Yesterday, I had an inservice at work (LTC) and I sat next to a new LPN. (I'm a CNA.) During one of the breaks, we struck up a conversation, and I asked her where she had done her LPN. I also mentioned to her that I was currently in the lottery at the two local technical schools in our area to get into their LPN programs for the 08-09 school year, that I was considering taking a look at the private (and very $$$$) LPN school she went to, AND that I had an application in at the RN-ADN program at our local community college, which is very competitive selective admissions.
She asked me why I decided to become a CNA before LPN/RN, and I said, "Because I wanted an inexpensive, quick way to get basic training so I could get out in the healthcare setting, and see whether nursing was a good fit for me." (I'm a career changer.) and, that I wanted to learn the basic ADL stuff, and get that over with, so that I woudl feel that I had that part of it under my belt before I started NS.
Her response: "I didn't. I don't really see how CNA is relevant to being a nurse. I mean, you have to do all those things when you are in nursing school, (referring to ADLs) but you stop doing them as soon as you become a nurse."
I have noticed this type of attitude a lot since I started down this journey to go from corporate cube jockey to nurse. I've noticed it ith my LPN coworkers, and I have also noticed it a lot here on the boards. Is this a relatievly new phenomenon? Where are these new nurses picking this up? In school? Media portrayal of the nursing profession? What gives?
This is a great discussion and I agree with the fact that nursing is nursing. Yes, there are levels and education and all of that but the primary end goal is just that - nursing. Caring for patients. I have applied to college for an ADN and I'm taking my CNA course/test this fall - it is a prerequisite for my college choice.
most of the best nursing schools require that you be a cna before you can get into your program.............I have seen lpn get 'knocked' down to cna duties more than once. I have worked with a nurse or two like that and quite honestly .................they aren't something I aspire too.
I was required to take the cna course prior to being accepted into the rn program. However, i have never worked a day in my life as a cna.
I have been a CNA for 6 months now, and am working on my prereqs for nursing school. I would recommend for ANYONE to become a CNA first. Not that you can't be a great nurse without it, but I just know from personal experience what it has given me. When you are the person who is with the residents most of the time and doing the hands on care, you get a feel for their condition, changes in their physical or mental state, etc. I am learning how to read very subtle cues from a patient, and I am sure that those skills will be very handy one day when I am a nurse and perhaps don't have as much time to spend with patients one on one. My CNA experience has been and continues to be invaluable to my growth as a future nurse. And I hope and pray that as a result of having worked "in the trenches" I will always treat the CNAs I work with with the amount of respect and teamwork that they deserve.
Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.
CNA experience is more than "dirty work". You are gaining experience in patient interaction in a healthcare setting. The skills you are doing are the basic skills.
Some settings do not use CNA's; it is the RN's who perform all the care.
My brother was once a CNA and said it was very helpful when he started med school clinicals. He had gained specific people skills that many of his classmates lacked.
...and this is EXACTLY why I'm getting my CNA certification.
Plus, I didn't want to take a year off from my BSN to do my LPN. It's been a while since I've worked in the hospital setting and this is a great way to get 're-acclimated' to the environment.
The way I think about: LPN's do the same as CNA's...and more. RN's do the same as LPN's...and more.
It's experience, either way. Even if it is the basics...it's stuff that I need to know. After all, I'm going to be able to observe and indirectly shadow the LPN/RN's as well.
I think the experience will make me a better RN. Get to see how things work.
More than that, I just don't want to go on that floor as an RN being totally green about things. Y'know...?
'Book knowledge' is one thing; 'Hands on' experience is another.
...and, honestly, it's the same -- no matter where you work in the hospital.
RN's do it all. Sorry, but I take pts to the br, place and empty bedpans. RN's in ICU do their own bedbaths, empty urinals and catheter bags, remove impactions. Primary care, you do it all.
In LTC now. When a new patient comes in, I always ask the CNA to come get me to help with clean, reposition and turn the first time. Many things can be assessed at that time. It is important for rehab to know if they are continent, assist of one or two to ambulate, transfer abilities, ect.
most of the best nursing schools require that you be a cna before you can get into your program.............I have seen lpn get 'knocked' down to cna duties more than once. I have worked with a nurse or two like that and quite honestly .................they aren't something I aspire too.
Several years ago, I worked as a CNA at a LTC facility. There was one girl I worked with regularly. We wiped butts, made beds, gave baths, dressed people, fed people, etc. I worked with her for almost a year before discovering she was an LPN. All that time, I thought she was a CNA. She was most definitely doing CNA duties.
I was required to take the cna course prior to being accepted into the rn program. However, i have never worked a day in my life as a cna.
At my school, beginning Fall 2011, all nursing students will be required to be CNA's first. Eventually, they are planning to make it mandatory that each nursing student have so much experience working as a CNA.
This Fall, it wasn't required that we be CNA's but very few non-CNA's were accepted into the program.
I'm not sure how helpful the new regulation will be but I am kinda hoping that will reduce the time spent in the first semester learning about basic "CNA-type" skills. Probably won't happen though...
CNA? LPN? RN? CCRN? seems to me we're all in the same buisness here, stuck in the same place for the entire shift, might as well all get along and have some fun along the way. a golden rule and good work ethic i hold close to my heart......i don't sit down, till everyone sits down. i couldn't possibly think of telling someone to do something i was unwilling to do myself or do while i was going to just sit down. that's insane, rude and supports a hierarchy that has no place in a hospital setting. i've seen the "new" nurses coming out of school these days and there are few that impress me. there is no job too big or too small for a license to carry out. that's how my weekend works and even if it's crazy busy, we still have fun, we ALL get through the day and we're all great friends to boot! :icon_hug:
In ltc I always wondered what would happen if a resident fell while the rn was taking them to the bathroom as opposed to them falling while the can took them to the bathroom.
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pianistaqua
6 Posts
This is a great discussion and I agree with the fact that nursing is nursing. Yes, there are levels and education and all of that but the primary end goal is just that - nursing. Caring for patients. I have applied to college for an ADN and I'm taking my CNA course/test this fall - it is a prerequisite for my college choice.