Please explain: Trained as PSW, can I be called Certified Nursing Assistant?

[Carole Reitzel]

Hi to everyone: I am new to this program. I live in Ontario Canada.

Graduate of Conestoga College 10 month program with 3 placements for practical experience. Exams, projects, speeches thru out program.

I was just wondering if we could be called Certified Nursing Assistants, rather than a Personal Support Worker. "Worker" to me sounds harsh.

As we do, do nursing procedures. The only thing I don't do at my place of employment is med's and dressings, catheter inserting. We do bowel lists, presp creams, report to charge nurse regarding changing in resident, skin problems, We empty and measure outputs of urine. We transfer residents, turn residents, use lifts, change adult diapers, feed residents, toilet residents, documents our care on a computer, take 24 hours notes. Assist in emergencies. Bath residents. Perform after life care.

Thanks Carole

[xokw, BSN, RN]

I'm confused about what you are asking.

Personal support worker is what this role is called in Ontario, there is also a government registry for PSWs, we cannot just change the title.

[xokw, BSN, RN]

Also, I don't want to sound nitpicky but the physical tasks (meds, dressings, catheters, etc.) are not what differentiate a PSW from a nurse (RPN or RN). It is the thought process behind what we do and the added responsility that comes along with being a registered health care professional.

I have the utmost respect for the PSWs I work with (I worked as one before becoming a nurse) but the difference between these professions is in more than just the physical tasks we complete.

[loriangel14, RN]

You are doing PSW duties, not nursing duties. It's not up to allnurses to change the title. This is just a nursing forum. PSW is the official title of the position you have trained for. You are not doing any duties which require a nursing license. You are not performing any "procedures".

[CanadianGirl79]

No, you should not be called a Certified Nursing Assistant. For one thing, you are not "certified" to my knowledge. Are you regulated by any body? Also, you are not performing any "nursing" actions. I greatly value all that PSWs do. You are excellent members of the health care team. However, you are not "almost" a nurse. You don't give meds or insert catheters as you do not have the knowledge, skill or judgement to do those nursing acts. Could you physically do the skill? Almost certainly. But being a nurse and being given the right to do those acts is far more involved than simply possessing the ability to them.

If you don't like your title, and want to do more, go back to school and bridge to nursing. Otherwise, be proud to be a PSW. Or refer to yourself as a Health Care Aide - in Ontario, that title is also sometimes used. You can also be called a UCP, or Unregulated Care Provider. But Ontario does not have Certified Nursing Assistants. You are not certified or regulated.

Sorry if I sound harsh, but your post rubbed me the wrong way, as it comes across as though you feel that you are almost a nurse because of the tasks you do. While as I said, I greatly value PSWs, you are not almost a nurse, and should not go around telling people that you do almost everything a nurse does, because that is simply not true.

[Carole Reitzel]

Hi: I am responding to my question. I was not out to upset anyone.

I just wanted to know if we could be called a CNA. I know in the

States they are called that. I also am not saying I am a nurse.

I am proud to be a PSW. Again I was not out to upset anyone

Thanks

CR

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

To be called a "CNA=Certified Nursing Assistant" in US, one is required to have taken a training program, pass proficiency exam and work minimum# hours per year to maintain certification. Otherwise, those who hav3e on the job training or do not pass exam are called PCA= Personal Care Assistant or homemaker if no hands on personal care provided.

[Mewsin]

I wonder who does the naming, is it the province?They just changed our name from SCA(special care aide) to CCA(continuing care assistant). It was funny to me because I was taking that 10 month course for CCA to become a SCA. Now I walk around work and change the nurses on duty signs to say CCA when they've forgotten.

[Alexandriia]

Psw's are nothing like nurses. I don't mean to sound harsh. I started as a PSW when I was 19 and I also thought nurses weren't far off from myself. I am now 24 and almost complete the RPN program. It is completely different. Psws do not do nursing duties. On occasion they are delegated but there is a huge difference. Nurses go through hell and back to earn their title, it's well deserved.

[Mewsin]

I wouldn't go that far. CCAs are a very important part of the nursing team who work their butts off every day. They do charting, they give report, they do the personal care (that as a rpn is included in your nursing duties), they are our eyes and ears.