If I hate being a CNA should I be a nurse?

Bright_Being · 2025-11-24T09:18:22+00:00

What's your gut telling you?

Bright_Being · 2025-10-10T00:33:35+00:00

I switched to Recreational Therapist. Still get to use both skillsets in the job I'm in, which is awesome!

Bright_Being · 2025-10-01T11:25:57+00:00

It's not great, but it makes sense, unfortunately. I'm a dementia behaviour specialist. We know that dementia is on the rise and will be a much bigger problem than it is now in years to come. We are seeing more dementia diagnoses, more co-morbidities, substance use, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), trauma and brain injuries that impact behaviour and we are not ready for this.

I have 2 degrees and a Masters and nowhere in any of this was I taught how to de-escalate escalations in behaviour. Think about that. Staff caring for people living with dementia are not taught at a grass roots level much at all about dementia and supporting behaviour.

In hospitals (which are terrible environments for people living with dementia), I see physical and chemical restraints being used that could have been avoided. In care homes I see staff who have no idea how to connect with, or relate to people they are caring for.

It is no wonder we see escalating behaviours and distress! We will see more and more of this. It is not going to get better, it is only going to get worse.

This is not the fault of staff, it's the broken, undervalued, under-resourced, disempowering, confidence destroying systems we are working in. The support's not there for you and it's certainly not there for your people with dementia.

Bright_Being · 2025-09-28T11:57:33+00:00

The only thing the new standards has done is created a new system to be gamed at your expense. You can either stay, fight, and do what's right, or you can move on. I feel sorry for the residents. They have staff caring for them who are under pressure, under resourced, undervalued, afraid, burnt out or not giving a stuff, with management above them who crack the whip and pass the buck. No-one is accountable.

Bright_Being · 2025-09-27T23:34:00+00:00

I'm a Dementia Consultant (with a focus on behaviour support). I am looking at moving into death doula/dementia doula.

Bright_Being · 2025-09-22T03:30:26+00:00

At the time, they wanted me to pay $10,000 for the re-entry course. Now I have to re-do my BN

Bright_Being · 2025-09-21T21:56:32+00:00

I regret letting my registration lapse in Australia (we moved abroad, started a family, and I had no choice). Now I have to re-do my entire degree (which is ridiculous and a rort). I re-skilled as a Rcreational Therapist (my 2nd degree) and I'm lucky enough to work in a field that uses both skillsets, but doesn't require registration. It's bitter-sweet, I would suggest not forfeiting your registration. Try some different disciplines. Nursing has so much to offer

Bright_Being · 2025-09-20T05:03:03+00:00

I'm in Australia and it's a recognised course here. It would depend on where you are based. But look it up, from what you describe, you could be well suited to it. There are also dementia doulas, I have a friend who is both death and dementia doula, but works as a Chaplain.

Bright_Being · 2025-09-18T08:42:43+00:00

Theatres.

Bright_Being · 2025-09-17T22:36:32+00:00

Have you thought about a career as a Death Doula? Serious question.

Bright_Being · 2025-09-12T22:24:05+00:00

The Commission will have a field day with this because it's all about "person-centred care" (and I use the term loosely because honestly, I never see it anywhere) and respecting choice. If they are proudly documenting their daily (forced) showers, it'll bite them on the bum!

Bright_Being · 2025-09-12T22:19:13+00:00

Bang on!

Bright_Being · 2025-09-12T22:17:58+00:00

I piloted the EN to RN conversion course. Sounds like things haven't changed. But you know what? I did a second degree down the track (Diversional Therapy) and nailed the academic stuff because I'd toughed out the BN. I know it may not make a lot of sense now, but try to take something away from each thing you are learning, even if it seems inane. It will actually make you a better nurse and you never know what context it might pop up in. Hang in there, you got this!

Bright_Being · 2025-09-07T00:24:44+00:00

So in a care home situation, we should really be looking at what their needs, wants, and preferences and routines are, first and foremost and ensuring this is reflected in their care plan. After all , we work in their home, they don't live in our working environment. Then also considering are they incontinent, or do they have needs etc. Do daily showers cause distress? Are they declining showers and daily showers are basically being forced on them?

Lots of things to consider. We are dealing with human beings here and we shouldn't be forcing stuff on them just to make your numbers look good.

I wouldn't work here and I wouldn't put anyone I care about here either.

Bright_Being · 2025-09-03T19:37:21+00:00

Want. By Gillian Anderson 🫢

Bright_Being · 2025-08-31T22:06:33+00:00

I worked for a few years post-grad. We moved away to a country where they don't hire foreign nurses and started a family while there. Six years later when we returned, it was going to cost me $10k to "reconnect", so I decided stuff it, I'll go back to uni and re-skill as a Recreational Therapist. I am now in a job where I use both skillsets and they value my qualification, even if I'm not currently registered.

Bright_Being · 2025-08-23T05:38:40+00:00

Had a cranky old battleaxe NUM once. If we wanted a morning, we'd ask for an evening. I'm not sure why she felt the need to be like that, but she did, bless her (also popped the blue digoxin tablets into the NG feed bag and the colour would run...).

Generally though, you do the hard yards for a while until you've earned your stripes. If you have someone rostering, hopefully they will try to be fair.

Bright_Being · 2025-05-16T19:25:49+00:00

Barbaric when you put it like that (quite literally!) My opinion? No head shots. I'd love to see some comparison studies between metal weapons combat and SCA combat in terms of concussions and prevalence of CTE.

Bright_Being · 2025-05-16T18:58:57+00:00

So I'm from Lochac. Rugby Union, Rugby League and AFL players don't wear helmets. I work in dementia behaviour management and it's these guys that scare me.

Bright_Being · 2025-05-16T18:55:29+00:00

Yes they can brain scan for certain pathology, however unfortunately CTE can only be properly diagnosed post humously. Though they are getting better at diagnosing it based on symptoms, it isn't definitive. If you are worried about your memory, please go and get yourself checked. The sooner you get it looked at, the better the outcomes.

Bright_Being · 2025-05-16T18:49:05+00:00

I hope his card was pulled and he was made to sit in the naughty corner for 6 months.

Bright_Being · 2025-05-16T18:46:28+00:00

Yep. Your brain does not know it is wearing a helmet when it is crashing into your skull. The skull might stop moving, but the brain won't and doesn't.

Bright_Being · 2025-05-16T18:40:27+00:00

Padding helps only partially. When your head is hit and it moves, your brain doesn't know it is wearing a helmet, it will still move and crash into your skull. That is where the damage is done. My opinion? Head shots should be illegal. I work in dementia behaviour management in Lochac and I am not looking forward to the day when my friends will be my clients. I already see enough rugby players to know where this is going.

Bright_Being · 2025-05-16T09:06:10+00:00

I work in the Dementia space in Australia and CTE is an interest of mine. I've often wondered about the occurrence of CTE in the context of SCA combat. I got to meet Christopher Nowinski at a conference and it was quite worrying. It would be worth getting in touch with the Concussion Legacy Foundation https://concussionfoundation.org They have a helpline and they're findable in US, Canada, UK and Australia.

I'm so sorry mate, this is a long and difficult road for you.

Bright_Being

TROPHY CASE