how many nurses did not like being a CNA?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was having a conversation with a co-worker and she is in nursing school but she hates being a CNA. Do you think she will make it as a nurse?

Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

I was a CNA for 4 years before I became a nurse. I absolutley loved it! I loved getting to spend time with my residents getting to about them and their families and sometimes being the only family they had. I have the utmost respect for my nurses aides and I usually help them out any way I can. I can empty a cath, or get them a wash cloth just as easily as they can. When I work as an aid on the floor when we are short staffed I run my A** off and their are those nurses who sit on their butt and not lift a finger to answer a call light or help in any way. I think all nurses should be required to be a CNA before a nurse because it gives you an appreciation for their job and you will not take them for granted. They deserve respect because they work hard and they know their stuff. I definatly loved being a CNA and I now love being a nurse.

The things I did not like was the back breaking, low pay, and being disrespected. I hurt my back amb a residnet because she went down to the floor and my back has never been the same since. I thought $7 was low too when I was an aide we started out around $9.50-$10. That's still not enough for what they endure and all the dutiest they perform.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

We have a few nurses that work the dog-poop out of a CNA. I worked a CNA, and I hated when I worked with those nurses. It was fine with other nurses. Both some nurses think (and I hate this attitude) that because they have a degree that can't wipe a butt, turn a pt, empty a foley, take a BP, ect, ect. And if you are the only tech, with 30 patients, half that need full care, you can't do it all. I eventually started as the work clerk and loved it. Also, I love being a nurse.

Also, just as a follow up, I strongy feel that every nurse should be required to work as a nurses aide before being in a position to delegate to one. I am very careful about when I ask for help, and try not to abuse the delegating thing as I see many many nurses doing.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
She can still make it as a Nurse. But she might not be a quality one.

Since your NOT an RN I don't think you are in the least bit qualified to answer that question.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

There were times that I loved being a CNA, and times that I hated it. The things I loved about it were the amount of time I got to spend with my patients, and knowing that the seemingly small things I did for them made such a big difference to them. Toward the end of my CNA career, though, I did start to hate it, because I was bored with it. I'm the kind of person that has to do something new every now and then, or I feel like I'm stagnating.

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Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.

NancyNurse 08 what field of nursing are you in? You sound like you would make a good ER nurse. You would not get board there always something new and interesting going on.

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Specializes in MICU.

Thank you! I do believe everyone should be a CNA for at least a year before going to school. You get invaluable experience!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'd like to know what is better about being a nurse than a CNA?
I worked as an aide many moons ago, and now I'm a nurse. Therefore, I feel somewhat qualified to answer your question.

Okay. So, what is better about being a nurse than a CNA?

1. Higher pay.

2. More autonomy.

3. More responsibility.

4. More career mobility.

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I'm sensing a bit of superiority coming from the RN posters. They're very hasty to tell me that I know nothing about being an RN--this is the same attitude I have to put up with as a CNA--I am reminded how I am their degenerate and know nothing.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
I'm sensing a bit of superiority coming from the RN posters. They're very hasty to tell me that I know nothing about being an RN--this is the same attitude I have to put up with as a CNA--I am reminded how I am their degenerate and know nothing.

it's not superiority. You DON'T know anything about being an RN. Just like the RN's you work with don't know anything about being a CNA unless they have been one before.

I don't know about being a doctor. I don't want problems they have, because I've never done that. Doesn't make me inferior, just have a different role.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I'm sensing a bit of superiority coming from the RN posters. They're very hasty to tell me that I know nothing about being an RN--this is the same attitude I have to put up with as a CNA--I am reminded how I am their degenerate and know nothing.
It is my duty to remain as level-headed as possible during these types of discussions, while still expressing my opinions. Without further ado, I'll go ahead and opine. ;)

I'm an LPN/LVN, so I know nothing about being an RN at this time. Working alongside other RNs does not qualify me as a resource or guru regarding the role of the RN. I will not ever fully comprehend and appreciate being an RN until I earn the degree, obtain the licensure, and work as an RN.

You are a nursing assistant, so you know nothing about being an RN. Working with RNs does not qualify you as a resource or expert on the role of the professional registered nurse. Additionally, you will not fully understand being an RN until you have actually earned the degree and license, and have worked as an RN.

You'll never fully know, until you walk a mile in the shoes of the RN.

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Specializes in Telemetry.
That's really low $7/hr. I defintely wouldn't do it. Where I work we make $12-$15 /hr.

I'd like to know what is better about being a nurse than a CNA? Because at many hospitals the RNs do exactly what the CNAs are doing, therefore many are choosing to work in a nursing home where they don't have to change diapers, clean bedpans, or do any heavy lifting.

With all due respect, your statement that RNs do exactly what the CNAs are doing reflects your lack of understanding of the RNs job.

RNs most certainly DO NOT do the exact same thing as a CNA. Yes, they do some of the tasks when need be, but they also do SO much more. Its not just changing diapers, cleaning bedpans, heavy lifting etc. Its assessing, critically thinking, performing treatments, passing meds (which is more than just handing out pills, there are assessments to go along with), documenting, planning care, advocating for pts, taking drs orders, and a ton of other stuff I'm not sure I can quantify. There is a reason that it takes a minimum of 2 years of intensive study, and at least a year or two on the job to be a fully trained nurse.

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The administration at my hospital aren't all nurses. However, even the non-nurses have the authority to fire a nurse for doing a poor job. Obviously, it is not impossible to understand what being a good nurse entails without being a nurse.

Nurses have a job description just like every other job that has ever existed.

If you follow most of the thinking that's being posted here, the only people that should be allowed to vote for the president are those who have already been the president. Anyone who hadn't been the president before wouldn't understand what it took to be a good president and wouldn't be able to judge who would be the best choice.

A CNA is in a great position to evaluate the type of person who makes a good nurse. They see all kinds of nurses on the job and they've seen and know what works and what doesn't. Some of our CNA's have been there for 20+ years. They've seen new nurses who were unhappy because it just wasn't what they'd thought it would be and they've seen the ones who live for the work and wouldn't be happy doing anything else.

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