"Just" a CNA?!

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I confess being a total rookie - I graduated with my BSN in December 2013. Already I am kinda annoyed, miffed, and confused over this rampant obsession over what role people are in the healthcare team.

The one that kills me the most is hearing "I am just a CNA". Well let me tell you something Just a CNA - I have learned a lot from you! CNAs have taught me how to be better, faster, and more efficient in basic aspects of care my schooling totally neglected to teach me. I have nothing but respect for CNAs and the help (and lets be real here, butt saving) you guys have given to me during school and during my first few terrifying weeks as a nurse!

Then you have the weird aggression over LPN vs ADN vs BSN etc. I just thought (clearly, naively) that we were all on the same team. Everyone is bringing something different to the table and isn't that supposed to be a good thing?

I am not one frequently attributed with being a starry-eyed idealist - but in the last few weeks this issue has really gotten under my skin as I have seen way too much time, energy, and effort wasted on debating over crap like "an ADN shouldn't be allowed to serve in leadership" or a "BSN shouldn't get more money than an ADN" or an "LPN has no right to work cardiac step down" - all of these comments I have heard in the last week alone. WHO CARES!? Go take care of your patient and stop bickering over this crap during shift! Appreciate your coworkers! Cooperate with each other! Sheesh!

Ok. End rant.

Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I hesitate to side on the opposite side of most of the comments, but I'd just as soon not have CNAs of Techs in my department. Most of the ones I've worked with have had the "I'm the real care giver here so I'll have to tell the nurses how to do the job" attitude. Every time I've trusted one with a delegated task that was important, they have let me down. If I had my way "Nursing" would consist of RNs with a baseline education- it doesn't have to be a BS- but "X" number of clinical hours, "Y" hrs of classroom basic science, leadership, problem solving, and, of course, passing boards. It's no wonder the public can't figure out what a nurse is- we cannot define it for ourselves. All the various layers of caregivers just promotes confused, fractured care. I can't tell you how many shifts I've gone without lunch with barely a bathroom break in 12 hrs- but in the same shift my CNA or Tech went to a 35-45min lunch, and 2-3 15 minute breaks as well as running off to the lunch room,bathroom parking lot for a smoke whenever they weren't specifically told to do something that very second. The difference- I'm responsible for everything the happens to the patient. The NA is responsible for not getting caught goofing off too much. For all that I get attitude and smart A.. remarks whenever I ask them to do some small part of their job.

Specializes in Telemetry.
I read a comment that just made my heart break a little from a user saying that CNAs are the bottom of the totem pole and hardly know anything. She also mentioned that CNAs cannot do assessments; some facilities do let CNAs do their own assessments (I have mine, because I work in Med/Surg, and I also had them when I worked in the Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center of the hospital, before I was moved up), along with the one the RN provides. Some people NEED TO USE THEIR COMMON SENSE and remember that all states and facilities have different rules, before they go around saying rude things such as 'CNA's are the bottom of the totem pole'. Everyone has a job and that is to take care of the patient or the resident, and to treat each that person and their co-workers equally and with respect, or they're just going to have a miserable time at that point in their life. Life is too short to be bitter. Oh and Happy Nurses' Week everybody! In Idaho, CNAs, and NAs are recognized also.

I know of no facility or state that would allow a CNA to perform actual patient assessments. You may be allowed to take and record vitals or obtain blood glucose levels but you have neither the education or legal standing to perform and chart a head to toe assessment or come up with a nursing diagnosis or care plan.

I know this is an older post, but I'm just wondering if some of you can chime in. I'm new to allnurses.com, and don't know how to start a thread. I apologize. Anyway, this thread caught my attention. I'm a 35 year-old male, and have been a CNA for the past 5 years. My wife is a chief nursing officer for a rehabilitation hospital, and I'm feeling totally ashamed of my current position. We had to relocate across the country about a year ago, and just recently found a new job. I am a senior caregiver for a very, very wealthy man who was quite famous back in the day. I get paid very, very well (nurse pay) and it's a Monday - Friday job. However, I am so embarrassed and ashamed of myself for not having a "real" career. I've put it on hold so many times, due to our children, or making sacrifices so that my wife can move up. I feel like I've wasted so much time, and I'm very depressed that I'm just a senior caregiver. Although he's a stroke patient (I've been on neuro for 5 years), I have so much medical knowledge and skills that I'm just not using. Is being a caregiver something to be ashamed of? I feel awful about it.

I know this is an older post, but I'm just wondering if some of you can chime in. I'm new to allnurses.com, and don't know how to start a thread. I apologize. Anyway, this thread caught my attention. I'm a 35 year-old male, and have been a CNA for the past 5 years. My wife is a chief nursing officer for a rehabilitation hospital, and I'm feeling totally ashamed of my current position. We had to relocate across the country about a year ago, and just recently found a new job. I am a senior caregiver for a very, very wealthy man who was quite famous back in the day. I get paid very, very well (nurse pay) and it's a Monday - Friday job. However, I am so embarrassed and ashamed of myself for not having a "real" career. I've put it on hold so many times, due to our children, or making sacrifices so that my wife can move up. I feel like I've wasted so much time, and I'm very depressed that I'm just a senior caregiver. Although he's a stroke patient (I've been on neuro for 5 years), I have so much medical knowledge and skills that I'm just not using. Is being a caregiver something to be ashamed of? I feel awful about it.

You should absolutely NOT be ashamed of this! From what you have said, you sound like a wonderful health care provider and husband.

That being said, if you aren't fulfilled, maybe have a conversation with your wife? Could pursing more education be something you could do part-time while you work? Food for thought.

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