Bensmith Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 (edited) [Deleted] Edited November 24, 2020 by cbull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgriffiths Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 I've been a PA for 4 years, and was a CNA before PA school. I HATED being a CNA, by far the worst job I've ever had, but it wasn't because my coworkers or employer were bad or negative. BUT, more importantly, it wasn't that I disliked interacting with patients. That part I loved, I just hated being an errand boy, and didn't really enjoy bathing patients. Lastly, I just didn't like not knowing what was going on with the patients. So, I think a lot of it has to do with why you dislike being a CNA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTPAAPPLICANT2018 Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 (edited) I used to be a CNA at a nursing home and then later got a job as a PCA in a hospital. I understand the physical demands of this profession. Have you tried finding a job elsewhere? To me it just seems like the work environment is making this experience miserable for you. I would try to find a job as a PCA in a hospital first. As for the nurse being negative and constantly being passive aggressive I would just pay no attention to her and just don't give her the time of day. For me I've worked with people who are passive aggressive and rude but have also worked with people who aren't. Maybe sometimes they are not even aware of how they come across? But also, there are people who have bad coping skills and just like to take out their frustrations on others. I feel like you won't just find this in healthcare you will find it in all professions. I would definitely encourage you to try and shadow a PA and talk to him or her and see if this is what you really want to do. Hope this helps! Edited May 1, 2020 by CTPAAPPLICANT2018 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BHahnen Posted May 3, 2020 Share Posted May 3, 2020 I second the other posters, and I highly recommend finding a new place of employment. While being a CNA is difficult, having a snappy nurse as your supervisor can make any shift miserable. I suggest applying for a PCA position at a local hospital, speak with your fellow CNAs before you apply as I know about 60% on my shift also work at other facilities, including hospitals. If you're feeling burned out in general, give home health a try, it is one to one care. Good luck with whatever path you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laybunny Posted May 4, 2020 Share Posted May 4, 2020 (edited) Don't feel that just because you arent liking being a CNA, you will dislike all healthcare. I am also a CNA and I really dislike aspects of my job. It is physically demanding, you oftentimes get little recognition or respect, and some shifts it feels like I don't stop moving even for a second. I even work overnight which is supposed to be a bit less busy than day shift. I don't like when I'm in the middle of something and a nurse barks an order at me that she could easily take care of herself. I don't mind the dirty work but it gets repetitive and I feel burned out at times. It also depends highly on your work situation. I work in a rehab facility with only one long term care resident, and I LOVE working with orthopedic patients. It's so rewarding to watch them recover and grow strong and go home in a month, and to know you played a part in that. Recently, because they stopped elective surgery due to the coronavirus, we have been getting lots of long term care and that just isn't for me. Some people love that patient population but I find it kind of stressful and demoralizing to provide care for someone who will only have more severe dementia as time passes. Everyone is different of course. So case in point, there could be a thousand factors in this, and it's unlikely to be something as straightforward as "healthcare is not for me". I would highly recommend seeking out a facility with a patient population you are more interested in, espeically hospital positions as they generally pay more and the patient ratios are smaller, or home health so you only recieve one patient at a time. Also, please never stay in a job where you are disrespected or emotionally abused by supervisors. That is not worth your mental health when there are a million other places who are falling over themselves to hire you. Trust me, there is no shortage of CNA work and you could get another position in a heartbeat. Hope this helps, and please take care of yourself. Edited May 4, 2020 by Laybunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuchiKopi Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 I've been a trauma/ED nurse for 5 years, and we do not have CNAs in particular, but we call them techs(many times you have to be an EMT at minimum). I can not believe the job that CNAs on the floor have to do, and the things they have to deal with by staff. I always see people disrespected up on the floor, more than just CNAs(I'm a traveler and have seen it ALL over..it's disheartening). From an ED stand point, we work as a team and generally treat each other with respect, so I am sorry for what you deal with. But... Do not let these nurses and negative staff change your outlook on becoming a PA. I feel as though maybe changing departments may help, and I'd be a CNA/tech in the ED over any other department. Anywho, there will be days as a PA that you are emotionally exhausted, but do not let these subpar coworkers ruin your outlook....Oh and get a new job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SADNEWGRAD Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 I am a recent college grad who did pre-med and was thinking PA school would be a better work life balance. So, I did what I needed to do and got my CNA license the summer before my junior year. I wasn’t able to work as a CNA until this year due to being a full time student, and I figure taking a gap year and getting my hands on patient care hours would be the best thing for me in the long run. I moved out of my hometown and got a job as a CNA in a rehab hospital. I hated every second of it. I hated the job duties, I hated being treated like I was stupid and uneducated by nurses and supervisors, I hated being verbally abused by patients. Right now I am questioning if even going into the medical field is the best thing for me. One morning I hate a mental break down before my 12.5 hour shift and quit. I enjoy helping people, but I was shown this disrespectful side of healthcare that made me miserable. On top of that, the place I was working was a for profit company and I saw the disgusting corporate greed that is in that as invaded health care. The rehab facility was accepting people that should be in hospice, that could barely keep their eyes open and on feeding tubes. Yet, insurance accepted them while a requirement to be there is to participate in 15 hours of therapy a week. It frustrated me every day. I know that not all facilities are like this but it seems like the healthcare system is being affected by corporate greed more and more every year, according to many of the nurses I talked to. I am just feeling lost and upset that all I have worked for to get to the point of being pa, hard undergraduate course work, getting my CNA certification over the summer while I was working full time, I feels like it was a for nothing if I don’t continue the PA track. But do I really want to spend more time and more money to get a job in a worsening health care system and I won’t enjoy? Any advice would be great because i am feeling so torn as to what to do next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANESMCR Posted November 11, 2021 Share Posted November 11, 2021 34 minutes ago, SADNEWGRAD said: I am a recent college grad who did pre-med and was thinking PA school would be a better work life balance. So, I did what I needed to do and got my CNA license the summer before my junior year. I wasn’t able to work as a CNA until this year due to being a full time student, and I figure taking a gap year and getting my hands on patient care hours would be the best thing for me in the long run. I moved out of my hometown and got a job as a CNA in a rehab hospital. I hated every second of it. I hated the job duties, I hated being treated like I was stupid and uneducated by nurses and supervisors, I hated being verbally abused by patients. Right now I am questioning if even going into the medical field is the best thing for me. One morning I hate a mental break down before my 12.5 hour shift and quit. I enjoy helping people, but I was shown this disrespectful side of healthcare that made me miserable. On top of that, the place I was working was a for profit company and I saw the disgusting corporate greed that is in that as invaded health care. The rehab facility was accepting people that should be in hospice, that could barely keep their eyes open and on feeding tubes. Yet, insurance accepted them while a requirement to be there is to participate in 15 hours of therapy a week. It frustrated me every day. I know that not all facilities are like this but it seems like the healthcare system is being affected by corporate greed more and more every year, according to many of the nurses I talked to. I am just feeling lost and upset that all I have worked for to get to the point of being pa, hard undergraduate course work, getting my CNA certification over the summer while I was working full time, I feels like it was a for nothing if I don’t continue the PA track. But do I really want to spend more time and more money to get a job in a worsening health care system and I won’t enjoy? Any advice would be great because i am feeling so torn as to what to do next. Shadow some PA’s. Get a different job. Maybe in perioperative services or something. Don’t base your future PA career on CNA scut work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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