[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by nitewarrior

If you notice i said in my experience i know that not all rn's are like this

I did notice that. But you also said, because of your experience, it should be a law.

That is the part I disagree with.

steph

[nitewarrior]

I am sure some people will disagree with that. But haven't you ever seen someone come on shift that has no idea on how to treat people. Nurses that dont know what their aides even have to do. Maybe not a law, but possibly employers could train their nurses to work on the floor as aides too. Then maybe noone would feel disrespected or like they are being treated as an idiot just because they arent a nurse.

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by nitewarrior

I am sure some people will disagree with that. But haven't you ever seen someone come on shift that has no idea on how to treat people. Nurses that dont know what their aides even have to do. Maybe not a law, but possibly employers could train their nurses to work on the floor as aides too. Then maybe noone would feel disrespected or like they are being treated as an idiot just because they arent a nurse.

My own experience in nursing school is that the first patient care we did was total basic patient care - baths, toileting, making beds, etc. I remember the return demonstrations in making beds with patients in them.

I work side by side with the CNA's - how could I not respect them? It is very hard work and very important work.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree here.

steph

[coolvibesRN]

Originally Posted by nitewarrior

I am an LPN but I think it should be a law that you have to be a CNA before being any kind of nurse. Just to say something from my experience, nurses who havent been aides don't seem to be as appreciative as those who have or those who are willing to pitch in. I have had nurses who would not dain to get their hands dirty even if the patient was twice your size and you were the only aide there.

I was never a CNA before my LVN/LPN, but im always pitching in.So its not all nurses, just some.

[Cali2Atl]

i worked at unit secretary for seven years and then after completing on clinical rotation I became a patient care tech (nurse extern). It was great experience and working with the nurses was a great motivator.

[anticoagulationurse]

Aide to LPN to RN for me...

[campass]

I went from CNA to EKG tech to LPN and now going on to RN

[JHURN]

I thought it was a huge help to be a CNA before I graduated. I only did it during summer and holiday breaks though. But it absolutely helped me and has given me so much more respect for CNA's now that I am an RN. If you can do it I recommend it.

[TeleRNer]

One of the downsides to having been an aide is that more often than not I'll find myself doing aide things that I know I should be delegating to my aide. However, often times my aides have 13, 14 patients; way beyond the patient load I had (4 in stepdown). I agree, dealing with poop, blood, vomit, transfers all are consistant with nursing in general, knowing how to do the task quickly is the advantage of having been an aide. I don't have to wait around for my aide to do the "task" as others are sometimes having to do.

PS. Giving baths, brushing teeth, giving back rubs...all of these things help me to better assess and bond with my patient. And it gives me something to chart about besides; I so love charting! NOT!!!

PS PS...Yesterday I floated and had very good aides that were there for me all the way even helped me out with order entry with my new admit. I remember telling one early on, "Oh, I'll get the water for so and so, don't worry! You've got 13 patients so I don't mind helping you out a bit!" Later I told her that I'd been an aide in my past life. She looked surprised. Anyway, the night really went smoothly, thanks to the terrific CNA-tech workers ! ! !

[Piki]

Yup, I was a CNA (briefly). We lived in WI when I first applied to the ADN nursing program at the State technical college system, and no matter what track you were in - say surg tech, or ADN, or LPN - you couldn't even apply until you had registered for the CNA class. Now, you didn't have to take the state certification test to get into the program, but most of us did anyhow. I remember what the RN teaching the CNA class said, she had been an RN for 20 years and said you are never "too good" to wipe butts or give baths. Love that attitude.

I worked 3 mos part time in an assisted living then moved to another state (PA) and got into a nursing program here. I have the utmost respect for the aides and I help them out whenever I can - empty a foley bag if it is full or a j-p, etc. I don't consider myself "above" doing CNA work, we're all there to help the patient, kwim?

PS I am just a newbie nurse too. I hope to stay humble (and helpful).