[Spidey's mom]

I still think it depends on the character of the person as to whether they help out the CNA's.

As I said, I never took a CNA course and never worked as a CNA and I learned all the CNA "stuff" my very first semester in nursing school and in clinical we all started out doing CNA "stuff". Total patient care included getting our pt to the shower or doing a bedbath. Changing linen. Cleaning dentures or brushing teeth. Back rubs. Emptying bedpans, urinals, bedside commodes. Doing I's and O's. Emptying foley's. Etc. That was part of nursing school.

I am not saying do not take a CNA course or work as a CNA. I'm saying you can opt not to do so, learn it in nursing school and still be a great team player.

As I mentioned, I love my CNA's and we have developed a team approach to patient care.

And I have met, as I mentioned, nurses who were CNA's who did not help - so, there is no guarantee . . except for having the innate values that make a nurse help a CNA.

steph

[goettin98]

Yes, I was a CNA for 3 years while I went to nursing school. In my opinion, at the nursing home where I worked and the hospital where I am currently, you can certainly tell which nurses had been an aide and which hadn't! In my state, now you have to have your CNA certification before you can even apply for nursing school and I think that is wonderful. You don't have to work as an aide, but I think many do until they get into school or during school.

[NursesRmofun]

I was a CNA/Tech several months during my LPN program, then was a LPN, and then a RN. I had the experience of it all....I even was a registrar before a CNA!

[MSBYRD0915]

I Was A Cna For 3 Yeasrs Lpn 10 Yrs Now Rn Since 1991

[nursejane236]

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.

Couldn't have been said better!

[longjourneydream]

[quote=nursejane236;2418829]Couldn't have been said better

Now who would you help first; one who is gracious and willing to pitch in when someone needs help, or one who barks orders and expects techs and aides to do all the work?

I know which one I would help.

[somedayrn2008]

NurseJane, i never did CNA or Aide stuff at all before going to nursing school, and i fully appericate ppl. I work my butt off not only to help myself, but other too. I was a paramedic in the Army and then i worked as an MA for 6 years before finally starting my core classes. I took gen ed's for 2 yrs b4 i got into core classes. but i was also raised to work my *** off, appericate others and ALWAYS help. So, NOT everyone can be clumped into that or made to CNA's first. not trying to argue or be mean, but not everyone is like that.
-H-

[Sabby_NC]

Originally Posted by stevielynn

Thank you. I do appreciate all the work CNA's do. I do help out. I believe in teamwork. And it has to do with inner character - not necessarily being a CNA first.

I've told the story before about the laziest RN I ever knew was a CNA for years, then an LVN and finally got her RN. She never helped.

Does that mean all nurses who were CNA's first were lazy? No.

It all boils down to what kind of person are you?

steph

Well said and I wholeheartedly agree. Our CNA's rock and we could not function without them. They are truly the backbone of our organization.

[mosin46]

yea,but we were called orderlies back in the stone age.

[Kimbalou]

Yes, I worked as an aid. The hospital would also hire us as student nurse aides when we were in school, and we made more money than a CNA. I recommend it.