doesn't like being a cna

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 28, 2006

I'd never have become an RN myself if being a CNA in a LTC facility was the only entrance into nursing. It's a horrible, dirty, backbreaking job, and if your co-worker is being good to the residents while 'tolerating' it, he's way ahead of a lot of folks! :specs:

KatieBell · Jan 28, 2006

Yes I agree. In addition, it may be that he is thinking that the CNA position is "beneath" him and complaining so he can make himself feel better. I never minded being a CNA but I found the classes to be so demeaning. I had a BA already and everyone else in the class was struggling to actually read the material (I actually came in early to help 2 of them improve their reading skills so they could read and pass the test) I felt very embarassed to be in this class. I know I should not have but I did. (Hey I was young and inexperienced in the world) It was all vindicated when I took the state CNA exam, got 100% on it and was called specially by the examiner to make sure I was considering nursing school.

Howver, I learned a lot of good skills that allowed me to really relate to all sorts of people by taking my CNA class, so even though I was a bit embarassed, it was such a valuable learning experience.

I almost quit nursing school then because I hated being a CNA on a Ortho/GI floor. A smart supervisor got me transferred to the ED where I have remained pretty much ever since.

I'm sure he can make a good nurse.

ohiofem · Jan 28, 2006

i am currently a STNA, here in Ohio waiting for acceptance to a nursing school in my area. I will say this being an aide is very hard and not the best . In respect to becoming a nurse I will say that I think it's a good experience. Most of the RN's and LPN's that i have worked with have been aide's first. They were the best to work under too. They don't mind getting their hands dirty. If you know what I mean.

You can tell the nurses that have never been aides. They only want to chart and re very impersonal. Though I am sure there are a lot of nurse's out there that have never been aide's that are very in touch and don't mind getting in there with you and rolling up their sleeves.

nursemike, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2006

i am currently a STNA, here in Ohio waiting for acceptance to a nursing school in my area. I will say this being an aide is very hard and not the best . In respect to becoming a nurse I will say that I think it's a good experience. Most of the RN's and LPN's that i have worked with have been aide's first. They were the best to work under too. They don't mind getting their hands dirty. If you know what I mean.
You can tell the nurses that have never been aides. They only want to chart and re very impersonal. Though I am sure there are a lot of nurse's out there that have never been aide's that are very in touch and don't mind getting in there with you and rolling up their sleeves.

Thanks for revising your comment on nurses who weren't aides, since I'm one of them who doesn't mind "rolling up my sleeves". I started in healthcare as an orderly, of sorts, and often worked as an unofficial "aide's assistant."

So I did get some hands-on experience with baths and transfers to and from bed (the latter was actually part of my job), but when I started nursing school I decided I didn't need to add the challenge of learning a new job, so I skipped becoming an aide. Sometimes regret it a little, but it probably was the prudent choice, since school was challenge enough.

Despite the cliches, one of the best nurses I work with and a personal role model entered health care right out of nursing school--no prior experience. She's smart, caring, and a hard worker, and those qualities are the ones that count.

To the OP, there are jobs in health care that aren't quite as demanding as CNA work. Friend of mine worked her way through school in an entry-level job in radiology--some pt care experience, but a lot easier than CNA. I don't think CNA experience needs to be mandatory, though it certainly can be beneficial. (If I had it to do over, I'd have gone the aide route before I started school, but this is working out ok, too.)

weetziebat · Jan 28, 2006

I'd never have become an RN myself if being a CNA in a LTC facility was the only entrance into nursing. It's a horrible, dirty, backbreaking job, and if your co-worker is being good to the residents while 'tolerating' it, he's way ahead of a lot of folks!

I agree completely. I have great respect for and , to tell the truth, amazement that anyone can work as a CNA in a nursing home. You could not pay me to do that job. Doesn't mean I am not a good nurse.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jan 28, 2006

I'd never have become an RN myself if being a CNA in a LTC facility was the only entrance into nursing. It's a horrible, dirty, backbreaking job, and if your co-worker is being good to the residents while 'tolerating' it, he's way ahead of a lot of folks!

Totally agree. I never wanted to be a CNA - so I never was one. It has not prevented me from being a good nurse.

RedSox33RN · Jan 28, 2006

I'm in my second semester of nursing school, and work as an LNA (what they call it in my state). I love my patients, in both clinical and work, and feel like I'm really learning, even while working. The nurses are wonderful where I work, and take the time to explain things and put up with all of my questions, even if they don't pertain to a pt. (like all of the metabolic and respiratory acidosis/alkalosis stuff we're doing now).

That said, there are several aspects about my job I don't like. Mostly the hours, but also the transition from passing meds, doing dressing changes, etc., to not having the autonomy I have in clinical while working. It is hard some days to jump back and forth. As an LNA, I'm not allowed to look at a pt. chart (except Kardex) since my facility feels we do not need that information (which is true 99% of the time. And any info I do need I can get from the RN), but of course when in clinical, I have to pour over the chart and know everything in it. It's just hard seperating the two sometimes.

But I KNOW my job as an aide on my Med/Surg unit has given me a HUGE jump on my clinical classmates that are not aides. Most are just learning about CPM's and cryo-cuffs, bladder scans and EKG's, and I've been doing all of these things for months.

And yes, even the "dirtier" aspects of being an aide, I'm much better at now. Before I was an LNA, while in Nursing 101, I almost wanted to cry if I had a bed-bound pt that had a Code Brown explosion. Now it's old hat and I can laugh and talk with the patient during such a bed/Attends change.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

In your opinions, do you think someone can still be a good nurse if they don't like being a CNA?

There are many RNs and LPNs/LVNs who will do anything possible to avoid giving bed baths, emptying urine bags, delivering personal care, and performing other so-called 'CNA duties'.....

Yep, your friend would make a wonderful nurse. There are plenty of people similar to him.

RedSox33RN · Jan 29, 2006

There are many RNs and LPNs/LVNs who will do anything possible to avoid giving bed baths, emptying urine bags, delivering personal care, and performing other so-called 'CNA duties'.....
Yep, your friend would make a wonderful nurse. There are plenty of people similar to him.

I knew in my heart that those nurses existed, but didn't run into one until the other day at clinicals. :crying2:

I'm glad that the hospital I work at, I have no doubts or hesitations about calling my pt's nurse to help me with a messy change, a pull-up in bed, a 2-person assist with the walker to a BSC or chair, etc. I can't imagine trying to get by w/o their help.

jimthorp · Jan 29, 2006

I would not choose to be a CNA as my career. It is a tough job but so is being a nurse. For me it's a matter of being able to do a little more for the people I care for than a CNA can. CNA's are a valued part of the team I work for and even as a nurse I do the typical CNA level work quite often and don't mind it a bit. I honestly wish I had the time to do more of it. I love a good shower myself and wish I had the time to help give them.

Can you imagine how you would feel if you had to have a BM, knew it, asked for help, and the nurses ignored your call for help and told you to wait for an aide?

When in nusring school I vowed to do a lot of CNA level work in my "down time" as a nurse. Boy was I awakened. I have very little "down time" as a nurse and there is never a time when there isn't a nursing function that needs doing.

I think he can still be a fairly good nurse but it sounds like he will be one of those that will not perform CNA level tasks. In my mind, one of the things that differentiates a great nurse from an average nurse is their willingness, or lack thereof, to do anything for the patient that needs doing.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

I think he can still be a fairly good nurse but it sounds like he will be one of those that will not perform CNA level tasks. In my mind, one of the things that differentiates a great nurse from an average nurse is their willingness, or lack thereof, to do anything for the patient that needs doing.

:yelclap: :yeahthat: