Not Being Respected as a CNA

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Nurses Month 2024 | Discounts & Freebies AORN Celebrates Nurses Month

Hello to all my fellow CNA's out there. I have almost been a CNA for a full year and have only held one job as a CNA at a very large teaching hospital in NC. My question for CNA's is how do you deal with not being respected by some of the nursing students, nurses, doctors, and sometimes even fellow CNA's? I love my job and since I have a year under my belt I finally feel comfortable in my role and feel like I do my job well. But the one thing I have not gotten used to is the lack of respect and being treated like an idiot. Is it just a matter of needing to be more thick-skinned? I am doing my prerequisites for nursing school and really enjoy patient care and the learning the experiences that have come from being a CNA. But I am considering finding a different job while I am in nursing school. Has anyone else been through this and if so how did you handle it?

Honey, at my old CNA job even the maids were paid more and looked down on us. All you can do is say to hell with them. You're not there for them, you're there for the residents and patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am just starting as an STNA and so far I haven't gotten much respect either.

Don't wear your heart on your sleeve and just focus on the resident.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CNAs aren't respected and probably never will be respected. Respect has to be earned and given. I've been a Cna for a very long time and it's same as when started at over 20yrs ago. You will always have bad apples in a bunch. You have to demand respect. Cnas are the front line in healthcare. We see what nurses don't and they rely on us (too many do). But it is what it is. I've learned to work smart not hard. Do what I can and pass on the rest. For those that "I went to school for", ducking work and "that's your job", EVERYONE'S just got harder not only MINE'S. Treat me like an idot I will act like one. Now everyone has work to do. Nursing has changed so drastically not for the good. Nobody cares about the "patient ", I despise "customer ". Being sick is a business and providing care is a service and patients stay in hotel not a hospital. I stay because at the end of shift I've done my best, treated my pt like a human being, can close my eyes with a clear conscience and PRAY someone does the same for me one day; despite all the negatively . Nursing is a beast!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was a CNA for 10 years and a have been a nurse for 2&1/2 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment