Know it all classmates

JennyRN09 · Sep 9, 2006

I was a CNA several years ago and though some of the things are familiar, believe me, I was still asking the nurse instructors for advice and help. There are a few current CNA's in my class. But, remember this, there will come a point, and I feel very soon in the semester when everyone will be at the same learning level. So, don't worry about it. You are NOT inadequate! Just because a CNA happens to know a little more than you right now doesn't mean your less of a student, not at all! Just stick with it and it will become second nature! Good luck!

RN/MSN/JD · Sep 9, 2006

Ok Im in my first semester and Im already urked by people. Its mainly people who are currently CNA's making me feel inadequate. When we go to learn a new skill they are used to doing it already on a daily basis and Im learning it for the first time, so it makes me feel should I say "dumb" when these other people can do it flawlessly and Im still going huh? It comes up because usually when we have a skills test its in pairs so they go then you go.
Im not dumb by any means and I hate feeling that way.
Do I just need to step it up a knotch to be good at the stuff by the time we get to doing it, or just get over it and learn along with everyone else?
Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this, Im sure most RN classes have alot of CNA's.
Im normally pretty soft spoken and introverted so Im thinking its just my own complex. But I hate feeling inadequate. Im hoping nursing makes me tough.

Rest assured that what the CNA's know is only the very basic level of skills. Once you get more into areas that require critical thinking, they will be no better than you. Some may even be a lot worse because they will have entered the program thinking they know everything.

Also, you need to be wary of what they have to 'teach' you. Nursing school is teaching you the IDEAL way of doing things. People in the REAL world are often using techniques which are not theoretically sound.

StudentNurseAbby · Sep 9, 2006

firstaiddave907 · Sep 10, 2006

hello, i am also in my 1st semester adn, i was never a cna but i was a medical asst for 7 years. i am very familiar with many of the skills that we are learning about. i try very hard not to come across as know it all, but i do try to help my classmates as much as possible with things that can sometimes be tricky...like blood pressures, injections, but in a helpful way. like saying, "this really works for me if i do it this way..." just remember, everyone was once in your shoes and didnt know what the heck they were doing!! no one thinks you are dumb and if they do, then you should stay away from them any way, they are going to make your experience a negative thing, and we dont need any extra stress!! just take it one day at a time and you'll do great, but remember to ask for help and make sure you are learning the right way. many people out in the field develop bad habits that they are going to have to re-learn!! (believe me, i know!) i am also available to talk or write you thru anything you need help on! just make sure you get the most learning out of this experience that you can! this is the only first semester we will have so we should make it what we want it to be...which is great! m

thats a very good point you made.

TheCoppertop · Sep 13, 2006

We have a total know it all in our class, she is constantly "adding on" to what the instructor teaches us.. her experience? No she's never worked with patients, her MOM is a nurse, this is what she keeps telling us. My mom is a nurse practitioner but does anyone there know that? No, because I lay low and keep my mouth shut lol. The instructor already gets a pained look on her face every time our know-it-all starts saying "just to add on to that..." heh. Today we were learning to take blood pressure our know it all skipped out early without trying it because she already knows how to do it, just watch for the needle to jump. Our instructor told us (after she left) that she will be watching and listening in to make sure we don't go by the needle jumping as it is not always accurate.

We also have 3 CNAs in our class and they have been nothing but helpful and kind whether we're in lab or clinical.

supermo · Sep 13, 2006

As a CNA I try really hard not to come off as a know-it-all. I do volunteer to make a fool out of myself as the guinea pig in class, A LOT. I do throw suggestions in just to help out my group members when we do labs. I hope I don't seem like I know it all because I know I don't. I look like a big ol' dummy as much as everybody else, well except for the CMA that knows everything and (I quote) "was basically the nurse (insert little hand motion quotes) for a family practice doctor for 6 years." :rolleyes:

In my class we have 2 students who feel like they have to contribute to

e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e conversation or lecture. They failed fundamentals last semester. I don't think that they are the most accurate source of information.............

As everyone has said, we'll all be on equal footing very soon. Good luck to us all!

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Sep 13, 2006

I think its just more of a respect thing.....

Yeah, but if they were telling everyone the wrong thing, then the students would have went home and studied it wrong though.

You can always correct someone respectfully. I would have just asked about it and I'm sure the instructor would have caught her mistake.

Pbelle · Sep 13, 2006

I worked as an LPN in a GI practice with an MA who had, as she told me repeatedly "10 years of experience". Yeah, 10 years of being a know-it-all; she's in RN school now, and it took everything I had to bite my tongue instead of saying to her the umpteenth time she mentioned her experience "yeah, and now you'll be at the beginning like everybody else". Figured I'd take the high road.

Avoid these people at all costs - stick with the CNAs/MAs that help you out. There is a wonderful gal in my 4th semester clinical group that is an MA, and I think the world of her - very helpful and positive. As a previous poster stated, eventually everyone will work up to their level of incompetence (the Peter Principal). Good luck!

pissa · Sep 14, 2006

May I ask a question? The age of yours in the forums is your really age?

Students in our country are not so old as you are, or you have work for a period of time and then go to nursing school?

CuriousMe · Sep 14, 2006

May I ask a question? The age of yours in the forums is your really age?
Students in our country are not so old as you are, or you have work for a period of time and then go to nursing school?

I'm not the one you asked....but I'm pretty old as well :) In the US you can go to school at anytime in your life, of course we need to pay for it (or find some sort of financial aid).

I did go to college for a few semesters right after high school, but I had no idea what I wanted to accomplish there....so in the end, I accomplished very little. I've had a career as a technology professional but now want to get into nursing, so I'm going back to school. It's not uncommon here in the states at all.

Hope that's the information you're looking for.

Peace,

Cathie

pissa · Sep 14, 2006

some is usefull for me,thank you .

81ke83 · Sep 14, 2006

Nursing is one profession that accepts people of all ages. Prior to attending nursing school and currently I work for a Hotel, I do all of the bookkeeping and am the assistant manager. In my nursing class of sixty there is probably 10 people that are between 40-55. 20 people between 25-40. The rest are under 25. There are probably 5 men in that 60. Usually there are more. I find that older students spend more time on there studies. That isn't always true. One of the things that comes with age is more real life situations. My decision to go into nursing is that as an older person there are jobs readily available in any type of nursing. I can get a job anywhere I live. Hope that helps........

Kay