Why be a CNA?

webblarsk · Jan 14, 2005

Just though I would share again the letter I gave to my caregivers for Christmas! Being a CNA is a wonderful self sacrificing position, and worthy of respect and much praise!
And for those that have read this...and those reading it now...YES I got flack from the Admin for this! Just this week I got called in for having "issues", and turns out that they think I am trying to be a PR for CNA's and not a RN which they hired me for! They also told me I was getting bascially too big for my britches...WHAT? For saying Thank you in a Christmas Letter!?!?!?! Oh goodness golly..if I am going to get a tongue lashing for saying a heart felt thank you to my CNA staff...all I can say is Bring it on! If thanking someone is wrong, then someone in admin needs to go! (they are mad, just like I thought, that they didn't do this first...I know that is what this is all about!)
Anyway..enjoy, and for you CNA's out there, I consider this as how I feel about all hard working CNA's out there..so it is for you too!!!!

I can't believe it! The nerve of some people! I am sure your CNA's are still tickled pink by that kind and thoughtful letter!

loriannlpn · Jan 16, 2005

I just wanted to say... that when I decided to quit a job that I had been at for 12 + years to become a CNA, with the plan of going on to nursing school.

I was treated really bad by other CNA's. I am not sure what there problem was with me. I was there for the learning experience as well. I wanted to get my feet wet. My heart broke every day for those who are living in a shell of a body and were treated so bad. I took extra steps to ensure my residents room were cleaned as well as those who could not do ADL's. Actually encourage liquids for those who were not on I&O restrictions. I encouraged the 1800 snacks per facilities requirements. Then questioned later why it took me so long to get my people into bed. I am with all of you... being a CNA is great, if you care. I just got a bad taste in my mouth with the way I was treated. I cared to much and carried it with me.... I loved those people and I still ask about all of them..... peace!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

If you think CNA's were bad..wait till your first RN job...LOL!!!! OH nelly, there should be some laws against the treatment of new nurses by other nurses in some places! They DO EAT THEIR YOUNG! (see general discussion about this issue...good stuff going on there about this today!).

Blackcat99 · Jan 18, 2005

I work with some great CNA's at my LTC facility. I was a CNA for 4 years before I became an LPN. I really enjoyed caring for my LTC residents. I miss it. Now I feel "useless" as an LPN because I feel like I'm just a "paperwork" nurse who has no time for the residents.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2005

I work with some great CNA's at my LTC facility. I was a CNA for 4 years before I became an LPN. I really enjoyed caring for my LTC residents. I miss it. Now I feel "useless" as an LPN because I feel like I'm just a "paperwork" nurse who has no time for the residents.

I work with a nurse who said that's the biggest drawback. She misses the time she spent one on one with the residents when she was a CNA. She's a hell of a nurse though.

chadash · Jan 18, 2005

lovingtheunloved

I am a CNA (10 years) and HOPE to become a LPN. I am now doing free-lance home health (just went entrepreneur this month). At the last review I received, my supervisor told me her only complaint was that I did too much for our patients and it made it difficult for the other aides. She said she could not tell me to do less for them but..She was very complimentary, said the patients loved me and then gave me an average rating. I left her office very confused!

I can tell you that CNAs have no opportunity for advancement, and the pay remains stagnant despite experience or merit. I believe this is demotivating for most CNAs. Most CNA's I have know are hardworking, but discouraged.

All that aside, I can tell you it is a wonderful and fulfilling job. I am primarily moving on to the next level because my age has made the physical rigors in LTC less doable, and frankly, I would like to know what's what! (I will be the oldest nursing student in history!)

jemommyRN · Jan 18, 2005

Being a CNA is the hardest job i have ever done in my life.

Plagueis · Jan 18, 2005

I am currently looking into becoming a CNA, and possibly a nurse a few years from now. I am worried about doing this, however, after reading about some of the experiences that many people have had with that job. I am not really familiar with what CNAs do exactly, since I know it varies from program to program. What is a typical day like? The program I want to do only requires a sixth-grade reading level, and it doesn't train for vital signs. Does this mean that my skills are not worth much? Also, I read that they are low-paid. How much do they earn, exactly? I really want to help and care for people, but after reading about some of the experiences that many have had with CNAs, I am somewhat discouraged.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2005

Well, I work in assisted living so things are a bit different. For one, CNA's do med passes...so if you don't want to be doing that, I suggest staying far away from Assisted living! LOL!!!!!

Other than that...our CNA's assist or perform Activities of Daily Living or ADL's. These would include helping residents get out of bed, dressed, showered/bathed, toothbrushing, shaving, and other personal hygeine. They also assist/perform help during meals including feeding for residents that can not feed themselves. They assist/perform all body transfers, like from wheel chair to bed, bed to commode, commode to recliner, wheelchair escorts to meals...etc. They also answer call lights for other needs the patient wishes, like a glass of water, help with their TV, needing a nurse to evaluate something...etc. CNA's in my facility are also taught to take vital signs manually. And escorts to meals or activities too!

In school you will learn all this and the use of many different types of adaptive equiptment, like how to use a hoyer lift, the proper way to use wheelchairs, canes, or walkers, use of gait belts, slide boards, and other items that will help you and the patient. THe use of adaptive equipment helps the resident be able to perform as much as they can to help, and helps you too!

Some CNA's I know can do tube feedings, work with catheters (not insert), change ostomy bags, put folks on Oxygen, and some tasks nurses do. The trick with these is they are 'delegated or assigned" to a CNA after it is taught, and the performance of said task must be watched, reviewed at regular intervals and re-signed by a nurse.

The CNA is a vital role for the patient...and a very physical job! CNA's get to really know their patients very very well in most LTC or Assisted living so the role is vital for seeing changes in residents that need medical attention, and once in a while..actually initiating cpr to save their lives (if they are full code status).

Most of my CNA's are so good they can smell a UTI in progress from 40 paces, recognize when my diabetics blood sugars are down, hear a congested set of lungs from the doorway...and really know those folks backwards and forwards! I love them!!!!!!

chadash · Jan 18, 2005

Tommybabe:

You have a variety of areas you can work in, and it is important to find your match.

Long term care facilities (skilled) are a wonderful opportunity to really get to know your patients, and also be exposed to many types of needs. I think this would be a good place to get a look at the big picture. I will warn you that the work is physically challenging. I have worked in a couple different facilities, and it is best to find a place where teamwork is the motto. Beware of "bullying" cultures!

Assisted living is less preparatory for further nursing education, partly because I disagree with the concept of CNA's passing meds. I refused to become a med tech. Nursing school is the only adequate preparation for having the skill and knowledge to pass meds!

Hospice home health is wonderful! You get to know the pt and family well and work under nursing supervision. A lot of opportunity to ask questions and learn. Less physically demanding.

This is the limit of my experience, hope it helps. Any thing worth doing is not easy! Go for it, with your eyes open!

From a CNA

Plagueis · Jan 18, 2005

Thank you all for answering my questions about CNAs. Usually when I ask people what a CNA does, all I get is "They assist nurses," which isn't really specific at all.

I don't know if the program that I want to enter requires CNAs to pass meds, but if all they require is a sixth-grade reading level, I would guess that it doesn't. I am used to working a physically demanding job, as I am a hotel housekeeper. However, I don't know how that compares to being a CNA. I am just concerned when I read on this site about how some nurses are having conflicts with CNAs, and how some CNAs say that they (the CNAs) aren't treated with respect. It seems like there's a lot of conflict between nurses and their CNAs. I just don't want that to happen when I become a CNA. The job does seem really demanding, considering that I read that it doesn't pay well. I just want to learn how to help people (a cliche, I know), and someday go for a nursing degree. (After I save some money.) I am hoping that I can make it into the program next month. We'll see. :)

chadash · Jan 18, 2005

Thank you all for answering my questions about CNAs. Usually when I ask people what a CNA does, all I get is "They assist nurses," which isn't really specific at all.
I don't know if the program that I want to enter requires CNAs to pass meds, but if all they require is a sixth-grade reading level, I would guess that it doesn't. I am used to working a physically demanding job, as I am a hotel housekeeper. However, I don't know how that compares to being a CNA. I am just concerned when I read on this site about how some nurses are having conflicts with CNAs, and how some CNAs say that they (the CNAs) aren't treated with respect. It seems like there's a lot of conflict between nurses and their CNAs. I just don't want that to happen when I become a CNA. The job does seem really demanding, considering that I read that it doesn't pay well. I just want to learn how to help people (a cliche, I know), and someday go for a nursing degree. (After I save some money.) I am hoping that I can make it into the program next month. We'll see. :)

I am almost certain that the CNA program will not include passing meds. In my state the med tech must take an additional test.

Your typical day in skilled nursing homes would include dressing, feeding, changing (depends)every two hours, turning bed patients every two hours,

make sure pt have adequate fluid intake as ordered, changing linens, assisting other aides with tranfers, walking with patients or doing ROM excercises, assisting recreational directors with activities, serving and cleaning up after meals....and most important, loving the folks and getting to know them, always showing respect. AS for those who look down at CNAs. always remember that there attitude reveals their character. Most of all, I believe all levels of nursing are a composite of skills, judgement, and character. You will mature in all areas as you experience the challenges of the job.