For those of you that are a nurse and those of you who call yourself a nurse!!

Chellyse · May 21, 2001

I worked all weekend so have not been here. Saw the couple posts about CNA's calling themselves "Nurses" and could not refuse.

Number one the ASS wiper references have to go, you degrade yourselves with that coined term, not to mention it is played out...

These arguments are so redundant,every state has practice acts and rules to follow. It may intereset you to note that in several states laws have been passed that strictly FORBID (you will be prosecuted) using the title LPN or RN without the licensure! The go into detail about what the term Nurse means and it is not to be used loosely.I will find those recently enacted laws and post them here. So use your title Certified Nursing Assistant because that is what you are legally entitled to. I am a ADN but started my career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (I still carry the card in my wallet) We were required to take 240 semester hours at COLLEGE in the state of Florida to become Certified as a Nursing Assistant at that time, requirements have changed. I was proud of my title and my scope of practice then and now. But they are NOT the same. Don't attempt to compare,there are commonalities in the care and they build upon each other, but it is an earned title to be called a Nurse.

Yes, in fact in the state of Florida in a non skilled facility or an Assisted Living facility , CNA's and Patient Care Associates (not even certified) can and do give medications including narcotics.They are only required to take a ONE day medication course!!! I do not agree with this practice but it is allowed in this state because Assisted living and Home Health are regulated differently, thus billed differently. It is looked upon as if the patient is taking his/her own med and the CNA is only dispensing the medication. There are strict rules that are attached in that they are supposedly only allowed to hand the med to the patient thus not held responsible for any adverse reactions ect. They are responsible for dispensing the correct med to the correct patient but not held liable for anything else. So the responsibility is Different!!As I said I think this is dangerous practice simply because assisted living facilitites are accepting and keeping increasingly complex patients and CNA"S even with amed training class are not aware of the complications,interactions, and reactions associated with dispensing meds. There is a strict legal difference between dispense and administer in the state of Florida.

HealthCare is ever changing and SKILLLS (learned skills by any and all healthcare workers) change with technology and insurance. Nurses and Cna's should be participating in on the job training and continuing education all the time. This does not change the titles or requirements.

For those that are CNA's now respect yourself and give respect and 90% of the time you will get it back. There are many hospitals that employ few CNA's because the nurses are participating in primary care, taking all the responsibilities for that patient themselves.Including daily care, baths, incontinence care , bedmaking, medications ,treatments,documentation everything, no other assistance. This happens in both acute care and med surg here in Florida. Frankly I prefer this type of nursing because the patient load is less and you get to know your patient better.

This is long but I respect all my colleagues if I am respected in return. I do not appreciate an unlicensed person implying licensure by calling themselves a nurse. Like where you are...further your career if you choose...and quit using the term ass wiper Please!!!!!

:) :)

StaceRacer1 · May 21, 2001

100% aggree with you CHELSE66!!!!

Thanks for responding!!

For my own fulfillment, I think I am going to go all around Pittsburgh and ask the Question--

"What word or picture comes to mind when you here the word NURSE?"

After doing this I am going to write a journal article about what my results were and what WE as nurses believe the word "nurse" means!!!!

Hey, maybe I will get credit for one of my RN-BSN courses for doing it.

lpnandloveit1 · May 22, 2001

just a short comment on this subject. Back in the dark ages I was so excited when I was accepted into nursing school all of my friends were happy they all said that they were so proud that I was going to school to become a nurse. Oh by the way we were all N.A.'s. I wasn't a nurse and didn't call myself nurse until I knew that I had passed boards. To become a nurse is the reason I went to school,studied hard and sat for boards.

Sue D · May 22, 2001

I assume that CNA is equivalent to Health Care Assistant. There has recently been quite a row in the UK about our largest healthcare union (UNISON) issuing HCA's with badges that read "NURSE" in large type.

In addition to this HCA's have also recently been admitted into the Royal College of Nursing (only if they have reached a certain educational standard).

Most HCA's I know do not describe themselves as nurses, although there is always the odd exception but there is no arguing with the fact that the work they do (in the UK anyway) IS basic nursing care. They may not have the accountability of the trained nurse but their work is just as valuable and in my experience HCA's often form better relationships with patients than the trained staff nurses simply because they are able to spend more time with them.

jamistlc · May 22, 2001

Originally posted by lpnandloveit1:
just a short comment on this subject. Back in the dark ages I was so excited when I was accepted into nursing school all of my friends were happy they all said that they were so proud that I was going to school to become a nurse. Oh by the way we were all N.A.'s. I wasn't a nurse and didn't call myself nurse until I knew that I had passed boards. To become a nurse is the reason I went to school,studied hard and sat for boards.

Greetings All Nurses,

I just read this new thread on an old subject. I have voiced my opinion and facts elsewhere so that is not my point here. I will say CNA and all the other titles that are not Nurses do preform many Nursing duties under the delegation and licensure of a LPN or RN! That said I will say what I have about the quoted post!

Back many moons ago when I became a nursing student I could not believe I was a student nurse, with the title SPN! It took a few months to get use to that feeling of actually making it to my dreams! Then When I graduated, WOW It was the most proud moment of my life right up there with having been in my sons birthing room! It felt ackward like a part of my life was over and a new one began! I was both cared and grateful to those who taught me my art! I have always been book smart, but I had never applied it to something which could do so much good or harm! I could use my temp. permit after my signature, It began to sink in I had made a major move in my life! :cool:

After I sat for my boards and walked away I dreaded getting the results yet at the same time I felt an intense need to hurry up and get the results! Then when I got them I was settled with my new role and title. It was one of my personal best days of my life! After 11 years I am very defensive of my title and the fact I am a Nurse, I earned the right and have been acknowledged as a Nurse by my state of residnce! :rolleyes:

I have said what I needd to those who are not nurses, all but if you have the need or want the title go get your License , this is after the school, clinicals, and lots of gut reching tests! And oh yea the BOARDS!

Peace,

Jami :)

chili2641 · May 22, 2001

I am a cna and will be a law student. I for one could care less about becoming a nurse. However I work in the nursing field and I consider myself part of the nursing team. Yes, there are differences between nurses and aids but we are all taking care of the sick. We all wade through bodily fluids and are subject to abuse from combative patients. All of us are responsible for patient care and the patients safety. Nurse aids have a huge responsibility and their job is very important. Does that make me a nurse no. But frankly I am over it.

hvlscwlltrvl · Mar 3, 2002

I believe that hospitals have started putting "Nurse" on the badges of CNA's based on studies that showed that patients can't tell and/or don't care if you are a RN, LPN or CNA. They just want their needs taken care of. To the patient, they are all nurses! I do not think anything derogatorily was meant by facilities toward RN's. But to the patient, it is a lot easier to determine who they can ask for their nursing care. Let's face it, you wouldn't ask the X-ray Tech for your pills, or Lab Tech for information on your medication interactions. I think it was meant for Patient Convenience. I am not threatened by it because like Sue D in the UK, I think they are providing basic, and necessary nursing care. Sure saves me time to get more important things done!

pebbles, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2002

And don't we all wish the patients, families and public CARED that some of us are Nurses, and some are qualified assistants. But they don't, do they.

It takes me less time to ensure that the UAP has done a task than to do it myself, so being "responsible" and working alongside UAP is not a huge deal. I didn't get into nursing to get my ego stroked, and I am proud of what I do "in spite of" almost everyone else in my life. There was never any Glory in this profession, right from the very beginning. My satisfaction comes from a job well done, and seeing the results of what I have done in terms of patient and family progress, etc. They are thankful for my care just as they are the care from the UAP. It's all good.

I don't need recognition from management or government or anybody - I just need them to assist in providing better working conditions, etc so I can DO my job - I don't care if they understand my job. Because thats an uphill battle all the way.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Mar 3, 2002

In NORTH CAROLINA (the state with the FIRST BOARD OF NURSING) it is AGAINST THE LAW for anyone that is NOT a REGISTERED NURSE (or LPN) to call themselves a "NURSE," or to wear a badge/emblem stating so.

askater11 · Mar 3, 2002

Staceracer1~~

When I first read your post....the first 1/2-1/3 I thought what a great post....this poster gets through what nurses go through in a day or in your case 20 hours.

Have you ever E-mailed or wrote to a state legislator? I have but I find you explain things much better.

Regarding the nurses calling themselves CNA...I'm a little lost...I guess I better read on.

135ctv · Mar 3, 2002

Prior to taking the CNA course, I also refered to everyone who was not a doctor as "nurse". I didn't know that there was a difference and, frankly, as a patient, I didn't care.

I understand the difference now, and I do explain to anyone calling me "nurse" that I am a nurse's assistant and not a nurse. I do refer any questions or requests outside of my scope as a CNA to the patient's nurse.

I do not want to be a nurse and have no interest in pursuing nurse's training. I am more interested in helping people with activities of daily living. I think that what I do is important. I did not go into this because I wanted to impress people with my job title. As long as I feel that my work is important, that I'm making a contribution and helping to improve someone's quality of life, that's enough for me.