Doctor doesn't know what a cna is..

[mslovely]

I just started a cna class and went for a physical at this clinic close to my home, when the doctor asked me what course I was taking I said nurse assistant and he asked how long is the course I said three months he looked surprised like he didn't believe me then he asked is that like an LPN class and I said no. I felt so uncomfortable, I can't believe it, I found a doctor that doesn't know what a nurse assistant is I don't know if this is normal but it surprised me.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I'm not at all surprised. Nurses who don't normally interact with field personnel often don't realize that EMTs and Paramedics are NOT the same...

It happens in every field where someone who has specialized in something doesn't know much about other parts of the more general field.

Someone who is extremely skilled in programming may have absolutely no idea that there are multiple certifications for Cisco Systems network stuff, 5 levels and 8 career tracks... "Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert and Architect"

Within each career track, you may have further divisions... so while the programmer knows that someone can become Cisco Certified, that programmer may have no idea that someone can be a CCNP specifically in IT security.

[northernguy]

This doesnt surprise me at all. Where I work the doctors barely acknowledge aides, if they do at all. There is also little if any occasion for an aide to interact with a physician. Anything we have to report goes to the RN(OR LPN).

My last interaction with a Doctor at the LTC I work at, he pulled me into a room from the hallway while I was in the middle of something and wanted me to help transfer a new patient with dementia(who wasnt mine) so he could see how he ambulated. The patient had MRSA in his urine, and of course the doctor is there without even gloves on while examining him. I said lemme get a pad to put on his chair in case he goes, he said dont worry about that, itll only take a minute. I gowned up as required while the doctor rolled his eyes. So as soon as I stand the resident up and start transferring him, of course he starts urinating all over the place. The good doctor said ok thatll be enough, and leaves the room, leaving me to clean up the mess.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

^Geez!

We have a doctor on call at my facility who used to be a CNA.

I had no clue what a CNA was for most of my life. I was working retail and a coworker said she used to take care of old people. That sounded right up my alley so I pestered her with questions about it and she told me where to take the class.