Gen. Question

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am new and have a question. I am in Nurse Aide school right now. Why is it that most people think CNA's are "useless". I have talked to people and when I tell them what I want to do (which is ....finish up my NA course..go and get cert..so I can be a CNA...then wait about a year or 2 and go for LPN). I get the same question over and over again. Which is mostly "do you like cleaning up old people". I think that is so rude. Anyway...I was just wondering why are so many people so - about what I want to do. So I am not an LPN, or RN at this time...I rather start at the bottom and know how far I have come and cherish that.

ava'smomRN

703 Posts

Specializes in PACU.

I know the feeling, while going to cna school and working as a cna i hear it all the time. i learned to just let their comments go in one ear and put the other. i dont understand why someone would care whAT i wanted to do with my life.i dont think there is anything wrong with your plans.good luck and just ignore those people.

renerian, BSN, RN

5,693 Posts

Specializes in MS Home Health.

I have not run into people saying that.

renerian

mystc42

58 Posts

I'm a CNA right now too. I have been working on my RN and have decided for health and financial reasons to go ahead with my LPN first. There are people out there who look down on CNA's but most of them are looking down on any nurse who is not in a high authority position. I have worked with some wonderful nurses that treat me so well with respect, but I have worked with others that have usually never been a CNA before and think we are just there for their personal use. Your job is so important and for those of us that can't make it straight through this is a wonderful way to go and will make you a better nurse for going in every direction. And that isn't to say every nurse that has not been a CNA first is a bad nurse, because there are wonderful nurses out there that just have the overwhelming care and compassion for the job. But it will help you with your knowledge and skills as you further your education. Good luck in school.....

____________

Let us not pray for our mountains to be moved, but yet for the courage to climb them!@!

MishlB

406 Posts

Wow...never heard that one. I, for one, do not think CNA's are useless, but are a valuable part of the nursing team. Next time someone asks you why you like to clean up old people, tell them because caring for another human being is the greatest privilege there is.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

that is NOT a common belief where I work. I am sorry it is where you are. It's wrong. CNA's and CST's are worth their weight in GOLD and any nurse worth his/her salt KNOWS this.

Specializes in Oncology, Cardiology, ER, L/D.
Originally posted by MishlB

Wow...never heard that one. I, for one, do not think CNA's are useless, but are a valuable part of the nursing team. Next time someone asks you why you like to clean up old people, tell them because caring for another human being is the greatest privilege there is.

That is one great answer Mish! ITA:)

Tweety, BSN, RN

34,248 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Be proud of yourself and your profession. I presume you aren't talking about health care people, but the general public you come into contact with. Don't let them drag you down. People don't understand.

I think being a CNA is a very honerable and noble profession. So important. You provide the most direct care and are the eyes and ears of so many other people.

KMSRN

139 Posts

Everybody's gotta have somebody to look down on. They are just little people trying to make themselves feel better at your expense. The CNA job is one of the hardest and a good one is a treasure.

l-chickadee

3 Posts

Thank you everyone for the wonderful words. It is soo good to know that not everyone sees CNA as "useless". I am also glad to see such warm people here...thanks

Nurse Ratched, RN

2,149 Posts

Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

I got the same thing when I started working as an aide at 16. My friends all wondered why I didn't take a "normal" afterschool job. I personally got a WHOLE lot more out of being as aide than flipping burgers. And I likely wouldn't be a nurse today if I hadn't ventured into that job.

You will find that those within the health care profession generally will have a great deal of respect and appreciation for all the work CNA's do - especially those of us who have been there :).

l-chickadee

3 Posts

That is how my teacher is as well..she started out as a CNA...then LPN..then RN..then went on to teaching. I really admire someone who understands that the only way UP..is to start at the bottom.

+ Add a Comment