CNA transitioning to RN

SleeepyRN · Feb 5, 2014

Yikes. Same department. You will have to come up with a way where your previous fellow CNAs respect that you are now the nurse. Don't be afraid to be their boss. It will now be YOUR license if you don't feel comfortable reprimanding when necessary, delegating or giving them advice. And remember remember remember to delegate. We former CNAs can struggle with that sometimes especially when we are new.

einnil · Feb 5, 2014

Yes sleepy RN. Recently I was working and a new grad RN told another CNA to "please ambulate Mr. X when you have time". As he pass by the CNA looked at me and said, " don't be lazy like them when you become a nurse because you guys can ambulate too" to which I agree but she don't understand that nurses have other bigger responsibilities and also busy trying to get caught up. So are you saying to better apply in other areas aside from my floor? Thank you so much!

SleeepyRN · Feb 6, 2014

So are you saying to better apply in other areas aside from my floor? Thank you so much!

No, not at all. I'm just saying to be prepared for the possibilities of some CNAs you used to get along with suddenly have a "who does she think she is" mentality. Plus, wherever you go, you will always find CNAs who think "the nurse has the ability to do it" without understanding how overwhelmed and busy we already are. I wouldn't try to talk you out of working on a unit that you want to work on.

einnil · Feb 6, 2014

I understand and truly appreciate your advice :nurse:

SleeepyRN · Feb 7, 2014

I understand and truly appreciate your advice

No problem, and congratulations!

SuperRN_1 · Feb 7, 2014

I'm glad you asked this question and got great comments. I too will be a nurse in 10 months and wanted to stay in my department but I feared not being taken serious or getting the respect from the CNAs I work with right now. I had to make the decision that I will not be staying in this dept. I know I could do it but I don't want the added stress because it's already going to be stressful being a new nurse.

einnil · Feb 9, 2014

Patience_1: I see this behavior from CNA's everytime there's a new grad and I can picture myself in that situation in the next few months. I would always explain that nurses have their responsibility to take care first and if they have time that I'm pretty sure that they'll do the job themselves. Afterall they're our patients and we only want to provide the necessary steps to aide in their healing process towards recovery.