Snapped at a nurse student last night, she had a bad case of Nursitis

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.

I hate nursing students that haven't been an aid before, nursitis was running rampant. I had a 350 lb that needed a hibiclense prior to heart surgery. I asked if the nursing student extern, could help me with the bath as the patient said she was dizzy and unsteady. The nurse extern said that baths were the aides job and why was I asking for help. So, I reminded her that I was a nursing assistant....that all jobs from head to toe were Nursing duties and that it was my job to help with those duties. You could tell she had never been an aide, I believe that she felt that she was a nurse after all and above helping to do an aides job.

I did tell her that:

1. As a CNA I already realize I'm at the bottom of the healthcare ladder, no point in being blatant about pointing it out.

2. Catch me on a bad day and you may be doing the baths anyway as aides can and often do quit, making low wages at Walmart is a lot easier than making it as an aide.

I did complain to the charge nurse and nurse manager, of course that is a total overreaction on my part, I guess it's just that I hate nursing students and being reminded of my lowly status as an aide, especially by a student nurse.

Tony

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm really sorry that happened to you, Tony. I know some fellow nursing students who have the attitude that they "didn't go to nursing school to wipe butts!" That attitude is very selfish and disrespectful, and undermines the dignity of the patient. In my opinion, these students will be poor nurses and poor team players in the work setting.

Please know that many nursing students understand and appreciate CNAs and recognize that they do a vital but underappreciated job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Why would you feel you are at the bottom of the ladder? As a NS in her last semester, I have learned so much from the CNA's, could not have done it without them! I have the utmost respect for them. I am sorry that the NS made you feel this way, she should be ashamed of herself. You do a very important job, and nurses could not do what they do without this important job position. Keep doing what you do, and THANK YOU!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm not a fan of rude nursing students either. Some of them are equally as rude to nurses as well.

But, when I was a nursing student, I found far more rude CNAs who "assumed" that I was one of 'those' nursing students' before actually talking with me.

Many had big chips on thier shoulders when we came through. Now, once I told them I had been a tech forever, the attitudes usually subsided.

Here's what I've found. People don't like to be disrespected. CNAs often feel (and usually rightfully so) disrespected by nursing students who have the I don't have to do 'that' anymore' attitude.

As a nursing student and new nurse, I went out of my way to do all the patient care. Of course, being in an ICU, that's easier than a MS floor.

I think it can be fixed with a good talk by the clinical instructor in the beginning of clinicals. If I were a clinical instructor (in about 5 years or so..) I would say things like "don't ever say that it's a CNAs job," etc.

Being a nurse means multi-tasking even when you don't have the time. And it also means being professional to all the staff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Tony

I am currently a NS and I rely on the CNA's to help me learn how to move, bathe and many other things that I have only practiced in lab. I want to thank all of you for the terrific job that you do everyday. :bowingpur

Luckily our instructors have told us numerous times not think we are above wiping butts or better than the CNA's.

I have had to wipe bottoms and clean up vomit and plan to do so as a nurse. I would not change those experiences for anything in the world,; as I know that the patient and their families are grateful for our work and compassion.

The NS was out of line and thank you for setting him/her straight.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with a student, but more sorry that you "hate nursing students" and that not having been an aide before is going to make anyone judge me as you have generalized.

Please don't take it out on all of us (nursing students) when you have a problem with some students. We are not all like that, and I, for one, am the one on the lowest end of the totem pole, not you. I don't even have a license, and am only in your facilities by the grace and generosity of the facility and my teachers, and that is a trust and generosity on the parts of all involved that I take very seriously.

I would never refuse to help you if my teacher did not already have other tasks for me. I would never treat you badly for doing whatever it takes to make your patients comfortable. I would never look down on you, or anyone for that matter, based on something like the supposed hiearchy of medical environment staffing. Medical facilities would not function without you, and nurses could not do their jobs without assistants. Just so, nursing assistants would not be able to do their jobs without maintenance and housekeeping, and I give them the same smile and kind word that I would give a doctor or a CRNA or anyone else who is "higher up" than me, at any point in my career.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I believe that her response was very rude and uncalled for. I just want to throw something else out there, though. It could have been that the clinical instructor would not allow for her to assist. For example, I have been a CNA for years before entering nursing school, and we were told as nursing students that we cannot help lift unless told by her because if there was an accident, it would be under the license of the clinical instructor we are assigned to. And, if she didn't delegate that to one of her nursing students as an assignment, then we can be thrown from the program.

Again, I repeat, that this has nothing to do with the main point-which is that she spoke to you in a way that was very degrading, insulting and belittling. She should have been spoken to about that. And, let me tell you, that can bite her in the butt later on when she tells the CNAs that work under her license that they are benealth her...she'll see really soon that it is to her advantage to learn what you do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Management.

Don't worry Tony. I don't know how long you've been doing this kind of work, but be assured -- it's true, I've seen it -- what goes around, comes around. :twocents:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

It'll come back to her someday, when she's an RN and she wonders why all the CNA's hate working for her.....really, rule #1 about RN (or even nursing student) to CNA relations is treat each other with respect. Besides, if this is supposed to be a learning opportunity for her, then doesn't she need to learn pre-op care?!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Tech.Nursing Student.

Well ,you know what.. She needs to look in the Mirror and get a check on herself and realize what goes up must come down.If she thinks just because she's a nurse she can't be brought down with her stank lil attitude she's crazy. I'm trying to get my Nursing License if GOD will right now. I would never treat anyone like that even if my Teacher told me I couldn't I still would have tried to help you or get someone that could. That the kind of person that I am. Well keep your head up and enjoy your job and don't let anyone try and down grate you because your a Nursing Assistant.:scrying::scrying:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Once I asked a float CNA to help pull a patient up un bed. She said, "You a RN. You get the big money."

I told her the patient still needed to be pulled up.

She did help me and told the patient she was starting a BSN program in a couple months.

Well she first quit her CNA job and then dropped out of the nursing program. She's a communications major!

Maybe she realized "A RN' may not have it made.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MED SURG.

hey

this nursing student had no right to talk to you like that,and a ns like that will turn into another nurse that we dont need on the floor. i cant stand nurses who dont wanna do pt care. and the instructors that dont want to make them do pt. care. there is more to nursing then passing meds and i wont forget it when i am a nurse someday :nono:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment