I promise to never forget.....

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I am a new LPN, and am very excited to be one. BUT before I became an LPN, I spent 5 long years being a nursing assistant. Nursing assistants have a tough job, and they don't get paid nearly enough. They are hands on with the residents every single minute of everyday. They spend more time with the residents than nurses do, they see the residents at their worst and at their best, they can tell when something is not right, they know what is the norm for a resident, they get their "hands dirty" every single day, and sometimes they even get beat up. It's busy, and stressful. What they would give to just have 2 extra hands.

Thats why I will never forget what it was like to be a nursing assistant. Thats why I will never turn my nursing assistants down when they need help...within reason. they have a job to do, as well as I do...but if I have some time, I will never turn an aide away if they ask. If everything seems to be going smooth for me, I wont hesitate to put someone on a bed pan, or answer a call light. When it gets down to it, we are here for the residents..and thats the bottom line.

I just thought I'd share that with everyone, because so far I've had several nursing assistants ask me..."are you going to be a nurse that helps out when she has time?" My answer is always "of course"

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I agree, although I have never worked as CNA. I hope you will remember this when you work so you can be a good example to other nurses. At my facility (hospital) we hold workshops for CNA's 1-2 x year. They get a small gift, like a t-shirt, and I have various depts come in to demonstrate or talk about whatever they do that interacts with CNA or can help them in their job. We set up like a lab and do competencies plus play games that teach some concept or new policy. The CNA's generally give good feedback. I report that to my CNO who then makes an effort to effect at least a small change so that the CNA's are aware she is listening. If your facility is not doing regular training this is a suggestion. Another benefit - since all CNA's are off the floor for the lab the nurses really appreciate them upon return!

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Specializes in LTC.

I will never forget what its like to be a nursing assistant as well. I was one for 3 years before becoming a nurse. There are times now when I give my residents bed baths, back rubs, feed them, do their hair and etc. I genuinly love providing bedside care. I get so much out of cleaning a resident knowing that they are clean, dry, and smelling good. I don't get to give this care personally everyday but when I do I love it.

I will never forget where I came from. Even when I get my rn, bsn, I'm still going to be the same person andand still provide adl assistance when I can.

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Specializes in LTC.

I didn't start out as a CNA, I am starting my first LPN job in like 2-3 weeks.

In nursing school we were responsible for the tasks that the nurse as well as CNAs would do for our patient. There was still a CNA assigned to our patient and I did need their help frequently.

I want to help out the CNAs if they need help when I am working and if I have free time because not only are they very important to the patients care but I also need practice.

To be honest.. in nursing school.. I have not taken a patient to the bathroom. I have not gotten someone out of bed by myself..I have a basic idea of how to put someone on a bedpan but I've never done that. We were given total care patients and gave bed baths and showers. I wouldn't mind helping out though. Everyone deserves to be clean and comfortable.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

I was JUST venting about this the other day. I work as a nursing assistant and I'm in my first year of a 2 year nursing program. For 2 days, I had worked with nurses that were so FREAKING lazy! I'm not sure if they had been CNAs before but you can ALWAYS tell who was a nursing assistant before they were a nurse. They are so used to helping that they have no problem giving you an extra hand or two.

Now of course, nurses don't always have the time..but when they DO have the 2 seconds to come help you pull a patient up...or to turn a patient so you can clean them up..and they DON'T:mad:

I will NEVER forget being a nursing assistant, a job I love..and I will always remember to be kind and help any nursing assistant that is hardworking (I can't deal with lazy people and I have seen the other side of the coin..LA-ZY nursing assistants) whenever I can. How can I not?

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Specializes in LTC.

I was an aide for over 6 hrs before I became an lpn and yes aides have a hard job BUT they can also turn on you in a flash as I confirmed just tonight at work. We are quarantined d/ t a stomach bug and were short I was called to come in early and when I got ther an aide I work with told me about a first shift aide whom I've never actually worked with that said she didn't want me to come in early cause she doesn't " like" me and that me and the don are " buddies" which is false. I was FUMING because I've never said a harsh word to or about her and I've been friendly and nice to her every time I've seen her at meetings etc. Luckily for her the aides leave an hour before nurses so she was gone by the time I got there or we would have had a very detailed chat so that I couldve set her false notions straight. If you go from the floor to being in a position of authority you will always have aides to test and try to take advantage of you so DONT LET YOUR GUARD Down . That's the biggest mistake I've made as a nurse and it's biting me on the ass now. I can do cna work all day long but they can't do my job. I always listen when they tell me someone is different and investigate it. Yes. At thisparticular moment I am a bit offended and scorned but I've brushed it off for now. Some of the aides I work with are so conniving and 2 faced. They'll eat u up to your face and stab you repeatedly in the back when it's turned. And remember they chose their job just like all of us have. I enjoyed being an aide and I never disrespected a nurse even if I didn't like them. And I don't regret ever having been an aide, I met amazing people I'll not soon forget

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I whole heartedly agree with you guys. I've seen my fair share of LAZY cnas and nurses. I'll always help out to the extent that I can, but I wont be taken advantage of. So far I havent had that happen, but I try to give everyone a fair shot. I've never been ignorant to a nurse..and I try to avoid idle gossip. I hope that if I give respect I'll get it back in return. Though I know thats not always the case. My DON just said at our nurses meeting the other day, that the nurses are apart of the management team. I respect that and others should too.

I just know that at my old place of employment, myself and my co-workers, felt very unappreciated. We worked thirds, but the ONLY time we ever seen the DON or the administraitor was on Christmas morning, or when they mandated us to stay over...and even then we didnt get a word of thanks. I dont want the cnas Im working with to feel that way.

I just dont ever want to forget where I came from, and how hard I worked to get where I am today. Thanks for the responses:yeah:

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Sweet. I wish I worked with nurses like you!

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I worked my tail off for 15 yrs as a cna/med aide and I generally don't ask my aides to do anything for me that I can't do for myself. Typically all I ask them to do for me is vs, cs, help with call lights, and help with 2 person transfer/turns. I don't mind total bedside care and actually prefer doing it myself because I'm a little picky about some things and it just burns me when simple things are done half-•%%*#!

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Specializes in CVICU.

Glad you feel this way... I think the same thing. I was a CNA for several years prior to becoming an RN. The techs on my floor sometimes look at me like I'm crazy because I will help them do their tasks when I'm not busy. That's the way it should be!

Unfortunately, some of the nurses I work with seem to have forgotten what it's like :(

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