Does a nurse's aid do all of the dirty work?

[Bobbi]

I need some experience working in the healthcare field and getting a sense of what it's like to be a nurse. That's why I am looking for a job as a CNA. Do these people do all of the disgusting work that no one else wants to do, or is this job only sometimes gruesome?

[wtncffts]

My mother is a nurse's aide (or care aide, I think is the actual title), and, yes, you do have to do a lot of 'dirty work', since you basically attend to all the patients' non-medical needs. i guess it also depends on what kind of facility it is; my mom works at a seniors' facility where most of the residents are incapacitated to some extent, and many have alzheimer's, etc. I know you didn't mean to sound condescending, but I consider my mom the hardest working, most dedicated person I know, and hearing about the things she does at work makes me feel a tinge of absurdity every time I complain about the 'difficulty' of academia.

I don't know, though, how much such a job is preparation for nursing. They seem like quite different jobs, and I don't believe going from nurse's aide to nursing is common. I guess to the extent that you will simply gain experience being in the healthcare environment, it would be useful.

[Bobbi]

My mother is a nurse's aide (or care aide, I think is the actual title), and, yes, you do have to do a lot of 'dirty work', since you basically attend to all the patients' non-medical needs. i guess it also depends on what kind of facility it is; my mom works at a seniors' facility where most of the residents are incapacitated to some extent, and many have alzheimer's, etc. I know you didn't mean to sound condescending, but I consider my mom the hardest working, most dedicated person I know, and hearing about the things she does at work makes me feel a tinge of absurdity every time I complain about the 'difficulty' of academia.

I don't know, though, how much such a job is preparation for nursing. They seem like quite different jobs, and I don't believe going from nurse's aide to nursing is common. I guess to the extent that you will simply gain experience being in the healthcare environment, it would be useful.

No, I was not trying to be condescending to those who are nurse's aides. I wanted to get a true idea of what it's like, no euphemisms. A nurse suggested that I should try being a nurse's aide I guess to get used to looking at naked people and dealing with bodily functions. I think I would rather do that than work in retail!

[ZeeMore21]

My mom is a nurse aide as well, she works in a retirement home. It definitely is a tough job and yes, it does seem like you do deal with a lot of the "messy" stuff...but that type of stuff doesn't really faze people who truly enjoy working in health care and have been in it for a while....that's just part of the job. I truly respect nurse aide's, I really don't think they get the credit they deserve.

[ZeeMore21]

My mother is a nurse's aide (or care aide, I think is the actual title), and, yes, you do have to do a lot of 'dirty work', since you basically attend to all the patients' non-medical needs. i guess it also depends on what kind of facility it is; my mom works at a seniors' facility where most of the residents are incapacitated to some extent, and many have alzheimer's, etc. I know you didn't mean to sound condescending, but I consider my mom the hardest working, most dedicated person I know, and hearing about the things she does at work makes me feel a tinge of absurdity every time I complain about the 'difficulty' of academia.

I don't know, though, how much such a job is preparation for nursing. They seem like quite different jobs, and I don't believe going from nurse's aide to nursing is common. I guess to the extent that you will simply gain experience being in the healthcare environment, it would be useful.

Great post, go nurse's aides!

[spctle342]

Many of my friends have worked as CNAs and really enjoyed it. It depends on the environment, for sure. At a retirement home, for instance, there's probably going to be mostly diaper-changing, toileting, bathing (and depending on statutes and training, med administration), but I had one friend who scored a one-on-one job working with a parapalegic and a lot of it was just companionship and basic home health sorts of things. As far as it being a step toward a career in nursing, most nurses I know did work as CNAs at some point, but the majority of CNAs I've known never went on to pursue an education in nursing.

[Bobbi]

OK. thanks a lot. that helps!

[Teelee]

I think you can get more answers from nursing forums like allnurses.com they have sections dedicated to prenursing/students.

[Bobbi]

Good thinking!