Okay, I do not want to insult anyone or step in a hornets nest here, but I have a serious question. Recently my hubby had surgery, and everyone at the hospital would ask"are you a nurse?" to which I would reply "No, I am a CNA". Most of the time it was accepted and the nurses, techs, etc were happy to let me do most of the care for my man, and were very appreciative. There were 2 or 3 nurses that asked me "why not continue my education and become a "real nurse"? I gave my reasons for not wanting to, in a mild tone, without judgement.
The reasons I listed are 1. I am very satisfied with my life. I was in nursing school when I gave birth to my first child and chose to be a stay at home mom to my 2 boys, so decided to not finish. 2. Nursing has changed considerably over the last 26 year, so I chose to return to school and go the CNA path and am quite satisfied. I have much respect and admire good nurses, as I do good teachers, but chose not to pursue either path.
The responses I got from these 2 or 3 nurses was off the charts over reaction. They were so insulted and rude. One even told me she did not believe me, that all CNAs and TECHs say that , but they are really just frustrated with their jobs. So my question is this: Are you insulted by this as a nurse? Does it bother you that some would choose not to continue on the education path and be "just a CNA"? Does it insult you as a nurse that I feel like your job is not the job I aspire to and I am happy where I am? I work 2-3 shifts/wk. and truly enjoy my low key, 3-11 position. What are your thoughts, please. Did I say something wrong????
Specializes in Long term care, rehab, memory care.
So, you are "just" a CNA. Do not let the terrible attitude of these few nurses sour you to your chosen profession! As a nurse for nearly 16 years I can tell you that there is a big shortage of "just" CNA's who choose to stay CNA's. A CNA can make or break their institution - and their nurses! Don't let small people bring you down to their level. Stand proud for doing what you enjoy.
I ions that is their problemthink that if you want to stay a CNA it is ok! If ppl make you feel bad about ur descsion that is their problem. Being a RN or LVN takes more responsibility....even if they make a little more .
First off if you are truly happy with being a CNA then more power to you! Those nurses should NEVER have insulted you for your choice! Sad to say many nurses only get experience as a CNA during their fundamentals class and through part of their clinical rotations! I think that they should realize without CNA's they would have much more to juggle!
I have been a CNA for 9 years now and am in my junior year of a BSN program and feel so grateful that I had a chance to experience so much in the nursing field as "just" a CNA! Don't let these nurses get under your skin! Without CNA's being the eyes and ears of patients everywhere who knows where the nursing field would be at!
If every CNA chose to go to nursing school, there would be no experienced CNA's. I bet those insulted nurses would be begging for their CNA's to drop out of school. CNA's fill a much needed role in health care. I don't know where nursing would be without them.
I don't think you said anything wrong. There is nothing wrong with being happy with where you are in life. If the stress level and hours work well with your life, and you enjoy what you do, that's what matters...not what anyone else thinks. More power to you, and thank you for helping to make nurse's jobs less hectic and patients more comfortable. Being a CNA can be difficult, bless you for finding it rewarding.
You are doing valuable, honest work that merits respect and if you are also happy doing it, you are doing better than most of the working people out there. Kudos to you.
I hope those nurses who said you were "just" a cna don't mind it when the doctor says they are "just" nurses.
In many aspects, a good CNA knows just as much, if not more sometimes than the nurses about their residents. The CNAs provide the hands on care day and night. Nurses rely on you for help, information and guidance. Don't let the cranky nurses make you feel any less. Perhaps those nurses feel threatened. Thanks for your hard (back breaking) work :) Many appreciate it.
Thank you all for your replies. I feel good about myself and , in general, let things roll off me. All but one response here has been very positive. I admit, I am surprised when anyone questions another person's choice of vocation, as if it defines a person completely. After all, I am a woman, daughter, wife, mother, friend, etc..., and I hope I have done my best in all those roles. Thanks for the uplift. Many blessings to all.
Specializes in Acute Care Hosp, Nursing Home, Clinics.
OMG! What is wrong with those people? If it were me I would clone you many times over. You are a Godsend. Imagine someone who really loves careing for people. CNA work is physically and mentally very difficult and stressful and working with someone who cares and takes pride in their labor is a gift to nurses and patients alike. I wouldn't feel insulted. Iwould would feel blessed.:redbeathe
Sometimes I think some people simply cannot stand to see others happy. Or they have such a low opinion of the CNA role that they cannot believe anyone would want to do that job. But do you really care about the opinions of such-narrow people?
There is nothing wrong with the CNA role OR being happy in it!! It's great that you do a job you love... I'm kind of jealous myself
When I applied to nursing school I was asked why I wanted to be a nurse instead of a doctor several times. Now that I've finished school everyone wants to know why I'm in general nursing rather than seeking out a specialty. I guess it is just human nature to expect people to want to do more without considering the finance, energy, time etc. Some people forget that there is more to life than work. And a person's goals may not be work oriented. Your goals may be spending time with your family and nurturing your children. Now that I'm older my goals are certainly different than they were 20 years ago, they are a lot less self centered.
Those nurses should NEVER have insulted you for your choice! Sad to say many nurses only get experience as a CNA during their fundamentals class and through part of their clinical rotations! I think that they should realize without CNA's they would have much more to juggle! 
Don't let these nurses get under your skin! Without CNA's being the eyes and ears of patients everywhere who knows where the nursing field would be at!
Grammyx6
16 Posts
So, you are "just" a CNA. Do not let the terrible attitude of these few nurses sour you to your chosen profession! As a nurse for nearly 16 years I can tell you that there is a big shortage of "just" CNA's who choose to stay CNA's. A CNA can make or break their institution - and their nurses! Don't let small people bring you down to their level. Stand proud for doing what you enjoy.
Written by "just" an LPN...