Transition from CNA to nurse

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Cardiothoracic, Peds CVICU.

I wasn't really sure where to put this, but I thought maybe this discussion board would be appropriate. I work as a CNA in well known hospital in my area. I'm also in nursing school, looking to graduate next month. I would love to be selected for the new grad program at the hospital I currently work at. Most of the nurses I work with are awesome! I love the their teamwork. But, there are some that have definitely made me feel very mediocre at times. I'm not perfect, but I try my best. I have had these few nurses be very disrespectful to me, but be nice to other nurses. While this does not bother me as I know there will always be nurses who act like this toward other CNAs, I am concerned about what will happen if I become a new grad on my floor. I would say I do have thick skin, but I don't want their attitude to affect my work in a negative way as I imagine that I will be pretty stressed out as anew grad. Does anyone have any experience or insight on transitioning from the role of a CNA to a nurse? Would I be better off getting a fresh start at another hospital? Thanks!

I don't have transition experience but I have seen it. Sometimes you can get treated better sometimes the same. I wldnt go to a different hospital. I wld stay there especially if you like it. I'm not for sure where u live but it might be hard to find a job as a new grad and u already have a foot in the door as a CNA. Good luck!

I worked as an aide on a hospital floor before becoming a LPN. I couldn't work on my floor as one, as hospitals in my area do not hire LPNs. I knew I would have to transfer to a LTC facility within the company. So, I don't have any first hand experience of going from CNA to nurse all on the same floor.

But, while working there as an aide, I worked with many aides who did make that transition. None of them had any issues with nurses or aides not respecting them. None of us aides had problems working under someone who had been "one of us". And none of the experienced RNs had attitudes toward them either. We were all very happy and supportive for them. If anything, I think working on the same units where they had been aides made the transition that much smoother and eased the stress of being a new grad RN.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

There is always going to be a few who aren't the nicest people in the world; changing locations won't change that. If you can get hired on your floor, go for it! It will be easier since you already know where everything is, and the routines; and that you like the new grad program. Go for it!

I'm on the other side of the transitioning, I have former students who are now colleagues :)

I work at a Peds. Center as a LVN but have been there for 5 years as a CNA. Most of my co workers are very supportive but there is one that just for some reason seems like it just makes her day when she finds things wrong in my charting or when I forget to sign a MAR. If you truly like your job then I wouldn't leave your employer. If you have nurses who are not so pleasant like I have just kill them with kindness. :up:

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