"I don't know why she has to get such a lowly job just to be a nurse"

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 25, 2016

They don't. Just keep following your plan.

MedChica · Mar 27, 2016

She'll get it if she becomes an elder with no one to care for her. The CNAs will be her lifeline because the nurse simply cannot be everywhere at once. Half of the issues Ive responded to are brought to my attention by our aides: Fractures, bruises, high temps, odd vitals, loose stools, no stools, abnormal behavior, abnormal mobility, etc..handled because the aide noticed something off about one of our people. People who think it a lowly position dont know what the hell theyre talking about. Our aides dont do lowly work. Theyre just paid lowly.

Being an aide also allows you to be a more effective manager, OP. Youll know a crappy aide when you see one but youll also be more understanding of the workload and, in turn, more understanding of those who must work it (short usually)

neuron · Mar 31, 2016

My aunt said this about me to my grandmother when she heard I was going to be trying to get my CNA license.
1. Nursing school will be more likely to accept me if I gain experience from having this so-called "lowly" job.
2. There is nothing "lowly" about taking care of other people. It's always something to be proud of.
Some people just don't get it.

Nothing lowly about it. It is just a line of work. Got to start somewhere. If you get certified as a CNA, depending on where you are, doors will open up.

Kystudentrn · Mar 31, 2016

Alright I have a different take on this. Being a Cna had absolutely no bearing on my acceptance into nursing school. I'm not saying that's the case everywhere but for me it was not a factor. I'm mixed on recommending a Cna position to anyone. The job is horrible and the pay is even worse. You have the least respect of anyone in the hospital and the nurses have a tendency to speak to you like you're a 5 year old. In fact when I graduated I was offered a position on the same floor where I worked as an aide and extern but I turned it down and was given a different floor. I had no desire to work with condescending people who's attitudes suddenly changed because I graduated. That being said you do learn about the basics of nursing care. I wouldn't recommend it but it's up to you.

jjmm RN,BSN · Apr 2, 2016

I was a CNA before I became a nurse and I thought it was worth it. I was a lot more comfortable performing patient care and talking to and relating to patients than other student nurses just starting. I wasn't treated badly except maybe a few times from certain nurses, but I was a float in a hospital so I didn't deal with the same people all the time anyway. I never treat the aides I work with badly, they can make or break my day to be honest. That being said it is better experience to work in hospital than long term care depending on your goals when you become a nurse. I started as a CNA in LTC and I honestly hated it. I liked caring for the residents, but we were always understaffed and it was backbreaking work. The hospital was way better for me personally. I don't think it is lowly work at all. Most of the aides I work with are awesome, and know we depend on them a lot...they provide me with a lot of information about patients that I can't get myself because I just cannot be in the room as much as they are.

AnArtist · Apr 3, 2016

CNA work is lowly in that it is hard, there are easier jobs that pay just as much, and you don't have to have as much education. But I have seen so many good CNAs that are so dedicated and really have a heart for this work. It should be considered an honor to be able to provide care for these patients while preserving their honor and dignity.

Nevergiveup4 · Mar 14, 2023

For me, nursing is a lowly job. In my mum's culture, it is considered a servant class job. Despite spending so much money on education and always giving my best, I have endured from patients racial remarks and belittling comments like 'Here comes the shower girl'. But during COVID, while lots of people lost their jobs and could not pay their mortgages, I could! It is a dirty and draining job, but you'll never go hungry.