Are CNA's considered "Nurses"?

Dixiedi · May 25, 2004

I am a new nurse but was a CNA for 15 years before going to school. I was never referred to as a nurse when I was a CNA. I recently went to work in a Doc office where the CNA refers to herself as a Nurse and all of the office personelle refer to her as a nurse. She does everything that I do. I was suprised at this. I have since found that many Doc offices utilize CNA's as nurses. Is this a new thing? I don't want to sound caddy but it just kind of seems like my blood, sweat and tears I put into Nursing school was for nothing if a CNA can do my job. Please don't think this is a smack to CNA's because I have much respect for them as I was one myself for so many years. I would just like to hear some opinions.

Nurse is not a noun restricted in conversation to licensed individuals. Nannies are often called nurses. The legalilty becomes an issue if that nanny presents herself as a licensed LPN/RN instead of a nanny.

I do have to agree that it is very confusing to the general public.

She works for an MD. If he wants to take responsibilty for her, she is allowed to do the same things you do. If she presented herself as a licensed nurse when she applied for the job, she is legally wrong and subject to practicing with out a license.

It hasn't been all that long ago nurses were not licensed. Referring to non-licensed individuals as nurses is fading into the sunset but it is still not illegal to use the word in one of the traditional references.

When I was fresh out of schol myself I worked with an "old" nurse who hadn't gone to school at all. She was grandfathered. She was very legally a nurse.

Nurse_Ben · May 25, 2004

See the nursing practice act for your state. I outlines limits of care for employees. CNA's are reffered to as unlicensed assistive personel (UAP). They don't have a license!

Alnamvet · May 25, 2004

Hate to burst your one-dimensional bubble, but an LPN is a nurse, that's kinda what the N stands for. :) And being an LPN does not make me some sort of "poorly prepared wanna be". I took the course i took because it offered way more classroom time, and almost 3 times the clinical time, plus a lot of my classes will transfer to whereever i choose to go to school next.
And unless you want to pay for all the Licensed Practical Nurses to go back to school for further education, then you're going to have to get used to it. Licensed Practical Nurses are needed and they are valuable. They may not be able to work everywhere, but if they are happy with where they are, more power to them.
As for "respect" (ironic that you used that word after being so insulting), it makes it way more difficult to earn the respect when someone already has the mentality that you're the dirt beneath their feet all because you're not an RN. But then again, if someone is that insulting to those who do not have the same nursing education, does it REALLY matter whether i'd get their respect, since they hold me in such little regard for being a CNA and then an LPN. Is it worth it fighting for the respect as a "poorly prepared wanna be"? No it's not. Life's too short to waste on supposedly 'fellow' nurses who are so disrespectful to others in healthcare.

You are right...just like the N in CNA....and the N in NA....and like the N in NT....a CNA and a LPN just doesn't cut it anymore; get over it....feel slighted? that's on you...get used to it :stone

Dixiedi · May 25, 2004

You are right...just like the N in CNA....and the N in NA....and like the N in NT....a CNA and a LPN just doesn't cut it anymore; get over it....feel slighted? that's on you...get used to it :stone

Now that is funny... So what makes any other nursing preparation so much more advanced than it was a few years back? LOL

What makes you think LPN schools don't keep up with the times? WOW the arrogance of some nurses is totally amazing!

leslie :-D · May 25, 2004

You are right...just like the N in CNA....and the N in NA....and like the N in NT....a CNA and a LPN just doesn't cut it anymore; get over it....feel slighted? that's on you...get used to it :stone

that's pretty hostile al. shame on you. lpn's are nurses. get over it AND yourself. :stone

NP2BE · May 25, 2004

. What we need is to increase the standards, require that ALL health care providers take the same pre-reqs as a pre-med, pre-nursing, pre-PA...after the pre-reqs are met, one may choose the MD/DO route, nursing route, Paramedic route, PT route. care provider.

and you think there is a nursing shortage now????????

happystudent, RN · May 25, 2004

The time has come to eliminate so-called caregivers who's only training is how to do a BP, change a diaper, d/c an IV, and administer a limited amount of drugs. The times are a changin', and the need for poorly prepared wannabees is ending. .

You can' t be serious! So, basically anyone who is not an RN is beneath you?

Wow, your attitude seems as though you've never worked in a busy hospital or nursing home. Or maybe you have.

I would love to see how well you handle 7 pts that need total care, assessments and meds all by your lonesome........

Your arguement DOESN'T FLY with me............... but thats MY OPINION.. Just like you have your own......

(tryin' to understand your theory :uhoh21: )

TO THE OP:

Maybe you should ask the doc for a clarification of her role.

pgrsctrn2be · May 25, 2004

Having been an LPN for 12 years I take personal offense that "LPN, CNA Just doesn't cut it any more" I started as a CNA, worked my way through LPN school, all so I could provide more for the patients in my care. While giving care to any pt at any level I give 100% and do any thing possible in my current scope for them. I have also worked as a medic and currently a new grad RN. The LPN progran I graduated from is one of the best in the state and the grads from this program are highly respected for their ability to deliver quality care.

To those of you that are currently CNAs and LPNs, keep up the great work and I for one respect the you for working as hard as you all do to provide quality care to your patients.

leslie :-D · May 25, 2004

to all lpn's---please don't even dignify that op's post with a response. we all know your value and it bothers me to see you nurses trying to vindicate your self worth.

SmilingBluEyes · May 25, 2004

all i can say is, wow

alnamvet ya did it again!

shoot score! it's amazing how you do that.

Enjonel · May 25, 2004

I don't think the BON recognizes practicing under someone else's license :) Good heavens, if they did, we might all be doing it! I know I would have preferred not to have to pay for nursing school!

She is not a nurse and should not be doing nursing duties... to me, that is like me getting a surgeon to show me how to remove a gall bladder, then I can do it under his license, and tell the patients to call me Doctor....

I encourage you to explore your options on this...I also would be wondering what the legal ramifications were for me working in this office, knowing this CNA is practicing outside the scope of her certification. You're the nurse... are you liable for her mistakes since you know she is practicing outside her certification? Are you considered in any way her "supervisor"? I think you are in dangerous legal waters...

SmilingBluEyes · May 25, 2004

students practice under their INSTRUCTORS' licenses all the time. And RN's supervise these people, so by this virtue, some are "acting under the umbrella" of THEIR licensure, as well. But this does not make students or CNA's NURSES!!!! The State BON's have plenty to say on this.