we are the "kickers" of healthcare!

Published

Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

yes, healthcare IS a team! if it were a football team, we would be the kickers!

WHY?

allow me to explain...

we do not have the "glory" job of the quarterback, running back, or wide receiver. No we don't prescribe the med for that sacrum decub, no (most of the time) we do not pack, dress, or assess the wound, but without us coming into the room EVERY TWO hours and turning that pt...that wound will not heal, without us coming into other pts' rooms and turning q2h we prevent wounds from starting. we may not prescribe a med for a pt with c-diff, we may not give the med for the pt with c-diff, but without us...that pt's skin would break down FAST. we may not relieve pain by prescribing or giving pain meds...., but we do relieve bladder discomfort by showing up with a bedpan, general discomfort by changing "briefs", body position, and bed sheets, we relieve hunger by feeding those that can not feed themselves. Yes, we don't have the glory job of calling the shots or putting 6 points on the board..., but our "EXTRA" points count...and sometimes wins the game.

just like a kicker's contribution is often overlooked and under valued (kickers RARELY get paid what they are worth), the cna also often goes overlooked and yes, underpaid. we are there in an assistive role...but we ARE there. i have always liked kickers. i realize their value. AND i've always liked and realized the value of cna's.

this is NOT a rant about nurses. I LOVE NURSES! i am proud that i get the opportunity to assit them. nursing is an amazing profession full of amazing people. people that don't just zip in, read a chart, spend 2 minutes with a pt, then leave. NO, these are people that say..."for the next 12 HOURS i will be your nurse...if you need ANYTHING, just give me a call, i'll be here!" Please, do NOT turn this thread into a rant.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

YEA!

I also celebrate good CNA's! Without them, my job could not get done.

So I agree...

:thankya: :redbeathe CHEERS TO THE EXCELLENT CNA's!!!:redbeathe :thankya:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
YEA!

I also celebrate good CNA's! Without them, my job could not get done.

So I agree...

:thankya: :redbeathe CHEERS TO THE EXCELLENT CNA's!!!:redbeathe :thankya:

:icon_hug: I THANK YOU! :icon_hug:

one day (may 2007) i will be able to call myself nurse..

until then, i am PROUD to say.."i am a cna!"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN.

Ahhh go on lets make it a rant thread-no I am only joking.

I agree 100% I have always appreciated CNA's and the more you appreciate them the more you work well together.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing assistant.

What an encouraging post! More of a pep talk, not a rant :)

Attitude is 99.9% of what makes it work, isn't it? Seeing how we, as nursing assistants, contribute to the greater goal of providing comfort and healing to our patients: THAT is what keeps us going. With all the indignities, the low pay, the physical demands of this blue-collar-end of healthcare, why don't we all run off to some retail job or factory? Cause, by golly, it is worth it!

And nurses: we depend on you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PP, OR, med-surg,oncology, urodynamics.

very well said, a veeerrrrrrry true! Thanks to all cna's

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A good CNA is worth more than their weight in gold. You are my eyes and ears....without you, I couldn't even begin to do my job. Just a thanks for all the hard work you do. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

This is a thread that I started back when I was a CNA. I am now an RN. I've been working in an ICU, and so, I do not get the opportunity to work with CNAs. I just wanted to let you all know that my feelings have not changed. CNAs are a huge part of healthcare and one should be proud to be a CNA. Do not let society's value of money determine your value as a CNA. You REALLY do make a difference!! So, from me to you....a well deserved pat on all of your backs!!!!!!

Also, I hope that everyone is enjoying allnurses.com. I think that allnurses has shown that they value CNAs by giving them their own forum. Also, because of everyone's participation, you have all made the CNA Forum a big success. I thank you all for that, too!

Sincerely,

Jay

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CNA's are the backbone of every facility. We are the eyes and ears of the nurse. Without CNA's the facilities would have to close. Nurses are wonderful I have no doubt but the CNA is the hands on caregiver and in some cases the only person the resident really trusts. Yet we are underpaid, sometimes treated as part of labor department and because we dont have the college degree sometimes we are not considered real nurses. I worked at a facility once where an Rn made a statement that CNA's didnt need to hear the change of shift report because they werent part of the nursing depart. That nurse was told to apologize to the CNA's by the nursing union and D.O.N. We are very special people because not everyone can share their love to others the way we do. OUr residents needs stay on our minds sometimes when we go home. That special treat they wanted or the new game they tried and liked, or the saddness we felt in our hearts when the long lost family member didnt show up for the residents birthday etc. We listen to our residents most intimate feelings towards their family and their fears of dying. So remember We are angels from heaven the ones who tip-toe into the rooms at night to place that extra blanket on our resident because we know he or she will be cold. And when they are passing we are the ones who hold their hand when their family cant be there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

That is a very eloquent statement, jb. And so very true!

I don't work w/many CNAs. In the NICUs I've worked in, they perform auxilliary tasks: stocking, lab runs, obtaining equipment. I can't begin to tell you how valuable they are. Those things keep the RN @ the bedside, not answering phones, checking in visitors, etc.

Thank you all very much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion