CNA agitation

[HisTreasure]

I posted this over in the LPN corner as well to get the POV of the licensed professionals, but I would also like to hear from fellow students. Here is the situation:

Our school had a blood drive last month, and being O- I decided I would donate. Upon entering the auditorium, I knew the young gentleman doing the donor interview as a person who had started the surgical technician program in September but had been dropped from the program because of grades. Instead, he came back in November and obtained his CNA. Good for him! :yelclap: CNAs are very important. Anyhow, I told him it was nice to see him and that I was pleased he had gotten a good job so quickly. He then replies, "Oh yea. I have two. One at MCH, one with the Red Cross. I became a nurse and then it was really easy to get a job." I smiled, but inside I was infuriated. I know I should have said something, but I couldn't. I was too angry and afraid I would hurt his feelings. In no way am I downplaying the CNA title, nor am I saying these valuable individuals do not work hard to get their certification. What angers me is how someone can have the gall to say they are a nurse when in no way have they put in the hours or paid the dues I have. My family and I have sacrificed A LOT this year so I could follow my dreams, and we have a long way to go as I transition from LPN to RN. Not only is it illegal for a CNA to call themselves a nurse, it is insulting to me. Am I the only one who feels this way?

[RedSox33RN]

I, too, have noticed this. I've seen some CNA's brag about themselves being a nurse and it irritates me greatly. Nurses have worked so very hard to get the title RN, while CNA's don't have as much education. Nearwhere near the education.

It bugs me in my own doctor's office, I call on something and they tell me to talk to my doctor's nurse in the office, and I found out recently that she's not a nurse, not an LPN. I got rather irate and complained to the office manager.

There is an MA in my doc's office that calls herself a nurse, and I did complain about it (this was even before I was in nursing school). How many times to patients ask this person something, believing they can answer, when this person really has to say, "Gee, I don't know. I'll have to ask the nurse."

Yes, there is a huge difference in the amount of education and what is taught. But why would anyone want to lie or be deceitful about what they are? I don't believe "nurse" is a generic term, like "xerox" is now for a copy machine. Nurses are nurses, assistants are assistants, doctors are doctors. If you want to become a nurse, do so. Otherwise, call yourself what you are, no matter what setting you are in.