looking for a new job after 18 years!

I have finally decided that my current job is terrible for my back. I work as a CNA and I am darn good too. I love making someones day special. I especially love to have a family member tell me how important it is for them to know that I am taking care of their loved one. Most of the work is ok with me. I don't mind working hard. Doing the ambulating and Physical Therapy is especially important and I make that a priority. Everyone tells me that I can get people to eat when nobody else can do it. So why am I leaving? My back. We got a quadraplegic man who weighs 275 lbs! He isn't even on my assighnment but we all "HAVE" to help with him. I really don't like being "forced" to do something that is very likely to hurt my back. Let me tell you turning him is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. Just getting him to budge is really difficult. He isn't even nice. nasty man. Seems that since he is so "difficult" (in more ways than one) Everyone has to "take turns" with him now. We have to leave our assignments for the day to take care of him and it takes 4 hours! Start to finish! Just helping with him in the past I pulled muscles in my back right after christmas and had muscle spasms for 2 weeks after "assisting" a cna with him. After that healed I helped with him again one day and it felt like I sprained my wrist. I have also "strained" a muscle in my shoulder with this man. Doing his entire routine is out of the question but It seems the only way out of it is to quit. Everyone has hurt something at one time or another. We had a workmans comp representative come by several times questioning "why so many injuries" And you know how you strain yourself doing something and it shows up days later when you bend over to pick up a pencil? Things like that happen a lot now too. I think that this man should have stayed where he was at. He had two male attendants who took care of him and I bet it wasn't easy for them either but at least men have more strengh. Too bad we don't have men working at my facility but as a rule they don't last long. They get discouraged because most of the woman are modest and won't let a man near them. I was rather annoyed that I have to leave my job because of ONE man who isn't even on my assighnment. I thought I would last atleast another 15 years here...but I am so worried that I will hurt myself again that I know I just have to go. Its been very difficult for the girls to get reimbursed by workmans comp and the facility doesn't feel responsible for reimbursing our pay if we are out. (I missed 5 days and was on "light duty" for two weeks) Its time to go and I am on the lookout for something. Trouble is I don't know what I would do. What would some of you do if you had the options to do so? I used to be a Dental Assistant for two years. Poor pay and too much to do with no benefits. The Dentist told me himself that I lasted longer than anyone else. It was depressing. Everyone hates the dentist. Other than that I don't know what I would do. I am looking for something stress free. I have had enough of stressful jobs. The worse thing about my job is the heavy workload and stress. I wish I had some idea of a job I could do working in my own home. Childcare comes to mind but you have to have special licenses and all that now. We are going to be building a house next year so money will be an issue too. That is why I have held on so long in spite of injury and no compensation for it. I thought I had to stay for the money. So come on people....what would you do if you could choose almost anything that didn't require a special license or degree. Something that isn't going to be even worse on my back.

Perhaps you could tend to older folks one-on-one? I think there's a need for someone like yourself who would be willing to simply help take older folks to dr appts, get groceries, and just keep them company. I have a friend who would've loved to have someone do that for her Mom who is now in a personal care facility. I would think once the word got out that you're good at it, then you could possibly do that for more than one person.

If you like plants and gardening why not look into working part time at a nursery?

Simply suggestions. I hope you find the perfect position to meet your needs.

With all your experience as a CNA, have you considered working for a company that sends out "visiting nurses" to homebound clients? I did some extensive work last year for a man who had his mother in a "mother-in-law" suite in the house. She had a visiting nurse every day for 3-4 hours, and I feel certain the (mostly) women probably had another client the same day, giving them a full day/week's work.

My mother, in a Family Care Home, has Visiting Health Professionals who see several of the clients there on a regular basis. Mother gets her suprapubic catheter changed bi-weekly by them, and they also do PT and OT.

Working for yourself from home will seldom be stress-free. There's always the pressure to both the household stuff and the business stuff at the same time.

Another thought: There are companies who do health care exams for insurance companies, and hire out the exams to examiners who usually have a health care background like nursing, paramedics, etc. Portamedic is one national company I know of. My housemate worked for them for several years, as office help, sending the requests for the exams out to the field, and following up on the reports. They had about 25 examiners, all over the regional 13 counties. The examiners go out to the homes, and take BP, weight, etc. Some take a course and get qualified so they can also take blood samples if required. It is usually a commission job and some of the examiners make really great money.

You could call your insurance agent and ask who they use for their health exams for life ins. policies.

Fairyhunter, CNA's are in real demand at home health agencies. Typically, CNA's are responsible for bath care, assisting with ADL's, etc. And the visits are normally no longer than 45 minutes. So, the chances of having to work with someone that needs so much care are more limited.

Also, private duty nursing agencies (usually a division of a home health agency) are always looking for shift work sitters and companions. Usually, you can pick and chose which assignments that you are willing to take.

Good luck.....Nat

I agree with the above mentioned and would look into a Home Health care position. I don't know of too many jobs in that field as I'm not experienced with it. I do have a certification in the Medical Office Technology field but that's mainly to work in a medical office and do payroll, transcription, scheduling, insurance claims, and such.....

Hope you find something that is easier for your back. I can't believe they would make you do such work when it does nothing but injure you everytime :(

Thanks for the many suggestions. I certainly am considering all of them. I think that by striking out on my own I will have more freedom of choice. It certainly has not been fun to be told you "have" to do this or that. It hasn't felt much like a free country for me lately. More like I was owned by a dictatorship. And people should never make someone do something they would never do themselves. I am thinking of placing an add in the paper to see how much interest we have here in my community. I know we have agencies who I could get work for tomorrow. I am not really interested in trading in one tyrant for another. I am not a rebel by nature. Just someone tired of being bossed around when I already know what I do is quality work. You can't teach someone to be caring and kind. work isn't for everyone. I just want to go to work without being bullied or hurting my back.

How about trying to do this on your own basis as an independant since you're certified, maybe you could start by putting an ad in the paper for your services? Not sure how all that works but it may be a shot. That way you could choose the sort of assignments you take on. Or even do it on the side if you find something else that doesn't occupy all of your time and start working up a clientelle :)

Just some thoughts thrown out here ;)

I certainly can understand the position you are in. I was a CNA for over 15 years and wish I had gotten out of that line of work so much sooner. I waited until the lifting and injuries from getting struck in the back by Dementia patients caused me to have 3 herniated discs and degenerative disc desease from all the injuries through the years.
Home Health care is a great option and also putting an add in the paper for private duty in the home as very seldom if at all is there any lifting.

How wonderful that you enjoy and are skilled in this important form of care delivery! May you be led to the very best kind of employment, whether independent or as part of a group, that will be kind to your physical body at the same time that it allows you to use your trained abilities and express your desire to help others.

How hard is it to become a Nurse Practioner? With so many HMOs and other providers now using them, there must be a demand, and you already have so much with your certification and experience. In the small town next to Georgetown, two nurses set up a clinic and are performing the function of Primary Care Provider for numerous area agencies. Judging by the waiting room and parking lot, they must have been an instant success.

I know that the nurse practitioner I know is as qualified as most Doctors. I think she had quit a bid of Colledge. I went to work today and gave my two weeks notice. They tried to talk me into staying. I visited a local Veterinary Hospital and they hired me there. I think I will like it but if I don't I will certainly put an add in the newspaper to see what happens with that.

Wow, a veterinary hospital!!! Never thought about that, I would "love" that one but then again I wouldn't like to see any of them when they were hurt and in pain :(

It may be something that you really like though.......keep us posted

That sounds perfect. I wish you much luck with your new job.

Best wishes in your new line of work. I hope that you will truly enjoy it, and -- as you say -- if not, you can keep looking and eventually the most compatible job match will appear for you.

I sure wish you were here to help me with my Mother. Some days when she needs my help I already have other things planned that I really have to do and so I go around in stress trying to reschedule things. If I had someone who would be there for her four hours a day or so then I might get some more trades going in DG that I can actually complete on time. sigh.

I have worked as a certified Vet Tech in the past and loved the work but when my vet retired I couldn't find a vet I could get along with as I had been trained his way and they wanted me to change to a way that seemed much harder than what I had already done.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Lani

FairyHunter, I know that most animal "patients" are far easier to get along with than the human ones!

fairyhunter - you definitely made the right decision. A friend of a friend really messed up her back as a nurses aid in a nursing home. She has had numerous surgeries and can't do any physical type of work. And to add to this sad story, her only child was paralyzed in a car accident several years ago. They can't afford the care that he needs and she can't take care of him so the grandparents have to take care of him.

I will miss the residents on my assignments terribly. I am counting down the days I have left with them. I wanted to tell them myself but one of the nurses told them. I thought that was very thoughtless of her. One of my residents is particularly dear to me. Her daughter was questioning me today about "my new Job" I could tell she is very sad. I myself have been crying a lot. If I could stay just for this one resident I would. My decision is made though and my new job is lined up. I start one of my orientation days next Sunday because it is my weekend off. I know I made the best decision for me. Someone is always getting hurt. Sad to go yet excited the next minute about my future opportunities. I am still thinking of doing some volunteer work for the facility. Voluntary work would entitle me to do what I want and not what they tell me. The thought of this has made my decision to quit less sad.

Nebraska Jewel I am sorry about your friend. Too bad people have to sacrifice their backs to earn a living and help out people who would otherwise not have a very good quality of life.

Fairyhunter, I agree with you, it wuld have been better if you had been able to tell the residents yourself. But at least you will have time to speak with them before you leave, and say farewell in the ways that seem right. You know that I'm wishing you the very best in your new work opportunity. Please keep us posted!

Fairyhunter, your new job sound great. Best of luck.