current CNA discouraged

Hi all nurses, I need some big advice.

I am currently a CNA and have been one for a while now (since October). I currently work at a nursing home and I am a PRN CNA. I dont exactly look forward to work, but im mainly working for the experience. I start nursing school next month. I am going for my RN-BSN.

I have always wanted the knowledge of a nurse, so I could take care of myself, my family, and my friends. I chose to be a cna so I could use it as a stepping stone. But as I continue to work as a cna, I am getting discouraged. I feel as if I am not appreciated enough even though I'm doing so much physical work. I also don't really like how I can't get proper lunch breaks at a certain time. Just whenever I have extra time, is when I can take breaks. Once I worked a full 12 hr shift, took no breaks, and only a 30 min lunch. Is this the case with RNs too?

Sometimes I look at the physical therapy staff/department and start rethinking my career. What they seem to do is not nearly as bad as what nurses do. But I don't want to get discouraged like this and just look for an escape route. I want to keep going forward with nursing, but doing all the grunt work as a cna is just pushing me back.
It depends on where you work. I usually get a lunch break...but I will say that missing breaks sometimes comes with the territory. And you will never feel like you are appreciated enough. You don't get any rewards or recognition (usually) for doing your job, even if you are really good at your job. I'm a nurse, never PT/OT, but the only thing that appeals to me about what they do is how much money they make. I plan on going to grad school eventually, so I would rather make that money as an NP. It's definitely a tough job, and I definitely have bad days. But when I leave, I know that I helped my patients, and that their day was better because of me, whether or not they appreciate it, and I take pride in that.
I feel like the no breaks situation is pretty standard. I've done the same, worked 12 hours with only a lunch, but I only take lunches anyway, no breaks. I'm a CNA. My aunt is a nurse and she talks about how she works 12 hours with no breaks and hardly any lunches/
What kind of NP are you going for in the future?I hope that I can find a certain area I like when I'm in nursing school. Maybe I will love nursing and all the variety there is to offer.
Yeah i agree. It seems as if most nurses are used to the inconsistency of breaks/lunches. But I wonder if that's how it is for all kinds of nurses everywhere. Like whether they're in a hospital, clinic, etc. At my nursing home, it seems like the LPNs just take breaks and lunches whenever they choose. But in all honesty they don't have much to do at my place. As a CNA, do you ever get discouraged too? And if you are going for your RN as well, do you believe the experience we get as CNAs greatly help?
Quote from strictlyfmgYeah i agree. It seems as if most nurses are used to the inconsistency of breaks/lunches. But I wonder if that's how it is for all kinds of nurses everywhere. Like whether they're in a hospital, clinic, etc. At my nursing home, it seems like the LPNs just take breaks and lunches whenever they choose. But in all honesty they don't have much to do at my place. As a CNA, do you ever get discouraged too? And if you are going for your RN as well, do you believe the experience we get as CNAs greatly help?
One reason CNA work is encouraged is precisely so the student can get a sampling of patient care. Some issues you raised will improve slightly. There will be a little (very little) more respect as an RN. Meals, breaks? Depends on the area where you work. I've worked floors where I almost never took a bathroom break (8hr) & didn't commonly take a lunch break. In my current position, I rarely miss lunch. If I was starting over, I would totally go the therapy route (PT/OT/ST). More school, but hours are so much better, and you get paid for services rendered, rather than typical nursing where they get you by the hour & the hospital chooses how much more work they can pile to make sure they get their value. And how about holidays, midnight shifts, getting mandated during nasty weather. . . I aspire to be "non-essential" staff one day, sigh.
Quote from strictlyfmgWhat kind of NP are you going for in the future?I hope that I can find a certain area I like when I'm in nursing school. Maybe I will love nursing and all the variety there is to offer.
Quote from SubSippiBut there are so many different factors that determine someone's job satisfaction, it's impossible to say where you'll really be happy.
I don't want to be the negative Nancy that tries to dissuade you from nursing, but here it goes: Depending on where you work breaks can be hit and miss. Scheduled breaks at specific and consistent times? Good luck with that. The appreciation you can expect to get is from yourself for a job well done, don't expect to get it from management. You also mentioned the LPN/RN's where you work don't have much to do...believe me that is not true! Just because we are stuck at a computer completing required documentation instead of doing the more physical parts of the job doesn't mean we are not working hard. But that's a topic for a different thread. CNA work is a great stepping stone to nursing school and having done both I can say from experience they are both very difficult jobs. Just difficult in different ways. The plus side of nursing is nurses are in so many diverse settings that there is sure to be one that you enjoy, it just might take you awhile to get to the point of being super choosy about where you work. There are a ton of threads on AN about the relatively lousy job market for new grads, though some locales are definitely worse than others.If you have an interest is PT/OT the PT seems to be very high demand right now. Entry level is PhD and takes about 6 years and a lot of money but the pay and the hours are way better than nursing. My son is a PT and has the same complaints that I do as a nurse about excessive documentation, so I am guessing that problem exists in all areas of health care.
Do you guys think I'll be okay if I take the nursing route for now and get my bachelor's degree first? I haven't seen all areas of nursing yet, and I feel like I will possibly see an area/specialty I like once I start clinicals in nursing school. If I ever do change my mind, I'll need a bachelor degree for PT anyway... along with some extra classes of course. And I'd also have to get PT hours, take my GRE, & etc to apply for PT school.
Quote from TiffyRNOne reason CNA work is encouraged is precisely so the student can get a sampling of patient care. Some issues you raised will improve slightly. There will be a little (very little) more respect as an RN. Meals, breaks? Depends on the area where you work. I've worked floors where I almost never took a bathroom break (8hr) & didn't commonly take a lunch break. In my current position, I rarely miss lunch. If I was starting over, I would totally go the therapy route (PT/OT/ST). More school, but hours are so much better, and you get paid for services rendered, rather than typical nursing where they get you by the hour & the hospital chooses how much more work they can pile to make sure they get their value. And how about holidays, midnight shifts, getting mandated during nasty weather. . . I aspire to be "non-essential" staff one day, sigh.
bump!