is this all nursing is?

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Dec 18, 2004

I really believe "the environment" or "admin" sets up, supports, or moves along the work climate between others/peers. You see all my titles/degrees on my post, but on the floor...it means squat and I don't use them at work, somewhat out of (believe it or not) some embarrassment or I don't use them/mention them in order to not set myself from my peers. It is a sign of my respect for my peers that I work with. On the floor, I'm just RN. The LPNs and NAs know that I respect them and their work, because I not only tell them, but show them by getting out on the floor assisting. We respect the differences in our roles and jobs when together for the most part. The LPNs are usually grateful that they are not expected to talk to the docs or take orders due to the intimidation factor. They are usually grateful to not be expected to wade through the charts, tests, labs, etc, make critical patient decisions when the S*** hits the fan when a patient takes a turn for the worse, or be the one to put out a crisis or "to be the heavy" when someone needs to be. Again, I'm talking about the hospital setting, not LTC...but, I'm sure some of this translates over. The NAs know that I'm there to assist if they need me and don't hesitate to talk me to assist or discuss concerns regarding a patient. I know they work very hard. And the NAs know that I know. You see, I try to value my peers..the LPNs and NAs because they have their own hectic part of the world on the floor with respect to their roles and they are my extra eyes and ears. Maybe it is just me or that I'm older or that I've been an RN for awhile. I work on a busy med surg floor, so nothing is ever stagnant. Purple Princess, hang in there. You have a good heart. It shows and you try. All you can do is give your best. If you do that, you can walk out of work each day knowing this. Some folks that you may work with have their own hangups or maybe have just not matured enough as a person or as a nurse or some maybe are just burnt out and can't deal with it any better than what they are currently. Not trying to make excuses for them, but it makes some sense. I wish the best for you. Hang in there.

Thunderwolf...just an RN.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Dec 18, 2004

I really believe "the environment" or "admin" sets up, supports, or moves along the work climate between others/peers. You see all my titles/degrees on my post, but on the floor...it means squat and I don't use them at work, somewhat out of (believe it or not) some embarrassment or I don't use them/mention them in order to not set myself from my peers. It is a sign of my respect for my peers that I work with. On the floor, I'm just RN. The LPNs and NAs know that I respect them and their work, because I not only tell them, but show them by getting out on the floor assisting. We respect the differences in our roles and jobs when together for the most part. The LPNs are usually grateful that they are not expected to talk to the docs or take orders due to the intimidation factor. They are usually grateful to not be expected to wade through the charts, tests, labs, etc, make critical patient decisions when the S*** hits the fan when a patient takes a turn for the worse, or be the one to put out a crisis or "to be the heavy" when someone needs to be. Again, I'm talking about the hospital setting, not LTC...but, I'm sure some of this translates over. The NAs know that I'm there to assist if they need me and don't hesitate to talk me to assist or discuss concerns regarding a patient. I know they work very hard. And the NAs know that I know. You see, I try to value my peers..the LPNs and NAs because they have their own hectic part of the world on the floor with respect to their roles and they are my extra eyes and ears. Maybe it is just me or that I'm older or that I've been an RN for awhile. I work on a busy med surg floor, so nothing is ever stagnant. Purple Princess, hang in there. You have a good heart. It shows and you try. All you can do is give your best. If you do that, you can walk out of work each day knowing this. Some folks that you may work with have their own hangups or maybe have just not matured enough as a person or as a nurse or some maybe are just burnt out and can't deal with it any better than what they are currently. Not trying to make excuses for them, but it makes some sense. I wish the best for you. Hang in there.

Thunderwolf...just an RN.

stbernardclub · Dec 18, 2004

Why did you name your post "is this all that nursing is"? Maybe you should have titled it "is this all that cna is"?

stbernardclub · Dec 18, 2004

Why did you name your post "is this all that nursing is"? Maybe you should have titled it "is this all that cna is"?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2004

Why did you name your post "is this all that nursing is"? Maybe you should have titled it "is this all that cna is"?

I totally got the title...and well, as I see it CNA is nursing..IE the reason for the N in CNA. They just aren't LPN's or RN's..but nurses in their own respect on a level. I respect that, highly actually! If it weren't for the hard work of my dedicated CNA's...my residents and the RN staff would be in deep trouble!

Ahhhhhh hospital...the joy! Guess that is why I left it never to return! I saw this treatment from displine to displine equally, but sadly it really did "roll down hill" as they say. Management would get mad and scream at RN's, then the RN's were flustered and angry and it went to LPN's/Aides/CNA's and the lot (pharmasists, RT's, PT's, dietary, housekeeping..the works...I don't feel that is down hill..but that is a good phrase to use).

Look carefully into other areas of nursing...Geris is demanding, and always understaffed and underappreciated by my experience. Till you have some of your own personal autonomy and learn the skills to stand up for yourself (ohhhhhh yes, it is an artform believe me!) in a way to suit situations as they come...well, take it as it is...a learning experience, just too bad it is a rotten one that can strip your spirit at times..but if you can learn to deal with these situations...oh you will be so much better at it the next time, and not have to waste so much precious energy fretting about it, and focus it on who really matters...your patients and yourself!

Good luck to you!!!!!!!!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2004

Why did you name your post "is this all that nursing is"? Maybe you should have titled it "is this all that cna is"?

I totally got the title...and well, as I see it CNA is nursing..IE the reason for the N in CNA. They just aren't LPN's or RN's..but nurses in their own respect on a level. I respect that, highly actually! If it weren't for the hard work of my dedicated CNA's...my residents and the RN staff would be in deep trouble!

Ahhhhhh hospital...the joy! Guess that is why I left it never to return! I saw this treatment from displine to displine equally, but sadly it really did "roll down hill" as they say. Management would get mad and scream at RN's, then the RN's were flustered and angry and it went to LPN's/Aides/CNA's and the lot (pharmasists, RT's, PT's, dietary, housekeeping..the works...I don't feel that is down hill..but that is a good phrase to use).

Look carefully into other areas of nursing...Geris is demanding, and always understaffed and underappreciated by my experience. Till you have some of your own personal autonomy and learn the skills to stand up for yourself (ohhhhhh yes, it is an artform believe me!) in a way to suit situations as they come...well, take it as it is...a learning experience, just too bad it is a rotten one that can strip your spirit at times..but if you can learn to deal with these situations...oh you will be so much better at it the next time, and not have to waste so much precious energy fretting about it, and focus it on who really matters...your patients and yourself!

Good luck to you!!!!!!!!

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Dec 18, 2004

oh puleeeze....the N is there because they are Nurses' assistants...not nurses for crying out loud. I have some of the best CNA's on the planet working at my facility and we couldn't make it through the day with out them, but they are NOT nurses nor do they want to be.

watty · Dec 18, 2004

oh puleeeze....the N is there because they are Nurses' assistants...not nurses for crying out loud. I have some of the best CNA's on the planet working at my facility and we couldn't make it through the day with out them, but they are NOT nurses nor do they want to be.

Some of us "assistants" do want to be nurses. Also, if it weren't for us, nurses wouldn't have a clue what was going on in my nursing home. They give meds and check them if WE say there is a problem. I have wonderful nurses where I work, they treat us with the same respect as their fellow nurses. It is attitudes like the above that gives the "assistant" position such a high burn-out rate. When I am am done with my BSN program (may, 2006), I will give my "assistants" the respect they deserve for their unappreciated work.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2004

Well...as I see it, I consider the N to represent a subsect of the nursing field..and I guess my State Board of Nursing does too since they must be certified with them, and follow the ARS written under the State Board of Nursing for their field of practice and displine. They may not have the education and roll a LPN or RN has...but none the less they are a part of Nursing...and although I call them CNA's I consider them assistant nurses with their own scope of practice and a darned good scope at that!

And even if there is a disagreement with their title, or even their roles..there is one thing that is absolutley nondebatable...they are human beings doing a job to help other human beings and deserve thanks and respect! I wouldn't treat my dog as bad as I have seen other displines in healthcare (not limited to nurses at all...) treat CNA's or even LPN's or RN's! That binds us pretty tightly I think..and we need to stick together..all displines...for the one thing that should matter most..the patients!

I have the highest respect towards all displines in healthcare, from housekeeping to Doctor..we all work together to make things work for our patients (or if you perfer 'clients'). Without one, the others will fall...and who normally gets the blame when things do fall a bit...oh say us CNA's, RN's, LPN's! I think that is all the more reason to support and appreciate a CNA, LPN, and RN!

It is simple, we do different things, but for the same goal...the patient's well being! That alone should have us all holding hands and appreciating eachother...being human beings trying to help in a system that is less than easy should too...and having to give of yourself more times than you give to yourself for the sake of strangers...definately worth appreciation and respect no matter what field you are in...

I think if more people believed in this..we would have far less probelms and we could focus on enjoying our careers, although their roles may be different..and focus on the reason we all did this crazy thing in the first place...the patients who depend on us be it for a helping hand to the bathroom, vital signs, shots, orders, CPR..or a shoulder to weep on...(and the last one doesn't take a 2 or 4 year degree from RN school to achieve and make one heck of a difference ).

Anyway..the point really was, to learn from this experience..oh boy did I learn from many a Nurses treat me less than a slug in the middle of their paths with a big ol container of salt! LOL! But I learned..through tears, though anger, through emotional pain beyond what I ever wanted in life...but I made it by changing my own mindset and saying..."all I can do is learn from this..next time I will be better!". I still am learning, but I sure as heck can make it over quite the salt pile unharmed now..LOL!

Oh yeah..and learned about being respectful and humble towards those of whom I work with and for...if you keep that as a goal...you really can't go wrong :)

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Dec 19, 2004

Didja see what I said???????? "I couldn't get along without them" Sorry all y'all have had bad experiences with people not respecting what y'all do, but don't lump me in with them.

webblarsk · Dec 19, 2004

I love my CNA's and HHA's that I work with. I couldn't get by without them. They are my eyes and ears when I can't be there and I trust them totally. After all, they spend alot more time with the patients for the most part. Nurse's get stuck with all the lovely paperwork. I feel that CNA's should be paid what they are worth and it should be a career. I worked as a CNA for years and loved it but unfortunatley couldn't survive on that salary so I went on to nursing school. Sorry you are having such a rough time at work. Keep your chin up and don't give up!

been there · Dec 22, 2004

as you all know from reading my posts I was in an RN program but didn't pass clinical. I'm doing cna work to gain experience in general. I will go to lpn school soon. i hated the first home i worked at because i was on this float schedule well i'd come to work and they would almost never have an assignment for me and for the first hour i would be running up and down the stairs trying to get my assingnment and then over to the other side. all four units, a big place with 240 beds. they would call me every single time i had a day off and then when i was there they tried to mandate me. even if i worked full time my benefits were based on my bid. also you had to have a bid on a floor and be full time to not get floated. and the staff was ignorant and so were the nurses. i did enjoy home care and was able to set my own schedule pretty much, it was more relaxed but it was too much traveling. Now i'm in a new place and getting disgusted once again. I finished college yesterday and my present was to go to work, get yelled at, and clean up poop. they had me going back and forth between the two units, then one girl left and my only partner left too to drive her home! so that left me for a good half hour to 45 minutes. i needed a pull up and of course it took me awhile to get help. then we get a new admit and i come in and offer to help. so they need a new o2 machine cause the one there didn't work. I go get it. the other aide is starting inventory on the women's things. she asked me while i was there could we get the weight and the nurse heard this!!! so i get the sling under her and set up the hoyer. right then he announces i'll just come back later and storms out like a weight was going to take soooooooo long! now i've always been taught that you get baseline data like weight, height, vitals BEFORE the assessment. Later he has the nerve to holler at me cause the weight wasn't written on the sheet and neither were the vitals. and I told him that he got mad when i went to weigh her and chased me away before i could do anything else. he rambled some more and the other aide told him to cool it. he was also upset because he had to help out the other night cause i missed. i've been sick this week plus i had a big paper and four tests. They knew i was a student when they hired me.this joker is younger than i am! also a woman was on fluid restriction and wanted tea. So i asked the nurse if she could have some.he said YES. So i gave it to her only to be yelled at by the rn and he weezled his way out of it. i feel like i'm being pushed around. it took me three hour to eat a sandwich in between charting, getting lights, and catching potential escapees. how do i stand up for myself without looking like an idiot and not getting in trouble for insubordination?After all these lpn's and rn's must be smarter than me and so deserve more respect right?

You seem like a gutsy gal I would hire in a flash. You've been through the mill and still choose to stay in the nursing field. I agree with Thunderwolf, I don't use my title in the field or on the floor, I'm just a nurse who respects anyone who works WITH me, not UNDER me. Stick with it. Don't get frustrated about not passing a test. Sounds like you go in with stress and the feeling that you won't pass. Get help from nurses in boosting your weak areas. I tutored a CNA whom I encouraged to become an RN. She now puts up with grief that RNs get. Go for it, never lose sight of your goal. Go girl!!