respect between CNAs and Nurses

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

I have been a CNA for four years now. I became a CNA and started nursing school in 2008. Before working, I pictured nurses and the work field to be a happy place and lots of team work. I applied at a nursing home, and got a rude awakening. The nurses were rude, lazy, and unappreciative of your job. We were told by the DON that we are replaceable. The workload was rough, especially working midnights with two whole halls. The nurses did not answer call lights, do not help reposition, and ignore you when you tell them about residents.

After dealing with this nursing home for a while, I decided to go to another one. This nursing home makes sure to stay staffed, more team work than the other, but the nurses were still rude. I have a seen a pattern of cynical people, why become a nurse to complain about everything? On top of being rude to CNAs, some nurses are even rude to the residents! They do not pass out all their meds, do not their treatments, do not report all falls, and make no effort to go the extra mile.

Things have changed since the old days of nursing, more things are required of nurses and you rarely have the chance to interact with residents due to excessive paperwork, but attitude is not the way to help it. Not all nurses are disrespectful to CNAs, but most are. Why? Because our title is not the same as yours, do not make us lesser human beings! I am so sick of being called just a CNA as well.

I've been a Can for 7 years now and am about to complete a vn program and plan to continue my education....I have had quite a wild ride as a Can and have experienced much disrespect from nurses as well as made some really good friends with nurses. CNA are notriously disrespected and it's not OK,but in in my education as a vn I see that nurses have a heck of a lot of responsibility and though I do not condone any disrespect I see why some nurses act I'll mannered and I see now it comes from insecurity believe it or not.the nurses who k know who have been awesome are completely competent and amazing human beings whereas the ones the demean cnas are insecure in their profession and feel the need to degrade those they deem lower than them.feel sorry for them not angry. Im a smiling and positive yes girl and have had nurses purposely try to make my job hard and when I was younger I uses to take it and now I very politely and calmly let my feelings be known to them and it seems to work. Some nurses who've never been cna right fully feel they have more responsibility and fail to realize the back breaking physical work cnas go through (especially in sub-acute) but not all are like that. Just be sure to know your value and be assertive with those that put you down and the good ones will see you for what you are. I'm going to be a nurse soon and as long as my cna is respectful in will always value the back breaking sacrifice they make for my patients.

Sorry for all my typos BTW lol

I agree! Mutual respect. there are some mean cna and mean nurses...I think it comes from insecurity on both parts....if you are happy with your work and know you do well then there's no reason to put others down!and your right also about the place you work having an effect...s*** runs downhill lol

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