be kind to your CNAs

psalm, RN · Sep 7, 2006

...yes, we all need to remember TEAM work. And congrats on being a graduate nurse...

...I know I can't function well without a good unit clerk and CNAs that put patient care before visiting or computer games.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Sep 7, 2006

Yep - you're right. There should not be a double standard.

nightingale, RN · Sep 7, 2006

I want to appologize ahead of time. This is mostly a vent really. I have worked with 2 different nurses (besides the regular nurses on my floor, the past 2 weeks. One was a traveler and one has recently transfered from our "sister" hospital. I work nights as a nurse tech. Now comes my vent...I want to know why SOME nurses treat their CNAs like they are not smart and are their own personal assistants. They can not answer a call light, won't help you turn your patients or change them...that is until....someone pipes up and says....so...you finally graduated huh? When are you taking your boards....once they realize you are a graduate nurse they treat you differently. Then they start helping you and talking to you like you are human and want to know why you did not tell them you graduated from nursing school. Well my question is...what difference does it make and what does it matter that I graduated from nursing school. I am still a tech in the eyes of my employer even though they pay me new grad pay to do CNA work until I pass my boards. They should be treating their CNAs with respect anyways...and what I learned in school is it is all nursing regardless of if it is passing meds or cleaning dirty behinds. Sorry this just really upsets me. Perhaps it is because I have been on both sides now and made a HUGE promise to myself that I will always respect any CNA or secretary that works with me. I will always remember what it was like. I just do not get why it should matter that I am a graduate nurse and not a CNA. I am still doing the same job.

Perceptions? I do not know. I do no know I treat all the CNA's with respect. YOU might want to directly ask the Nurse why this is. Perhaps you will be helping them with their own success to motivate the Staff. It can be a delicate discussion and, if handled gently, may be very beneficial for the Nurse and you.

I am sorry this has happened to you. I am very happy for you in passing your boards. All of this experience will help you to be a better Nurse.

Stay and touch and let us know how we can help you.

babynurselsa, RN · Sep 7, 2006

I have found some persons who believe that since they are the RN they are above answering call light, or performing some tasks. I have never understood this mentality, but I have seen it.

It IS and SHOULD be about teamwork and doing what benefits our patients.

I cringe when I see someone who will waste 20 minutes looking for the CNA or Tech to perform a task that they themselves could have been able to do themselves in 5 minutes.

Delegating is one thing, this is another.

I am sorry that you have encountered this. I see my coworkers, regardless of their title, as my peers. I NEVER ask (or tell) someone to do something that I wouldn't do myself. I MAY ask someone to do something because I am swamped and cannot perform that task that they would be able to.

Take this as a life lesson with you on how NOT to treat people.

AspiringRNin09 · Sep 10, 2006

I will never understand why some nurses think CNA's are second class citizens. At the hospital I work for I would guess that 65% of CNA's are nursing students. When I worked CC I had a nurse who walked out of a patient room, hunted me down, and asked me to give the patient a bedpan! I could understand if she did not want to empty it, but JEEZ, it was clean! I almost died.

I know what you mean when you said when they found out you were a new grad waiting to take your boards and the nurse changed her tune. I am not yet a nurse, but a EMT-P. Before I left the floor I think I received a little more respect. You will remember this though, and when you are a nurse you will be kind to CNA's!

:)

jb2u, ASN, RN · Sep 10, 2006

I think the thing to remember is that it is not so much Nurses not respecting CNA's as it is people not respecting people. Through my years, I've seen Nurses disrespect CNA's, Doctors disrespect Nurses, as well as CNAs disrespecting Nurses. I think the problem is about individuals and their perceptions.

I understand what you are talking about, but it is not exclusive to Nurses. I am sure you have seen CNAs disrespect Nurses, haven't you? And yes, when I worked as a transporter, some Nurses did treat me better when they found out that I was a Nursing student. As in...I'd say "hi" or ask for help getting a pt onto a stretcher and they would never even speak to me, but one day they would walk up to me and say, "I didn't know you were a Nursing student." However, I also had fellow transporters that repeatedly disrespected the Nurses. So, maybe some of the animosity came from this.

My suggestion is to always remember how this makes you feel and never make another person feel this way. House keepers, maintenance, CNAs, Nurses, Doctors, RT, PT, OT, etc...ALL matter and we are all on the same team with the same goal.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 10, 2006

I see my coworkers, regardless of their title, as my peers. I NEVER ask (or tell) someone to do something that I wouldn't do myself. I MAY ask someone to do something because I am swamped and cannot perform that task that they would be able to.Take this as a life lesson with you on how NOT to treat people.

Great points babynurselsa. Having a sharp CNA is like a gift from above. I can't imagine doing their job and they have my utmost respect. I think some people are disrespectful and insecure and then there are others that are just plain lazy. Its very sad because without team work not only is our job more difficult but think of the clients level of care.

Bala Shark · Sep 11, 2006

I graduated in May 2006 in the LPN program..When I was in school, CNAs usually took advantage of me, like they told me to do the bed baths while I had to give medications, chart, and other stuff..Also, they told me to be the sitter for a patient..So what I am saying that CNAs dont respect the people above them also..

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Sep 11, 2006

I think the thing to remember is that it is not so much Nurses not respecting CNA's as it is people not respecting people. Through my years, I've seen Nurses disrespect CNA's, Doctors disrespect Nurses, as well as CNAs disrespecting Nurses. I think the problem is about individuals and their perceptions.

:yeahthat:

Well said, JB!

alexlynk · Sep 12, 2006

Everyone needs to be respected and everyone needs to respent everyone else. Its a two way street, and guess what, in the middle of it all, pts are depending on the nursing team to TAKE CARE OF THEM!! Like the above responder already said, it is an innate human issue, however, if not for the sake of peace, respect, or coop, at least for the PT's sake the team must learn to respect each other.

Last note on CNAs, CNAs will always be subjected to some form of maltreatment simply because of the innate human nature and because companies value retaining a nurse more then a CNA, therefore Nurses have more freedom to pump there pulp!

The above is totally demonstrable and not just my humble private opinion!

AuntieRN · Sep 13, 2006

Yes I know that CNAs also disrespect the nurses etc. and I know it is just human nature for some people, but I just don't get it I guess.