[Hydrophobic1212]

Okay, so, I barely touched on this in another thread and apologize for making another, but I needed to get this off my chest.

I am pretty bummed right now. I need a new job, since my boss is trying to get me to quit and I found an opening at a nursing home. My friend had told me she'd ask her dad if I could use him as a reference, as he's a nurse and he works with them, but he told her no. He won't let me use him as a reference. So, now I'm going to have to rely on pure luck to get the job.

But, I have another problem. I am not sure if I'm going to like this. I hate my current job, but this possible job at the nursing home worries me. I really like helping others, so I feel like I'll like that aspect, but it's working with the elderly. This means that there is always the chance that one of them is going to die. I tend to get attached easily, so I worry how I'd fair with this possibility.

I don't have the job yet, but I'm wondering if I did get the job, how should I handle it?

I'm the type of person to worry about something before it happens, so I just need to find a way to put these worries to rest.

[hamster-bamster]

If she has not popped up on this thread by tomorrow, PM BipolaRNurse - she will be able to answer your question.

[Hydrophobic1212]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

If she has not popped up on this thread by tomorrow, PM BipolaRNurse - she will be able to answer your question.

Thank you.

[MilitaryMech]

I'm a RN.

A couple of things: Life is a terminal condition. Everyone dies. EVERYONE. It is part of the life cycle. In this country, we have removed death from our every day lives to the point where we are very much afraid of even seeing it.

Are you going for a CNA or Tech job? If so, have ever done a job like that? If not, it is NOT for everyone. I can attest that Nursing is NOT a job you can do for the paycheck. If you don't want to be there, the patient care will suffer. That is not fair to the people who find themselves in your care.

I tell people who ask me about going to nursing school: "You should have the same calling to be a nurse as you would to be a Priest or a Nun".

Being a Nurse or a CNA is a dirty, disgusting job. The hours are long and the pay does not come close to being enough (especially for CNA's!) to compensate you for the job.

Now if this is for something else, like food service, then go for it! But if you don't feel "the calling", don't be a CNA.

JMHO

[~Christina]

I worked as a CNA for years. I agree 100% with what Military posted.. Its a back breaking rough *** job. It can also wear you down.. Some patients come for rehab and go home ( yay) but most are there to die , that can wear anyone down.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Blue Poppy]

I work in healthcare and have for 15 years. I particularly enjoy working with the elderly. It is hard not to get attached to this special patient population.

I tend to focus on their life stories, because many are happy to tell you. They impart great wisdom and I have learned so much about life from them. This is what I focus on when they die. What I have learned from them and how it has changed me and the gratitude that I feel.

[Hydrophobic1212]

Thank you all for your help! I appreciate it. I really do. I'll have to think about it.