CNA to RN at work

p_hawk · Mar 26, 2009

there have been nursing schools around since the 1920's at least (i wouldn't be suprised if even further back than that, really).. so i don't know where the idea of there not being nursing schools comes from, really. neither do i understand the idea of an RN not being a "skilled trade"...

regardless... there're always going to be those people out there that think they are better people because of their position. my advice? ignore them. easier said than done, i know.. but really, why let people like this ruin your day(s) or your opinion on the profession you have chosen? try and learn as much as you can from the situation you're in, even if it's only that you WILL NOT act like ms. so-and-so when you finally pass that nclex.

it sucks being bottom of the totem pole.. remember that when you're not on the bottom anymore

AntFlip7395 · Mar 26, 2009

I am unfortunately a CNA that had some unfortunate events happen while trying to start/ persue Nursing school. My Mom and Dad passed away and now 5 years later I am thinking about jumping back on the horse. I have my CMT classes all ready have paid the $$ and will work as a CNA until my med classes are done in August. I should be ready to start Nursing school in the fall. I have several issues. I HATE BEING a CNA. I love the patients and I love the idea of being a RN eventually, I just have no patience for "nursitis"
Some of these nurses make it like they are brain surgeons. ( my brother is a MD) and they have no right judging CNAs the way they do. I graduated at the top of my high school class and am no idiot. I just had to get my brother through Med school and hes in Chicago now. He is helping me pay for Nursing school but he told me that back in the day, RNs were not a skilled trade. The Docs taught the nurses (then aides) what they wanted to be done and there was no school involved, just working under the discretion of a Physician. So- my question is, #1) What makes RNs think they can treat the CNAs like they are all insolent? #2) What would it take to have a government program of some kind allow you to work at your RN license at the workplace?
Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

My first suggestion is to tone down the attitude a bit. Not all RNs treat CNAs badly. I'm sorry if you've had bad experiences, but you can't come here and make generalizations. Secondly, why do you hate being a CNA? If you dislike this line of work so much, what makes you think you'll like being an RN? If you work in an ICU setting, you'll be the CNA and the RN, because many ICUs don't have CNAs. The worst nurse is one who thinks he/she is too good or too educated to wipe a butt or empty a urinal.

Nurses, whether RN or LPN function under their own licenses. RNs may start out at an educational level as high as a master's degree. Further, every state requires nurses to attend a nursing program at either a vocational or college level, so there is no provision to "work at your RN license in the workplace". Your brother isn't displaying much respect for the nursing profession with his statements. We aren't trained monkeys, we must critically think when we take care of our patients. Skills can be taught, but knowing the rationale behind it, the ability to know WHY we do what we do must come through experience.

BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 26, 2009

Did your brother also tell you that "back in the time" physicians were self taught and that the person who treated your fever was usually the same person that birthed your farm animals! Many, many things have changed in the last 100 years or so.

I'm very sorry that you've had bad experiences with nurses. As another poster pointed out we aren't all like that. I'm also sorry that you hate your job,.perhaps that's part of the problem with the nurses you work with. The reason a nurse can train a CNA is because nurses are all qualified to do the job of a CNA, there are many units that don't have CNA's at all. As far as on the job training to become an RN,...check back with me after you finish nursing school and you will understand how very difficult that would be. The education required to be an RN isn't just how to do tasks,.there is much theory behind our tasks and much knowledge needed in order to carry out our role safely and effectively.

PS you might want to google the word "insolent"

RN1982 · Mar 26, 2009

"sigh" I think most of your brother's views of nursing as a profession are quite misguided. And as far as I am concerned, he has no clue what it takes to be a nurse and the stuff that we are required to study. It's not like we go through school learning how to make beds and to wipe a butt, there is theory, pathophysiology, chemistry etc. No, we are not a skilled trade, we are profession, that's why we are required to do more than just work at a hospital to get our RN license. My point is, people in the medical profession have no clue what we go through in school unless they have been there themselves so when medical students start harping on that "nursing was a skilled trade and taught by docs"...I ignore them.

As for the RNs with attitudes. Look at it this way, there is one of those types of people in EVERY profession, not just nursing. Ignore them and go about your business. So treat your CNAs that you will work with in the future how you wanted to be treated when you were a CNA.

Nilansa6363 · Mar 26, 2009

Im glad to hear you love your patients, and cant wait to be a licensed nurse.

I had the same situation years ago. I started as a CNA, and had horrific nurses,sprinkled with a few good.

Now I can reflect back,and let me tell you I learned MORE from the Bad nurses, It taught me excatly how I

DIDNT want to be !!!!!!! And that when I became a nurse I would never treat my CNAs bad.

I have learned that without them I would miss so much,they are the bedside care givers, they get to spend so much more time with an individual patient than I do, I come to them for questions and listen to their concerns on their patients. I am a nurse and I also mentor of new grad nurses, and one of my first lessons to them, is how to treat the CNA with dignity and to listen, it will only make them better, and give better care for the patient.

So I have shared in your frustration, but I also know you will remember this pain,and it will make you stronger and better. Good luck with your career.

Nurse Nan

Keepstanding, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2009

if you hate being a cna, you most likely will hate being a rn. you might want to reconsider getting into nursing.

praiser :heartbeat

ps: what is "nursitis" ??

NICUQueen · Mar 26, 2009

I agree, if you hate being a CNA, you will not like being a nurse. I started out as an aide in the hospital where I worked as an RN and learned much in my position as an aide.

How are the RNs treating the CNAs like they are "insolent"? Are they delegating tasks to you that you feel are beneath you?

When/if you become an RN, you will find that you have so much paperwork and other tasks that only the RN can do, that you will have to delegate things to the CNA that she is trained to do. Be careful of wanting to do fewer tasks, you may find yourself out of a job until you can "do it all" by being an RN!

Good luck to you.

Equinox_93 · Mar 26, 2009

One can work as a CNA while going to school to be an RN- I believe that may be what she was getting at. (?)

Further, every state requires nurses to attend a nursing program at either a vocational or college level, so there is no provision to "work at your RN license in the workplace".

Mahage, LPN · Mar 26, 2009

I am unfortunately a CNA that had some unfortunate events happen while trying to start/ persue Nursing school. My Mom and Dad passed away and now 5 years later I am thinking about jumping back on the horse. I have my CMT classes all ready have paid the $$ and will work as a CNA until my med classes are done in August. I should be ready to start Nursing school in the fall. I have several issues. I HATE BEING a CNA. I love the patients and I love the idea of being a RN eventually, I just have no patience for "nursitis"
Some of these nurses make it like they are brain surgeons. ( my brother is a MD) and they have no right judging CNAs the way they do. I graduated at the top of my high school class and am no idiot. I just had to get my brother through Med school and hes in Chicago now. He is helping me pay for Nursing school but he told me that back in the day, RNs were not a skilled trade. The Docs taught the nurses (then aides) what they wanted to be done and there was no school involved, just working under the discretion of a Physician. So- my question is, #1) What makes RNs think they can treat the CNAs like they are all insolent? #2) What would it take to have a government program of some kind allow you to work at your RN license at the workplace?
Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

I am sorry you are having such a rough time working as a CNA. It sounds like you carry a lot of resentment around with you. Maybe you should look at med school if you want to be on top, and that will take a while till you don't have an attending breathing down your throat and nipping at your heels. We all have someone who is our boss or delegates to us.

Being a fairly new nurse, when you come new on a unit you are definately the low man on the totem pole and it is very easy to get everyones number. Certain nurses and certain CNA's have no respect for anyone who they feel they can one up! The best nurses and CNA's are the ones who are easiest to interact with. I work with one CNA who never ever wants to "wipe poopie." She never wants to "get the linen," she will never ever turn a patient without a specific request, she rolls her eyes when you ask her to get an extra set of vitals or get the patient up to the bathroom or stock some gloves, or remove a tray, or get the O2 canister, or ..............No matter what she rolls her eyes and takes a long audible breath! This is so unprofessional. She basically doesn't want to do anything she is hired to do. There are definately nurses who are jerks.....if they treat another nurse bad, they will treat a CNA bad, however it works both ways. I have no use for this particular CNA but I treat her professionally. I just expect her to do her job! Because I ask her to do something that I can do, doesn't mean I don't respect her, it just means that I am busy doing the things she can't do and the patient needs whatever I have asked her to do. She knew what her job description entailed when she took the job, so why be resentful?

Consider medicine but if you do become a nurse, you are in for some eye opening!

Mahage

k-t-did · Mar 26, 2009

PS you might want to google the word "insolent"

I was thinking the same thing.

I worry about your attitude. Seriously. It's the pointing the finger analogy. You are pointing one finger, and have 3 pointing back at you. Perhaps your attitude is what is causing friction between you and the RN's. Why the sense of entitlement as a CNA? CNA's are valuable members of the team, but, like it or not, you are below them on the totem pole, and for good reason.