New Job Question

Okay, so, for those of you who don't know, I work at a nursing home now as a dietary aide. It's really nice, but I'm learning there are some things that I don't like. I have mentioned my lack of dish washing skills before, and I don't like doing them (in fact, I'm dreading them now) but my biggest thing is that I don't get to interact with the residents as much as I would like. I know that helping them get food is really helpful, but.... I really want to do more.

At first, I was going to apply to be a personal caregiver, or find out a way to do CNA training and do that. But then I thought I might not like it because of what you have to do.

However, thinking about it now... I think it's something I'd be really interested in doing. I'm going to be awkward at first, but I was talking to someone else who is one, and they said they were too. I know there are certain things you have to do with this, that can be hard and stressful, but I think I could handle it.

So, what I was thinking, is to build myself up as a dietary aide, to show my bosses that I'm capable of that, so they feel good about me, so when I do decide to try for something more, they will already like me and put in more consideration for me?

What I don't know is, however, when I should consider asking. I just started this job, so I know it wouldn't be good to switch so soon.

But also, how would you get over the awkwardness? Such as when you'd have to bathe them and help them go to the bathroom?

Also, does anyone know anything more about becoming a CNA? At this place, it sounds like there are two different types of care givers. There are the CNAs and then the personal care givers, who get paid less than the CNA and from the sounds of it, you get the training there. Does anyone know how much it would cost to get the training?

I know this doesn't exactly fit in with Bipolar, but it's affecting my anxiety, so I'd like to talk about it.

Thanks!

Being a CNA is a physically and mentally exhausting at times. I did it for years. If you have a weak stomach ... don't bother , yes you will deal with every body function, yes every !

Every place I have worked says you must lift 50-60 lbs all the time. yeah okay whatever you will be lifting a whole lot more. Turning bed bound patients every 2 hours.

It is a very rewarding job in general, You do have to factor in you will have patients that die eventually, you will have to take care of them while they are actively dying, I once had 6 patients die in one shift. You do "take care and wash them up after they pass"

There is some of the tough parts of doing hands on care..If you can handle it.. you will meet some of the most interesting people in your life.

Feel free to Pm if you want/need any other advice I have to offer.

Becoming a CNA requires schooling where I live. I think it's a 2 year school. I see that CNA jobs are like doing all the stuff that a nurse doesn't want to do. When I was in the hospital for 2 weeks last summer, I had one awesome CNA. She would help me go to the bathroom and shower until I was able to take that back on myself. She would change my linens, take my vitals, bring me things I needed, and empty the thing... I forget what it was called, but I had this thing sucking all the toxins out of my body and she would have to empty it. She was being a CNA while in training to be a nurse, and I told her that she was going to be an amazing nurse and left a glowing comment for her at the hospital.

My mother-in-law used to be a home health aid and she said back then she was a high school drop out and started out "washing butts" as she puts it.