patient is in pain, worried/frightened or has trouble hearing and communicating. Differing socioeconomic and religeous, cultural backgrounds can also be difficult. I used to treat everyone how I would like to be treated, with other circumstances I would speak to family (especially cultural) and ask there advice it is often very simple to remedy when you know the cause.
It all comes with experience, that is why I suggested a mentor, hang in there though it is all frightening at first and if thats what it is like for you imagine how your clients might feel!

hope this helps!!

cna = not nurses aides they are nurses maids go straight for nurse..... thats where the money and the respect is

CNA work is very hard work. Big patient load and hard to get everything done that needs to get done. If you can't do nurse's aid work then you'll have a hard time getting to the nursing thing. It's all part of it. It's a tough job, if it was easy, then everyone would be doing it. Good Luck in whatever decision you make.