Why be a CNA?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I don't understand. While being a CNA is hard, it is not rocket science. You basically have to WORK, and you have to CARE. So many CNAs don't do either one. I don't know how they go home and sleep well knowing that they left their residents soaked and cold and dirty. Why don't they just go work at a gas station. Lord knows they'd get paid better. Very few things make me as angry as when my people are not getting the care they deserve. It makes me want to cry. Bad day.

Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

TriageRN_34, sounds like your med techs (and CNAs) are getting well-trained! :D

Sometimes it irritates me that some of ours don't get more than 10 minutes' training and then it's "sink or swim". Last night my co-worker pulled a double shift and told me that her heart sank to her feet when she learned that a resident recently missed several doses of Dilantin (due to the oversight of several med techs).

I feel that if ALs are going to train NA's to pass meds, they need to be screened carefully and trained thoroughly. Do they know how and why VS need to done on residents? Do they know why and how the narc count is done? Have they been trained to document properly and completely on the MAR? Do they know the time frame for a med pass? I could go on and on...I've seen some real boo-boos in the med books lately and wonder what kind of training some of the new MTs got.

I am almost certain that the CNA program will not include passing meds. In my state the med tech must take an additional test.

AS for those who look down at CNAs. always remember that there attitude reveals their character. Most of all, I believe all levels of nursing are a composite of skills, judgement, and character. You will mature in all areas as you experience the challenges of the job.

I'm surprised that CNAs would be allowed to pass meds, since they aren't nurses. Does that vary state-by-state? The certification test here in Jersey has a written part, and a skills part, but it doesn't include anything about passing medications.

Unfortunately, as a housekeeper, I am used to being looked down upon by people who think my job is unimportant, demeaning, or "bad." I've learned not to let that bother me anymore, since I know that it takes a lot of skill, stamina, and patience to do what I do, and that I always did the best job that I could. I hope this "attitude" will help me when I'm a CNA.

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

CNAs should never pass meds. Period.

Specializes in Nursing assistant.
I'm surprised that CNAs would be allowed to pass meds, since they aren't nurses. Does that vary state-by-state? The certification test here in Jersey has a written part, and a skills part, but it doesn't include anything about passing medications.

Unfortunately, as a housekeeper, I am used to being looked down upon by people who think my job is unimportant, demeaning, or "bad." I've learned not to let that bother me anymore, since I know that it takes a lot of skill, stamina, and patience to do what I do, and that I always did the best job that I could. I hope this "attitude" will help me when I'm a CNA.

CNA are not allowed to pass meds at all, but some cna's can go through a very 'fast" course here in NC to become Med Techs. I personally question that practice. I would want a licensed nurse to give my mom meds!

as cna's we are often the only human contact these people have. they are to the rest of society the living dead in most cases.

the family wants to remember them as they were so they in effect no longer exist.

fortunately we in our facility have no classes and the nurses interact with the cna's freely. at times with bonuses and overtime i am earning as much as the nurses. some cna' have an attitude of the residents as them - a different type of huminoid. i always remember that could be me just as easily one day and practically no one chooses such a circumstance.

as cna's we are often the only human contact these people have. they are to the rest of society the living dead in most cases.

the family wants to remember them as they were so they in effect no longer exist.

fortunately we in our facility have no classes and the nurses interact with the cna's freely. at times with bonuses and overtime i am earning as much as the nurses. some cna' have an attitude of the residents as them - a different type of huminoid. i always remember that could be me just as easily one day and practically no one chooses such a circumstance.

this is why people who don't have empathy should not become cnas. if they can't put themselves in their patient's place, and see things from a patient's perspective, then this is not the job for them.

I totally agree with you. I started out as a cna and then went to nursing school.

So many hard-working cnas don't get the appreciation they deserve. I feel cnas

are the backbone of the nursing staff. Thanks for all of the hard work you do.

You can't run a hospital without them.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

It's not just CNAs, but I work with a nurse or two that seems to have hours and hours of free time a night to sit. I cringe when I think of how their patients are being taken care of.....oh yeah, the CNA is taking care of them...thank God. :)

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