So I just got off the phone with my best friend, who is a RN in another state. She said that a CNA on the floor tells the patients she's a nurse. My friend said today was the last straw when she overheard the patient who sounded upset ask to speak to a nurse and the CNA said, "I am a nurse." I dont know the full details because I wasnt there, and Im trying to get her to join allnurses.com (maybe one day). Apparently, when she approached the CNA about this, she got defensive and my best friend was just trying to tell her that it would be more appropriate to tell the patients she is an aid and not a nurse, which offended the CNA because she said that she is a nurse (or they all are nurses - something like that). Anyhow, I just wanted to know you guys perspective on this, I know a couple CNAs who call themselves nurses (I mean I have a cousin who has nurse as her job on fb and she is a CNA), but this is different because its occurring in the field, not just in random conversation or on social sites. Is this a big deal? I personally think my best friend handled it the best she could (even though she said the CNA didnt seem to change her mind on the issue). I dont know if there is anymore she can do, should she just let this one ride?
I agree with annaedrn. I am currently getting my CNA but...the ones that have RN behind there name WORKED for it. It's not fair to them. Plus, what if the person she was talking to asked about a specific med. or something that only nurses could answers not cna's then what would she say? Make something up?
I think assistants are nurses. They preform nursing duties, albeit through delegation authority. When a patient requests a "nurse," the cna deserves at least the respect of being told what is needed. I trust that she knows her role and will get me if needed. I find it frustrating when a patient "Wants to see the nurse", so I stop doing something only an RN can do, go the the patient and find she needs a glass of water. Getting a glass of water is a nursing duty and important, so I get the water.
I would report an aide and refuse to continue working with her, for patient safety reasons, if she called herself an LPN or RN. But she is a nurse.
Sure as long as it OK for a PA to call themselves a physician, or the vice-president to call themselves the president, or an EMT to call themselves a paramedic. Free upgrades for everyone!
Woodenpug, I see what you are saying, and while we CNAs perform some duties that an LPN or RN also performs, it is wrong to allow a pt. to think we are holding that same license. I often will answer a call light to hear "Can I see the nurse who gives the meds.?" . I always respond to this by saying "Oh, you want to see *****, the RN on duty?". It is simply a lack of understanding on the part of the pt. of family member.
Someone earlier said that they felt that the wearing of scrubs was a big factor. I don't think so. When I was a NA 26 years ago, and in nursing school, we all wore white. We had white stockings, shoes, everything, and they better be pressed and neat at all times. Today the accepted uniform is scrubs. We are part of the nursing dept. and the administration in most facilities wants us identified as such by uniform. We are expected as individuals to know our licensure limitations and act accordingly.
I think assistants are nurses. They preform nursing duties, albeit through delegation authority. When a patient requests a "nurse," the cna deserves at least the respect of being told what is needed. I trust that she knows her role and will get me if needed. I find it frustrating when a patient "Wants to see the nurse", so I stop doing something only an RN can do, go the the patient and find she needs a glass of water. Getting a glass of water is a nursing duty and important, so I get the water.
I would report an aide and refuse to continue working with her, for patient safety reasons, if she called herself an LPN or RN. But she is a nurse.
Wow, really?
CNA's are NOT nurses. MA's are NOT nurses.
If you are a nurse and hold this opinion, then I'm starting to understand why this trend of assistants calling themselves nurses may be gaining ground.
The term nurse (standing by itself) means "a person trained to care for sick or injured people" and is not protected by law. The terms Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse are specific to those who have taken state administered tests and are licensed by the state to use these titles. To present oneself as an RN or LPN when one is not licensed to do so is a criminal offense.
That being said, to avoid confusion CNA's should refer to themselves as that. To avoid calling the RN or LPN away unnecessarily they should ask what the patient needs and do it if they can.
As a post script, in my state a CNA must be licensed and is on record at the Board of Nursing.
We can be sued and lose our license.
I did not say that CNA's were not registered with the BON; just that they are not registered as 'nurses.'
My employer is currently actively working to stem the multitude of employees who continue to introduce themselves to patients as "nurses." In fact, the employer is actually referencing the legal aspect of assuming the identity of a licensed professional (i.e., open to criminal prosecution).
learning&yearning
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I have a friend who is an MA and calls herself a nurse. Makes no sense to me...