CNA's ARE NOT MAIDS!!!!!!!!!

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I am a CNA in Florida. I am very tired of wasting my time applying for a job as a CNA; only to have the Mgr hype up the position and find out all the client wants is a maid! I feel that I spent over $800 on CNA training and I worked very hard at it. I feel so cheated when employers think I am nothing more than a maid. I worked one day at a lady's house and told the Mgr. that's it, I am not going back to this lady's house again. The lady was rude and she gave me one chore after another. I probably got to sit down 10 minutes in 4 hrs. I tried not to argue with her and make the company look bad. I did get a new assignment from the Mgr and have a very nice lady with "light house keeping" as is always described in all CNA job titles. How do people get away with hiring a Medical Care service and get nothing but housework out of them? What is the real truth behind this scheme?

I wasn't claiming to be "above" anything, and I took more than 80 hrs of training as well. You fit the description of having a few letters behind your name so now you think you can insult those that you deem "lower" than you! Get over yourself!

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I noted all the other employees that worked at this house and won't go there anymore; so contrary to those who feel that I am adverse to housework, I am not. I just don't like being taken advantage of. Someone else said that they too expected light house keeping. This was 4 hrs of nothing but. This lady was belligerent/rude and talks to people with disregard for their feelings. She even yelled at the bug spray man. Look, I expect work, troublesome patients etc... and I don't mind emptying the garbage either. I was just trying to express the ire of going to a house in the context of a maid rather than a health care worker. There is a difference right? At the least this lady should be paying for a maid service. Maybe I am wrong to think that CNAs should have more respect than they receive!

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I noted all the other employees that worked at this house and won't go there anymore; so contrary to those who feel that I am adverse to housework, I am not. I just don't like being taken advantage of. Someone else said that they too expected light house keeping. This was 4 hrs of nothing but. This lady was belligerent/rude and talks to people with disregard for their feelings. She even yelled at the bug spray man. Look, I expect work, troublesome patients etc... and I don't mind emptying the garbage either. I was just trying to express the ire of going to a house in the context of a maid rather than a health care worker. There is a difference right? At the least this lady should be paying for a maid service. Maybe I am wrong to think that CNAs should have more respect than they receive!

The way you phrased your original post led many to the conclusions posted. Details, though no needed to be wordy, would have been helpful when you wrote your original post. Remember, people reading posts on the internet cannot read minds and conclusions can only be drawn from information, or the lack thereof, provided. Many of the people who responded have been members here for quite some time and have seen a fair number of people who got into home health and did not realize what it entailed.

Again, food for thought: Don't assume we know what you mean without clear, succinct details.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Not really in my state CNAs are not permitted in home care. Only certified home health aides (CNA's can take a 20-30 hour course to add on a CHHA cert to their CNA certification). The individuals that qualify for HHA assistance have minimal medical needs that are handled by skilled nursing or therapist. Everything you described is a legally covered services of a CHHA under the supervision of an RN and paid for by Medicare/Medicaid

In the home environment a HHA does bathing, toileting, assist with ambulation if deemed appropriate by the PT & RN, assist with some range of motion & repositioning, ADL's which include shopping, meal preparation, assistance with feeding if for physical needs (arthritic hands but not swallowing or dysphasia as that requires nursing or SLP supervision) . House keeping of patient used areas including sweep, light vacuum, dishes, patient laundry, wipe down sinks/counters, take out trash. Help with mail, errands and even hand the patient a pill box prepared by the RN.

I think you don't understand the difference between a home health aide and a facility based CNA. That's why in my state CNAs can no longer work in home health without an additional CHHA cert.

Many seniors that were active and now home bound have essentially lost control of their lives. The attempt to regain what little control left can easily be misconstrued as demanding and ire. Look how you interpreted the posts attempting to offer clarification. What you described is the exact role of a certified home health aide supervised by an RN for a medically home bound patient.

Perhaps you might consider not doing home care and working in a facility as that is more likely what your CNA classes prepared you for. I don't think you fully comprehend the role of a CHHA (or CNA as some states permit) in home care. It's not the same as a facility where you are working directly with skilled nursing instead of in a home under the remote direction of a skilled RN

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Specializes in ER.
I wasn't claiming to be "above" anything, and I took more than 80 hrs of training as well. You fit the description of having a few letters behind your name so now you think you can insult those that you deem "lower" than you! Get over yourself!

This is not a mature response. I think you need to cool your jets and take a deep breath.

By the way, 80 hrs of training adds up to 2 full work weeks. You have accomplished something, yes, but that is not a lot of education.

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I guess this is what I get. I joined this forum to learn new things, asks questions, and seek advice from those in the know. Well, I got the "in the know" part right. I am left only to question the reality of the advice I got. I was merely trying to find out how people can get away with using CNA's as house maids. What I found out is there is very little respect for CNA's on here. As I posted I never belittled anyone. It's some comments that caused me to do so. I got some great advice from the nurses at work.

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It's to my understanding that you are suppose to do light housekeeping( the word light varies among people). I know some health aids who provide full service home cleaning in addition to their services but they usually get paid more. Before beginning a job, job expectations and duties are to clearly outlined before you start the job.

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I guess this is what I get. I joined this forum to learn new things, asks questions, and seek advice from those in the know. Well, I got the "in the know" part right. I am left only to question the reality of the advice I got. I was merely trying to find out how people can get away with using CNA's as house maids. What I found out is there is very little respect for CNA's on here. As I posted I never belittled anyone. It's some comments that caused me to do so. I got some great advice from the nurses at work.

On the contrary, this is a wonderful place of support. Coming at someone with an ad homenim attack which had nothing to do with your original post showed a lack of professionalism and a degree of immaturity in your writing.

When posting your frustrations, it is best to label them as a " vent" or "rant" to give the readers clues to what you are going to discuss. Not everyone is going to agree with your opinion. Part of being a professional is accepting that reality. Attacking another's character without solid evidence and from a place of emotion is not professional.

Again, I will point out that you left considerable information out of your original post; not including all pertinent information will not lead readers to come to the same conclusion as you. This is regardless of business sector. It is the basic of human communication.

And finally, be careful of making assumptions: They make an @$$ out of you and me.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@tuska61 - sorry that you got off to a rough start at AN. As others have stated, the details that you later provided help our members to address your concerns.

The blanket statement about members of AN is neither correct nor necessary.

We wish you well. Topic closed

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