What do RN's want out of CNA's

[forbidden2know]

This question is for RN's

I have been a secretary for 10 years and was laid off approx 3 years ago due to the slow economy , and now I have decided to get into a totally different line of work. I researched the medical field, CNA to be exact and I have also spent time volunteering in a LTC facility as well before I came to the decision to become a certified nurse assistance. Although, I realize the pay isn't that great from what I'm use to making, however, I believe I will enjoy not sitting behind a desk for 8 hours a day.

I sure have learned a lot coming here to allnurses.com and reading the post, things I wouldn't have thought of had I not read it here. I sure hope I'm making the right decision to become a CNA. I start class in two weeks and I'm scared and excited at the same time. I want the RN that I'm working under to say, she (talking about me) is a dang GOOD CNA and I'm happy to have her on board.,,

My question is, I want to know what you (the RN) wants out of a CNA. What do you dislike in CNA's or wish to be different about them.

Otherwords, what can I do to make you extremely happy with my work as a CNA,

and what are your dislikes in a CNA.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

Many states force people to participate in vocational training programs and get a job (or actively be searching for employment) if they are collecting public assistance. The nursing assistant (CNA) program is one of the most popular offerings because the training time is relatively quick and the schooling is affordable enough for states to fund.

Unfortunately, in many cities and states these welfare-to-workfare regulations have created a literally 'forced workforce' of people, mostly single females with children, who are working as CNAs when they'd really much rather be at home.

Wow. I hadn't considered that. I just feel like its such hard work, and oh so personal, I don't get how anyone who hated it could keep doing it. What you said makes sense though.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Many states force people to participate in vocational training programs and get a job (or actively be searching for employment) if they are collecting public assistance. The nursing assistant (CNA) program is one of the most popular offerings because the training time is relatively quick and the schooling is affordable enough for states to fund.

Unfortunately, in many cities and states these welfare-to-workfare regulations have created a literally 'forced workforce' of people, mostly single females with children, who are working as CNAs when they'd really much rather be at home.

Yep...... That is the God's honest truth. I worked in Home Health Care as a CNA scheduling coordinator and had to carry a pager 24/7 for no shows/no calls. Everyday there was at least one. But there were also a few CNAs who took the job seriously and would cover for the no show/no calls. They were the exception rather than the rule.

[nursejami]

I work in acute care, so my answers are a little specific...

Show initiative. If you notice something out of place, fix it (ex: I can't tell you how many times I walk into a room at night to find a patient SCD's are off. I love it when I have a CNA who will just put them on without me having to ask. Or who will notice before I even do!).

Know your abnormals and report them to the nurse ASAP! If someone's blood pressure is 180/90, I want to know right away. Even if you've been told it's their norm, I need to know! I might be able to do something about it/find the cause behind it! :) Notice a little skin breakdown? Same thing! Tell me about it, even if you were told the nurses already knew! Stool looking a little funky? Show it to me (I love health care)!

Give compassionate patient care. If someone's brief is wet, don't just stick a new brief on them. Clean them off! I hate, hate, hate when I catch someone doing this. How often do you use the bathroom without wiping??

Don't downgrade yourself. A CNA can make or break a nurse's night! When I was a CNA, I didn't fully understand my worth. A CNA who has been with a patient for a few days and gotten to know them can help out an RN more than another RN can, sometimes! Now that I'm a nurse, I appreciate every little thing. Just bringing fresh water into a room can not only make the patient happy, but it can save me time in my med pass!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Many states force people to participate in vocational training programs and get a job (or actively be searching for employment) if they are collecting public assistance. The nursing assistant (CNA) program is one of the most popular offerings because the training time is relatively quick and the schooling is affordable enough for states to fund.

Unfortunately, in many cities and states these welfare-to-workfare regulations have created a literally 'forced workforce' of people, mostly single females with children, who are working as CNAs when they'd really much rather be at home.

You know, I'd much rather be home, too. But I've gotten used to the idea of having food and shelter, so I drag myself off to work with my cancer, bad back and Stage 4 Osteoarthritis of both knees. Interestingly enough, my tax dollars are going to pay for public assistance for able bodied folks who would much rather be at home, and for medicaid for folks who are, according to both my orthopod and my physical therapist, much less disabled than me.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You know, I'd much rather be home, too.

I, too, prefer to be home.

A previous poster was wondering why certain coworkers are CNAs when they never act as if they want to work, and I simply provided the welfare-to-workfare regulations as a speculative guess/answer.

The most popular training programs for women on public assistance who are being forced into the workforce include the CNA program, medical assisting, computer office clerk, childcare worker, and dental assisting. Sometimes certain women have completed multiple training programs due to a repeated inability to secure employment.