LVN's working with CNA's

Jules A, MSN · Jan 30, 2009

What a shame that you aren't being treated with respect because being a CNA is hard work! I guess the positive is that it sounds as if you are taking this in stride and will use it to guide your relationships when you start working as a nurse. Personally I love my techs especially the really sharp ones. Just in general I try to treat everyone with respect and I never lose sight of the thought that I wouldn't want to do the CNA's job for my pay.

caliotter3 · Jan 30, 2009

Well, I can't say that you are reporting anything that is out of the ordinary. It is unfortunate and I hope that you are able to convince some of your future co-workers to change their behavior if they need to. Good luck in your new career.

systoly · Jan 31, 2009

Bravo! By providing an environment that nutures mutual respect between coworkers you not only improve quality of care, but you'll also have a lot more fun. While giving agency staff the hardest assignments is common practice, it is very costly in the long run. The agency I work for part time makes no secret of the fact that they offer choice assignments to their best employees first. Ergo, those people will not take a second assignment at a facility they didn't like.

G-townLPN · Jan 31, 2009

I totally agree with you. I have been a CNA for the past 10 yr and I just passed my boards for LPN and I know how hard a CNA's job is. It is unfortunate that people act that way. I can tell you I will not.:heartbeat:heartbeat

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2009

The people who are are the bottom of the interdisciplinary food chain are typically treated poorly and, unfortunately, this includes CNAs. Since many people associate being a CNA with cleaning poop and other so-called 'dirty work,' this job tends to be one with extremely low prestige. CNAs are enormously important to heathcare, but they tend to not be treated as such. Being an aide involves virtually no prestige, a lack of respect, low pay, and the knowledge that you are replaceable. Some people might be offended by my comments, but I stand by them because I was once an aide.

I am an LVN and have never been rude to my CNAs, but many of my coworkers have self-esteem issues and, therefore, try to berate and belittle the aides to boost their own pitiful egos. A few of my nurse coworkers try to control every single aspect of the CNA's day, without consideration that the aide is a person with feelings. I value my CNAs and always thank them for their help, but countless people don't place a great deal of value on the aide's work.

My former director of staff development stated that CNAs were "undereducated and poor."

Here's one more thought. The nurses at the various facilities will probably treat you better if they knew you had completed an LVN program and were waiting to take NCLEX. CNAs who are nursing students, GNs, and GVNs tend to be treated a little more respectably than the career CNAs, because there's some hidden social and cultural capital involved in ascending the career ladder.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 31, 2009

My former director of staff development stated that CNAs were "undereducated and poor."

That is disgraceful. Sounds to me like your former director was an idiot. Just because someone is a CNA does not mean they are undereducated and if facilities paid CNAs what they are actually worth for the miserable hard job they do they'd be very wealthy! :angryfire

JoAnnS · Feb 1, 2009

Hello All:
I'm a recent grad from LVN school and waiting to take the NCLEX. I was hired by a nursing registry two weeks ago to work as a CNA until I receive my LVN license. This is my first working experience as a CNA. I am shocked at the level of disrespect I have received from the employed LVN's and RN's at the multiple facilities I have worked at. I have not disclosed at any assigments that I am a LVN graduate, I just show up as a CNA and ask for my assignment.
I have been talked down to, ignored by most when I ask a question, or for their help, and of course I have been assigned the most difficult of patients/residents. I understand that some of this has to do with the fact that I work for a registry and am not an employee of the facility. I guess my point for sharing this is..............isn't nursing all about the patient? Does it not take the entire team (CNA's, LVN's, RN's, MD's, etc...) to provide quality healthcare? As much as licensed nurse's don't appreciate being talked down to, or mistreated by MD's.....let me please remind you all that CNA's don't deserve it either. The past two weeks has been an eye opener for me, and the experience I am gaining will only make me a better nurse. I have great respect for CNA's that do their job well. Please show them the appreciation and respect they deserve. :redbeathe
tlombardi

Yeah.. isn't it the worst field you have ever entered?

I am shocked at all the nonsense going on in all facilities. I blame the facility for allowing this nonsense to take place.

Sorry for your trouble. I have some great CNA's on my time and I love them. It's sometimes the floats that think they can be nasty and don't have to do a great job cause it's not their regular floor.

I am almost ready to give up this LPN thing. Some people are wonderful and some people need to be fired!

Good luck to you

krystald409 · Feb 1, 2009

good luck with everything!

Jules A, MSN · Feb 1, 2009

Sort of the same topic but one thing I will never understand is the stories about a float person coming to the unit and geting treated poorly or geting the worst assignment. Sheesh when we are short handed I'm totally thankful for someone who is willing to come pitch in to help and they definitely get all the assistance I can offer. Not only is that just good manners, imo, its also safer for the patient. How can it make sense for a nurse unfamiliar with the unit to be stuck with the most challenging patients?

:banghead: