I work with a guy at a nursing home as a CNA. We are both students working towards our RN. He complains constantly about how he does not like being a CNA but is only tolerating it so he can be more comfortable when it comes to the clinical portion of his nursing requirements. I don't know why this person wants to be a nurse if he doesn't like working as an aide. Too his credit though he is very warm, personable and kind. In your opinions, do you think someone can still be a good nurse if they don't like being a CNA?
I'm a nursing student and have never worked as a CNA (nor opted to get my CNA). While most people in my class have experience and I don't..........I will be a good nurse. I don't mind the work, but can't imagine doing it (just that) for years. I like diversity I guess.
Never wanted to be a CNA, never wanted to work LTC...so I don't and haven't. The discussion of 'Do CNAs make better RNs' reminds me of the 'ADN vs. BSN'. Put it to rest already. If it's one thing our patients should have taught us in the very least- we're all very different and just because we don't do things YOUR way doesn't mean MY way is better or worse.
never wanted to be a cna, never wanted to work ltc...so i don't and haven't. the discussion of 'do cnas make better rns' reminds me of the 'adn vs. bsn'. put it to rest already. if it's one thing our patients should have taught us in the very least- we're all very different and just because we don't do things your way doesn't mean my way is better or worse.
I don't think that being a CNA first will make a better nurse. It might help that nurse be a little more compassionate towards her CNAs, but not always! I hated almost every moment of being a CNA in med-surg while I was in nursing school. But I did it for the experience. It was 50/50 with my classmates - some worked as CNAs or PCTs, others didn't.
I will say that it made a huge difference when it came to nursing clinicals. Being a CNA helped a ton as far as basic patient care went. My first clinical was pre-CNA and I was terrified and slow. After a summer as a CNA, my junior year clinicals were much easier, at least as far as things like vitals, beds, baths, moves, briefs, etc. Even just spending that time in the hospital helped. I was also used to juggling 20 patients, so the 1-2 we got in clinical was much easier, even though I had a lot more to do for each of them.
But yeah, there's nothing wrong with hating CNA work. It's a gruelling job.
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
I have found that many people working as CNA's while getting their nursing degrees dislike CNA for more reasons that the suface would tell!
Some don't like the fact that with the knowledge in their brains, they are limited to what they can do for a patient. I would hate to NOT be able to do what my skills as a nurse can do, and believe me...LTC...it would kill me because I know if I could just do it, it would get done and done much quicker than if I had to hunt down a nurse and wait till they weren't busy! That would frustrate the heck out of me!!!!!!
Second, no matter what...there are people that do not like ADL's, just like some that don't like med pass, treatments, paperwork and the like. That is what makes us all individuals with different strengths. Personally, I totally suck at tranfers...and always ask for assistance. Many others feel that I ask for help because I don't want to do the work myself...not true, I have broken both wrists once and they are weaker and my upper body strength has never been up to par with my lower body strength...I am just aware of that and know I need help for the patients sake, and myself too! And I always participate when I ask for help...its just a typical one person transfer may be a two person...me and someone to assist me.
And yes, there is the stereotype underlying CNA vs Nurse deal that will sneek up and get ya once in a while. Deep down I do believe most people look at CNA as a stepping stone to RN and don't want to be reminded or do tasks that feel like a step back. I don't feel this is true at all, but even some nurses and CNA's I know will be talking to me and I see that feeling deep down between the lines of what they are saying...that can add to frustration as well.
And also remember, some people TALK out their issues more than others! Instead of bottling it up, they talk about it...sometimes ad nauseum LOL! So that can give a wrong impression as well...and something these people must know about themselves...because patients will take complaining staff to heart in many ways...most not good!
Anyway...just a few underlying factors there to consider :)
Specializes in SDU, Tele, Hospice, Radiology, Education.
I just found this thread and decided to resurrect it just to add one thing to it. I do not believe that CNA experience should be mandatory, but I do think that it would be helpful to have some hospital experience. I am in the 2nd semester of nursing school, and have worked in one position or another in a hospital for 5 years. Although I have not been a CNA, I did get experience that has helped me immensely. I no longer have hands-on patient care as I am a Cardiac Monitor Tech, but I was an orderly (sort of) for 4 1/2 years before this position. We liked to call ourselves gophers because we "go-for" anything, including helping nurses with some procedures and sometimes helping CNA's. I feel like I have a leg up taking care of patients because I have dealt with patients in many different situations. And that is my two cents....
I was a CNA for eight years before I became an LPN in november of last year. I don't believe that being a CNA before you become a nurse makes you better at being a nurse but it can be comforting knowing that you can handle a person in a situation that can be very embarrasing for you and the patient. After so many opportunities to help a person with the personal care that many people would only consider giving to themselves you can be at ease with that part of you job and put you mind on what matters in a nursing perspective. It took me along time to overcome being embarrased by a naked stranger now I can handle anything that comes my way and I can adapt to a dirty situation.
I agree that it is not necessary to be a CNA in order to become a good nurse.
CNA work actually seems to be very removed from nursing skills. I have worked LTC as a CNA, (and in other places) for several years. Many great nurses I have worked with never did CNA work. They were focused and quite compassionate.
I worked as a CNA in a hospital during nursing school and while I didn't hate it, I didn't absolutely love it either. I liked interacting with the patients and liked talking and listening to them, and I didn't mind doing the "dirty work" but the part I didn't like was that felt like it was ALL I ever did. I would go around begging the nurses to let me watch what they were doing or explain procedures to me. I felt frustrated as a CNA because I couldn't wait to graduate nursing school and do all the other things I couldn't do until I had a license. Now as an RN I really enjoy my job and I still have no problem taking a patient to the bathroom or emptying catheter bags, bringing drinks, etc. As long as my meds are all passed out on time and the treatments, etc. are done, I have no problem rolling up my sleeves and helping out with more hands on care. It's sad because while I helped two different pts. to the bathroom yesterday, the CNA I was working with came into the room and looked at me with amazement and she apologized for not getting into the rooms before me to walk the pts. to the bathroom. I just said that I finished my work so I thought I'd see who needed help. It's sad because I know of certain nurses on my unit who would never do any of these things and that bothers me. It's one thing to be truly busy with assessments, meds, treatments, calling docs on the phone, etc, but when you're not busy, why not pitch in? Sorry I went off on a tangent! :) I'm so glad I was a CNA first because now as an RN I can see both sides very clearly. :)
I work with a guy at a nursing home as a CNA. We are both students working towards our RN. He complains constantly about how he does not like being a CNA but is only tolerating it so he can be more comfortable when it comes to the clinical portion of his nursing requirements. I don't know why this person wants to be a nurse if he doesn't like working as an aide. Too his credit though he is very warm, personable and kind. In your opinions, do you think someone can still be a good nurse if they don't like being a CNA?
Thank you
Nurse wannabee
Absolutely!!! Being a cna (let alone, being one at a nursing home) is hard labor with squat pay. Think about it-- ALL you do is empty bedpans, measure output, take vitals... I was a CNA for 4 long years at a hospital, and I really didn't enjoy it. I'm a nurse now and LOVE it!! I feel like I get to know my patients MORE now as a nurse than I ever could as a CNA. You have like 10-15 patients as a CNA, and, most of the time, you get very little information on their background, etc. Yeah, I'm busy as hell as an RN as well, but now I feel like I can take care of more of patients' needs than just emptying their potty stuff (which I still do, by the way-- I'm not one of those uppity nurses, okay?!!). I always try to be super nice and appreciative of our cnas too, because I remember how hard and sometimes incredibly boring it could be!!! Not boring because it wasn't busy but because it was just doing the same mindless tasks over and over again!!
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.
Wow! I felt exactly the same way, too. I also had a BA when starting CNA school. I wanted to start at the bottom and work my way up, I guess, and also to go into nursing with some on-hands patient care experience. However, I also felt very embarrassed in class.. the tests were such breezes!! and there were people in there who really struggled with some of the stuff. I felt bad about it, but I also felt frustrated at having to go through lessons at such a slow pace!!! I'm glad I was a CNA before becoming a nurse, but I wish now that I hadn't started so early. Fours of CNA work was DEFINITELY more than I could take.
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.
I can really relate to this too! Four years ago I was 24 years old and had a Master's degree in biology when I decided to take a CNA course at the Red Cross. I felt strange being in a class that required us to take a reading exam before we could be allowed into the class. Some of the students barely passed high school, so it took some adjusting for me, but it turned out to be a great learning experience. However, I'm glad that's over now and I'm a nurse. :)
RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN
8,498 Posts
I'm a nursing student and have never worked as a CNA (nor opted to get my CNA). While most people in my class have experience and I don't..........I will be a good nurse. I don't mind the work, but can't imagine doing it (just that) for years. I like diversity I guess.