I think I would like to have a career in Nursing. I want to be an RN but school is so expensive. I am working a CNA, but its not really my thing. I think I would enjoy being a nurse and working in OB/GYN, Peds, or a psych unit. Getiatrics and Long Term Care just isn't my thing. Has anyone else experienced this? Has CNA work and Nursing homes discouraged you from becoming a nurse?

I understand what your saying. I became a medical assistant then got a job in a hospital as a CNA. I am now entering my clinicals for nursing. While being a CNA is the grunt work i like Charlita reccomend you stayonthis route first. This is because if ou can't do this then you can't handle being a nurse. People are under the misunderstanding that once you become a nurse the gunt work is over. I assure you that's not true. Unless your a nurse who has a desk job, insurance job or nurse educator or manager. Everyone else still is bedside nursing will to a degree be doing the grunt work. This is because some hospitals you go to do have enough aides of LPN's to help out. So, who's left but the RN to do everything. I must say being an CMA then a CNA proved to be great for me. I know know i can handle the things thown at me. Here's a suggestion try to get an aide job in an ICU or CCU. This is what i did at first. It enabled me to see caths, vents, ballon pumps and all sorts of things. Sometimes i have more experince than a new grad RN who starts. So, while being a CNA is at the bootm of the pole remember those who climb their way up often turn out better than those who don't. And yes RN school is expensive might i suggest LPN school first. It's a nice bridge from CNA to RN. You'll make more money without having all the responsibility of being an RN while you see if you really like nursing. If you don't well then, at least you've got something to fall back on. Hope this helps.

sarita85 said:

I think I would like to have a career in Nursing. I want to be an RN but school is so expensive. I am working a CNA, but its not really my thing. I think I would enjoy being a nurse and working in OB/GYN, Peds, or a psych unit. Getiatrics and Long Term Care just isn't my thing. Has anyone else experienced this? Has CNA work and Nursing homes discouraged you from becoming a nurse?

But as most everyone else said already the grunt work is there no matter which position you obtain. Believe me, I watch my nurse manager jump in there and do everything from answer the phones to do pelvic exams.

Please remember though you have the grunt work, you also will have the ability to really help your patients at a time when they are truly vunerable. That is a reward not listed on your W2 or benefits package. So what I am saying is perhaps you are being overwhelmed by the physical aspect of the job right now. Take a little more time before you let yourself be scared off from a rewarding career.

Whatever you decide Best of Luck!

It's not the grunt work that I don't like. It's just that LTC and geriatrics isnot the area that I want to work in.

My sister is a CNA in a nursing home and loves it. She is indeed a special kind of person for what she does and she is well loved for it. (read: not for me!) I was a Medical Assistant while I was in nursing school in an Acute Care Clinic, a busy ER, and an ICU. Being able to work in all of those places helped so much when it came to starting my clinical rotations. It not only taught me basic skills, lingo and how to deal with all sort of people, it also taught me how to work in almost any environment. I was able to adapt, be assertive when needed and focus on my patient care instead of wondering how to use a piece of equipment or what something meant.


I agree--don't give up the profession until you have been exposed to a few other sides of nursing. That is one of the best things about this profession, if you don't find a good fit in one place, there is definitely something else to try!

I feel being a cna, makes u a more well rounded nurse. U know both sides of the fence and can be a better manager of staff. I was a cna for alot of years before becoming a nurse and the staff and patients can tell right away. I can offer advice in alot of areas that some one who has not been a cna, cannot. i can relate better to the situations as wel.