I saw the post earlier about the nurse getting confused as a CNA and the way she was treated, and I just had to say something about it. I'm a CNA, in a nursing home, and I get that kinda stuff all the time. I get treated with disrespect like I don't know anything, even though I know the residents better than most anyone else. There are some nurses who help and try not to disrespect me, but every now and then I get the feeling of distaste even from them. The truth is I do more actual care for these patients then anyone else in the field. Alot of nurses say they got into nursing because they wanted to take care of people, but the fact is they spend more time passing meds, and doing paperwork, and getting paid alot more for it, then the people who actually do the care. I'm sorry untill you wiped up someones BM, or vomit, or urine, can you really say you take care of those people. So if you want to do actual care every now and then try helping out a CNA.
Sorry but I get really bitter about the disrespect I receive constantly from the nurses. Heres an example. I have one nurse I work with and our personalities constantly conflict, shes from another country and has a very rude and arrogant attitude. One night I was having to stay late and work a shift I wasn't scheduled for, nurse K asked me if I had got urine output on one of our residents. I said no I was going to due it on rounds in a half hour, mind you I am quite busy at this time. She says well you need to go get it now because I need it before I go home in 10 min. Mind you she is quite not busy at this time, sitting and reading a magazine. Tell me why she couldn't get off her butt and get herself if it was important for her.
This same nurse has nearly killed a resident who was having a heart attack. She didn't care that I said the resident was having chest pains, trouble breathing, and high blood pressure. Her response was that the resident doesn't take her medication so this is whats going to happen. I didn't know this but I later found out that the resident had a prescription for nitro and ativan in cases like this. It took her at least an hour before she delivered the nitro and she never delivered the ativan. When I asked her how I could make the resident more comfortable, she again changed subject and said how this will happen because she doesn't take her medication. I responded that just because she doesn't take her medication doesn't mean we have to be cruel to her. I reported her behavior but shes still working here.
She also does stuff that makes it perfectly clear she doesn't get her hands dirty. She'll go out of her way to have me clean up something that she could have done herself. I get this from all the nurses but shes the worst. The fact is though that I'm not an idiot I have two bachelors degrees, and I'm going onto PA school. Sometimes I know what a resident needs better than the nurse does, and they should know that. And even the aides that only have a high school diploma or GED, most of them have enough common sense and are with a patient long enough to see things nurses can't.
I guess I should have mentioned that being a CNA is stepping stone for me to work with psychiatric patients. This is NOT a lifelong career, and I am currently looking to get out of it. I do not like it. It was not my first choice. But it's a paycheck and I've gained valuable experience and insight. Please, don't give me any self-righteous lectures, I need to eat, too. I'm ready to move on now.
Thank goodness there are people who have the personality to be in nursing; I would just rather help people in a different way. I am glad that there are nurses who are glad to be nurses. It ain't for me, and I already knew that, thanks. Make no assumptions.
I tend to agree with the belief that it's much easier to do well at a job you love, but I recognize that a great many people don't have that option. I would venture to guess that the vast majority are working primarily for a paycheck, and would do something else if they had the option. Heck, I do love my job, but there are plenty of days when at least a part of me would rather stay home and play with my cats.
I think there are many people who manage to do a good job despite feeling unfulfilled. Indeed, I know some excellent nurses who are actively pursuing new careers, and others who are dissatisfied with at least some aspects of their jobs. I also know people who've been aides for 20+ years and are content to make that their career.
I can't blame anyone for wanting to get out of patient care. It's hard work, often gross, and sometimes thankless. There's all kinds of stress, and while the pay usually beats flipping burgers, nobody's getting rich.
But I also feel that any job done conscientiously should be a source of pride. "Menial" is in the eye of the beholder. I got my start in healthcare cleaning toilets--it wasn't a bit glamourous, but it was my job, and I tried to do it well.
One of my favorite aides told me the other night that she has decided to go to Beauty College. Aaargh! She'd be such a good nurse! But it's her life, and she has to do what she thinks will make her happy, so I wish her well, even though she'd be such a good nurse. Well, who knows..maybe she'll change her mind, someday. A nurse who could style hair would be quite nice for some of our female patients...
Cute CNA, if you do your job as well as you can, even if it sucks, that's something to be proud of, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Specializes in Medical Telemetry, LTC,AlF, Skilled care.
Oh heavens, why must there always be a "CNAs vs Nurses" battle going on? The fact is folks, with healthcare, it takes all of us working together to help our patients. I've worked with nurses who have belittled me and have treated me like a wad of gum on their shoe, but luckily most of the time I work with nurses who respect me and rely on me when caring for our patients. Most of the nurses I work with are incredible people who I would walk through fire for. On the other side of the coin there are CNA's who are rude, lazy people who can make work miserable if you let them. Yet again, luckily most of the CNA's I work with are wonderful caregivers that I love working with. The fact is, we all work hard, the nurses and the CNA's have extremely difficult jobs, let's quit fussing about whose job is tougher, or should be paid more than the other. CNA's should not stereotype nurses as slavedriving tyrants and nurses should not stereotype CNA's as lazy idiots. The point is it takes us ALL WE ARE ALL VITAL! There are crappy CNA's there are crappy nurses, but hey that's life. CNA's and Nurses are awesome, hands down :icon_hug:
I guess, what this thread has done for me is make me realize I need to be more conscious of acting with respect to everyone I work with. I really do respect them all, but I'm really quiet and that may come across as ignoring people. Sometimes what I'm thinking comes across in my facial expression, when I am thinking "I have 50 other things to do right now", which isn't good. But other times things come across my face that people interpret differently than I'm actually thinking. For example the other night one of my pts needed frequent B/P checks, and I was in the med room doing something, and the CNA walked in and I happened to look over at her. She immediately said, "I know, I know, I'm going to get it!!" very disgruntled, when I hadn't even said anything or was thinking anything about it. However something in my look or what I was doing apparently meant disrespect/disapproval to her and that is something to work on. I think more, she was upset that she was having to check the pt's B/P every hour and thought I was just having her do it to make extra work for her, when in reality it was an MD order (which I'd let her know). I did try to tell her several times, how much I appreciated all her work, but I guess I need to work on respect in HOW I say things and approach people instead of just WHAT I say. I was an aide before nursing, so I know somewhat how it feels, but it's more fast-paced in the hospital than it was where I worked as an aide. Everyone works hard where I work... we just have different jobs to do, like everyone is saying here.
Any suggestions for expressing respect/appreciation among co-workers without sounding stupid, condescending or insincere?
I tend to agree with the belief that it's much easier to do well at a job you love, but I recognize that a great many people don't have that option. I would venture to guess that the vast majority are working primarily for a paycheck, and would do something else if they had the option. Heck, I do love my job, but there are plenty of days when at least a part of me would rather stay home and play with my cats.
I think there are many people who manage to do a good job despite feeling unfulfilled. Indeed, I know some excellent nurses who are actively pursuing new careers, and others who are dissatisfied with at least some aspects of their jobs. I also know people who've been aides for 20+ years and are content to make that their career.
I can't blame anyone for wanting to get out of patient care. It's hard work, often gross, and sometimes thankless. There's all kinds of stress, and while the pay usually beats flipping burgers, nobody's getting rich.
But I also feel that any job done conscientiously should be a source of pride. "Menial" is in the eye of the beholder. I got my start in healthcare cleaning toilets--it wasn't a bit glamourous, but it was my job, and I tried to do it well.
One of my favorite aides told me the other night that she has decided to go to Beauty College. Aaargh! She'd be such a good nurse! But it's her life, and she has to do what she thinks will make her happy, so I wish her well, even though she'd be such a good nurse. Well, who knows..maybe she'll change her mind, someday. A nurse who could style hair would be quite nice for some of our female patients...
Cute CNA, if you do your job as well as you can, even if it sucks, that's something to be proud of, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Thanks for the encouragement, nursemike :yelclap: I try to do my best, I really do, but sometimes I find myself getting grumpy when I think about how I could be using my education more than what I do. I'm just discouraged, I guess. But I'm getting out soon, because I need to find a part time job so I can focus on graduate-level courses.
Thanks again . It's nice to have someone empathize with me rather than scolding me for how I feel about being a CNA. It has its rewards, but it's not for me...
Any suggestions for expressing respect/appreciation among co-workers without sounding stupid, condescending or insincere?
I think just saying "Thank you for doing x, y, and z" is helpful. And, saying outright that you appreciate how well people do their jobs (without comparing them to other employees).
I think just saying "Thank you for doing x, y, and z" is helpful. And, saying outright that you appreciate how well people do their jobs (without comparing them to other employees).
Makes sense to me, seems like common sense too. Instead of just saying, "thanks for all your help" which is sort of generic, be specific. good advice all around there. Thanks!!!
Here's a question. What do you look for in a CNA in hospital work. I have applied via internet for 8 (count'em) 8 jobs in the past two months and get "not selected". I have 10 years experience.
try sending in your app via snail mail and include a couple letters of recommendation. it worked for me! : )
As a CNA working full time, I understand the ability to become frustrated with the nursing staff if you feel like you are being taken advantage of, underappreciated, ect...
But.......
You have to remember, there is a food chain in health care, and we, as CNA's are close to the bottom. If you don't want to get stuck with the grunt work and low pay, FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION. It's that simple. Not that it doesn't take tremendous sacrifice, but it really is that simple. Where I work, I know I am one of the best at my job, I know this because I take pride in my work, whether it's assisting with a shower or wiping someone who's soiled themselves. I'm not making 100 grand, but I'm not performing brain surgery either.
Sometimes CNA's take themselves too seriously. I know there are plenty of lazy - LAZY - CNA's. I have worked with some really lazy ones. I also work with some really caring, hardworking individuals who really focus on making sure the residents/patients needs are the first priority. The nature of CNA work is to provide basic patient care and hopefully some TLC, since the Nurses, REALLY are too busy with thier responsibilities to spend an extended amount of time with them.
Take advantage of the opportunity you have to bring some sunshine in someone's day, someone being a LTC resident who probably doesn't have alot of positive human contact in his/her life on a daily basis, instead of griping about how unappreciated you are. Sometimes we forget that we might be the only person that day who will touch them, or speak to them. Even if it is dressing or brushing their hair. Take pride in that, look at it as a small gift you can give to mankind. Whatever it takes to make you excited about your work.
Offer to help or observe the nurse do some advanced care, you'll learn something new and they'll appreciate another set of hands. Observe and report changes in their condition, people will notice you care about your responsibilities. And remember what you've seen and learned and GO TO NURSING SCHOOL.
Take one class at time until you can go full time. Advance yourself. Then you'll have an advantage over all those trixies who graduate from school with no experience aside from thier clinicals.
Anyway, Lay off the nurses, we really don't know their jobs until we have that kind of responsibility on our shoulders.
This sounds pretentious and I don't mean it to be, but if you are not part of the Solution you are part of the Problem. Remember it doesn't cost anything to keep your compassion intact. Don't let a few negative people stop you from doing what you love as a career.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents, I have to go to work.
:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:
As a CNA working on my BSN - I LOVE your post! I think alot of one's work environment can be based on attitude. This pays off for me. I always have nurses request me specifically and as I leave for the night, I always get a warm, "Thanks for your help tonight". When I needed letters of recommendations for nursing school, I had no trouble getting them and all mentioned my willingness to work and attitude. As for you thinking nurses have it so easy, when the clock says 2300 - I am outta there, the nurses are still trying to get paperwork done and cannot leave until it is. Just my humble opinion.
I haven't read all of the replies but, as a nursing student, just finished clinicals in an LTC facility and I quite agree with the overburdened CNA who started this thread.
She's venting, ladies, not saying that every nurses treats CNAs disrespectfully.
I came from a unit with 28 patients, not one of whom could sit up without an assist. Two, count 'em, two, CNAs. Two nurses. I have NEVER seen a nurse on the floor get her hands dirty. And I thought they'd be annoyed at having the students since we'd get in the way - wrong. They were thrilled at having the extra hands.
Now, I certainly wouldn't claim that my experience represents anything other than my first clinical assignment. However, I did get the feeling that the nurses would page a CNA from two floors over before wiping a bottom themselves.
Hi, I just passed the NCLEX and have been working as a CNA since 1995 and I feel completely the frustration that you felt in your statement. But I also believe that through that frustration you did not mean ALL nurses. In all my years of working at LTC facilities I can count on one hand the amount of bad nurses I have worked who are just there to pass meds. And I know that for a fact because whenever the any of the good nurses come back from their days off they have to complete the charting, call the doctor to verify orders and do treatments that were suppose to be done a long time ago. I also have seen the "bad" nurses sitting reading a magazine not completing none of there work and then complaining later when they are reprimanded that they did not have enough time. I have also encountered nurses who will walk all the way down the hall into another residents room and tell you that one of your rooms has thier call light on when your right in the middle of cleaning BM off another resident. (She actually had to pass the call light to get to me). I also seen those same bad nurses do a complet turn around once the State drops in. I have never seen them run so fast to answer a light and all the sudden they have plenty of time to "help" the CNA's. But I also know a good many nurses who were CNA's before who are extremely business doing the great tasks that we have went to school for and well. The good nurse who will give a bed pan to a resident and pass her meds if the situation calls for it. I'm not saying that they do it all the time, but when they are free and when they work a CNA doesn't mind working twice as hard to make that LVN shine. I have found that no matter what a person does whether they are teachers, doctors, nurses or aides, everyone feels they do more work than anybody else. CNA's job is extremely physically challenging and stressfull where you have no energy for anything else. But the LVN had to work hard to get that license and keep that license and her responsibilities are enormous she is responsible for all the CNA's and the patients on the floor. Your mistakes are her mistakes. Don't worry to much about the bad nurses their laziness will come to a head eventually. You just keep your eye out for the good ones. Make them your role models and go get your License and show them how it's done.
. It's nice to have someone empathize with me rather than scolding me for how I feel about being a CNA. It has its rewards, but it's not for me...
nursemike, ASN, RN
1 Article; 2,362 Posts
I tend to agree with the belief that it's much easier to do well at a job you love, but I recognize that a great many people don't have that option. I would venture to guess that the vast majority are working primarily for a paycheck, and would do something else if they had the option. Heck, I do love my job, but there are plenty of days when at least a part of me would rather stay home and play with my cats.
I think there are many people who manage to do a good job despite feeling unfulfilled. Indeed, I know some excellent nurses who are actively pursuing new careers, and others who are dissatisfied with at least some aspects of their jobs. I also know people who've been aides for 20+ years and are content to make that their career.
I can't blame anyone for wanting to get out of patient care. It's hard work, often gross, and sometimes thankless. There's all kinds of stress, and while the pay usually beats flipping burgers, nobody's getting rich.
But I also feel that any job done conscientiously should be a source of pride. "Menial" is in the eye of the beholder. I got my start in healthcare cleaning toilets--it wasn't a bit glamourous, but it was my job, and I tried to do it well.
One of my favorite aides told me the other night that she has decided to go to Beauty College. Aaargh! She'd be such a good nurse! But it's her life, and she has to do what she thinks will make her happy, so I wish her well, even though she'd be such a good nurse. Well, who knows..maybe she'll change her mind, someday. A nurse who could style hair would be quite nice for some of our female patients...
Cute CNA, if you do your job as well as you can, even if it sucks, that's something to be proud of, no matter what anyone else thinks.