Cnas are looked down upon

[Amiles92]

Hi there fellow readers. I have an important topic to discuss! The life of an CNA , helper , aide without the M. Whatever you'd call it.

What are we? What are they? I've had the unthinkable happen to me today on my shift and i need to vent it was very upsetting to me. I am a CNA that works with an agency that sends us to drug rehabs, to be one on one with people in the program that need more help than others.

And something bothered me today. Well there was a game on in the tv room where my patient dicided to sit along with another patient that has a one on one. Well the was two young guys maybe in early 20s that are apart of the program that came over to watch that game keep in mind this building is for the older folks. Also this room that 8 people where in only had room for 6. And with them it would be 10. So before they came me and the other aide had to pull up chairs becuase because we could not leave the patient in there without us being there. Well when these two guys came in they hopped on the floor. Happy as ever to even be watching the game.

So then the unthinkable happened. One of the residents asked me and the other aide if we mind GIVING UP OUR CHAIRS TO THE BOYS! The boys turned and said naw man we good down here. She got upset. I could see her looking and making faces from the corner of her eye. ������������ half time came up. Everyone except my patient went walking out for cigarette break and the same woman turned to me and said. "You know?, those boys should really be the ones sitting in those chairs they pay good money to be here thats unfair". So pple what I'm here asking is ?

Was I and the other aide aid in the wrong? What do pple take us for? Are we back in the SLAVERY days? I had no idea I was Rosa park back on the bus. And yes she was Caucasian , I am Greek mixed with African American and the other aide was African American. Was it about the color or jus the title? It wasn't about respectful at all. I couldn't jus stand up for a 4 hour game? Or should I have done that. Stood there on my feel like a slave just waiting? I sware im so upset I could jus quit my job tommorow. It's very heart breaking how pple treat you with the cna title. What would you do america??

I'm greatly bothered by this epidemic. Are cans jus a new form of maid service? Why should people look down upon people who are helping them or there loved ones. This honestly has to stop. If I would of been an older woman as a CNA like maybe 50 plus would I have been asked to give my seat up to those boys? Yes. Becuase im jus a CNA in her eyes.

Even after I said no I don't have an issue and asked the boys if they would like they chair they brushed me off saying naw were good! She still pushed the issue saying that was unfair?? Was it america? Was it?? What about us? So that wasnt unfair to us right? I feel that it was a racist thing for her to do. I understand respect. But I asked they said no. What did she expect me to do? Hey out of my chair n bow my head and tell them please be my guest. ? Maybe that was wat eat she wanted. That's what takes me back to saying aide without the M. Feel free to comment your true feelings readers

Thanks ������

[Gr4ceffa, CNA]

Amiles92,

Quit pulling the race card and saying you felt like you were back in your "slavery days". It really just sounds dumb. You're not always going to encounter nice patients or nice family members in the health field, it's a part of the job. Kill them with kindness.

[elkpark]

(Sorry, duplicate post.)

[elkpark]

The "boys" are clients, and you are staff. They are paying to be there, and you are being paid to assist them. I don't really have a problem with staff, regardless of their color, being asked (if it's necessary to actually ask them) to give up their seats to clients.

It's not about being "looked down on" as a CNA. I'm an RN (actually, an advanced practice nurse), and it would never occur to me to sit in a chair in a work setting while a client had to stand or sit on the floor.

(And what's with the "comment comment comment" poll???)

[Gr4ceffa, CNA]

Exactly, why wouldn't someone such as an RN or CNA give up their seat for a client? Common courtesy.

[whiteorchid81]

So this is your place of employment and the boys are the patients/clients?

If that's the case then you should have stood up and offered the seat. As a CNA, LPN, or even RN, it is their job to put the patient first. You are being paid to take care of patients not the other way around. Your priority should be the safety and comfort of the patients as long as it doesn't put you in harms way.

Why would you jump to conclusions and compare this situation to slavery or Rosa parks? You are a CNA being paid to take care of patients. It's not uncommon for an RN, LPN, or CNA to put aside their comfort for a patient.

[Paws2people]

Wow. Ok, you are working, therefore you should of stood if there were no chairs left, or gotten yourself/asked for another chair from elsewhere.

I stand, run, etc my whole shift. It's not uncommon.

Nowhere in your story do I see any racism or slavery. In fact, maybe the only place there is a tinge of it, is on your part. You divided yourself in this situation into a blacks vs whites issue. It's not :-)

[RedBC]

Without clients, we have no jobs. However, it's always the best choice to give up our seat to our clients. It's part of our hospitality.

Look down? It doesn't bother me if my charge nurse or stranger does it to me. I'm not insulted. It's humiliating when it's my own family and husband are embarrassed because I'm a CNA. They discouraged me from working on my license/certificate. In fact, they aggressively recommended that I should use my non-nursing degree to work while waiting for my acceptance from my preferred school. I insisted that I'm happy where I am right now and I get to learn basic skills for my current and future career. They're disgusted and disappointed by me. I can tell with their body language.In short, once I will become an RN, I will not want them in my graduation, continuously limit my socialization with them, and/or they will be RNs themselves to restore their relationship with me and probably will divorce my husband. I don't need people to like me because of my title. They have no idea that I'm hurt

Proud to be a CNA!

[RedBC]

I don't recall being able to sit except when I chart or take a break.

[kly1553]

I totally agree. You as the employee should have given up your seat cause they are the clients, but if they said no, then so be it. You did your part. I am a black CNA, so I don't believe it had anything to to with color, but we don't know what was going on in this ladies mind. Anyway, yes offer your seat when needed.

[lindseylpn]

I work with the ID/DD population and the issue of "staff convenience" is often stressed here. Meaning no conveniences will be made for staff over the needs of clients/residents. So, if a resident comes in, you give up your chair... At the home I work at we have 3 recliners, 3 clients and 3 staff. The clients of course get the chairs, we stand if need be. I've even worked in homes where there was no microwave to warm your food. The clients didn't eat and a microwave was not provided for "staff convenience" because, the clients didn't need one. This is the job, their needs outweigh ours.

I don't see how race or even being a CNA has anything to do with the situation. We're providing a service and the clients/residents always come first. This applies to all members of the healthcare team regardless of race or title.

[cocoa_puff]

Why is everything about race? Seriously???