RN who wouldn't be CNA

rogramjet · Aug 10, 2005

I chose not to be a CNA. I had lots of janitorial/housekeeping experience prior to going to nursing school, and where I work, they make as much as the CNAs and don't work half as hard. Besides I had to work full time to support myself through nursing school, so I worked nights as a HKP and went to school all day. I could do houskeeping in my sleep and often did, whereas as a CNA I would be afraid to give patient care and be that tired, too easy to make mistakes. I did get comments from some of the staff over it. Although I have a business management background and worked in Corporate America for 10 years, I was treated like the housekeeper who wanted to become a nurse. As badly as CNAs are treated by some RNs, housekeepers are even farther down on the ladder.

As an RN I have all of the respect in the world for the CNAs and housekeepers. They make our life much easier.

Nickle · Aug 10, 2005

Our program required that you become certified as a CNA before you could matriculate. (Not everyone necessarily worked as a CNA, however - but at least they had been through CNA training and to a few CNA clinical days.) I worked as a CNA before I started nursing school - and what a difference I feel that it made. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I can see a difference with some of the nurses who weren't CNAs - the attitude that the work is "beneath" them. Or sometimes they are just ignorant to the massive workload, and it doesn't occur to them to lend a hand to the CNAs. I think the CNAs respect the nurses who have "done their time" more. It also gives me insight into when a particular CNA is always complaining about how overworked they are - and I can clearly see that they aren't. It bothers me when I see nurses sitting and talking at the desk, call lights are going off, and they don't even make a move to answer them - they just wait for the CNA to do it.

allnurses Guide · Aug 10, 2005

I don't think it's necessary. There is nothing I do as a nurse in my unit that I would have done as a CNA. I respect a great CNA and they are worth their weight in gold, but it isn't something I'd want to do for long either.

I agree that I didn't think it was necessary and so did not do the CNA class as some of my fellow students did. I had no medical background and was intimidated at first but I soon got over it with practice assessing my patients. Just the same as a new student in a CNA class would be intimidated or scared or nervous - they would get over it as the class went on. I didn't see the need to take a class like that when the first things you are taught in nursing school is CNA tasks. And most of the stuff you do for your patients is CNA tasks.

I also agree that our CNA's are worth their weight in gold and we all work as a team.

I also think, that while what the CNA does is honorable work, I would also be bored if that is what I did all day.

There is nothing wrong with admitting that.

Bored doesn't equal putting someone's profession down.

steph

krob0729 · Aug 11, 2005

I have mixed feelings. I was a CNA at the very beginning...that is what made me choose the nursing field--the direct care of patients especially the changing of briefs etc...taught me enormous respect and patience for other people, especially the elderly. At the same time, it was difficult for me because I wanted to help so badly and we had some difficult nurses at our center that slept through their shifts and I had to wake them up for rounds and meds. I looked at the situation deeply and chose to be an RN because I wanted to help even more- and I just love paperwork *is that scary?does anyone else like that?* SO I think it is very important for both parties to contribute. The role of a CNA is so very important, especially to those patients who are lonely and ring their call bells just to talk. I hope that I can be the kind of nurse who will be attentive to my patients and to my CNA's.[/quote']
i feel like i'm reading my own post...i was a CNA before I ever wanted to be a nurse. Had a bad Charge N that didn't give a crap, thus my decision to become a nurse and take her spot one day :rotfl: Yes, I love the paperwork..lol.. I thank my CNA's every morning when I leave for all of their help. There are still those that try to put one over on u though and u have to do your job and act accordingly (write-ups) I hate doing those, but I gotta CMOA. What tickles me is when I work with one that doesn't know I was one for years, and she tries to tell me that so and so isn't or is her responsibility or how to do certain tasks. They learn real quick that I'm no dummy. But I do love and respect them when THEY allow me to.

smk1, LPN · Aug 11, 2005

well my perspective as a recently certified (but non-working) CNA, is that it may be somewhat beneficial, however should in no way be required as it now is at the nursing schools in my area. (one more hoop for us to jump through). I would be bored too if the tasks that we did in clinicals were all that i did all day every day. This is not a put down. I was bored being a bank teller as well. Too much repetition and i like solving a puzzle, and challenging myself. I loved being a health aid in the school nurses office because of the variety. I have no problem with the dirty work,( i was a registered nursing assistant in an assitant living for a year) and being a bit of a control freak, will probably end up wanting to do some of the ADL's myself so that I know they are done. I hopefully will be selected for the RN program to start spring 2006 at my school. Perhaps my thoughts will change, but I don't necessarily think that not wanting to do "CNA work" all day is a put down. After all if that is what a person wanted to do then the course is only 1 month and costs about 600 dollars, instead of the 2-4 years and thousands it will cost to be a nurse. However if this is a case where the nurse just won't do any "dirty work" that is wrong, completely unethical and just down right mean.

GenaRN · Aug 11, 2005

Because I have been a nurse for several years and I do "dirty work" every day- does she work in an OR or Cath Lab, because patient care outside of places like that is "dirty" for everybody.

Hello All~
I've noticed that a lot of people on here recomend being a CNA for anyone who is interested in becoming a nurse. I was talking with my cousin, who is an RN, and she said she would have never been a CNA but she loves being a nurse - that CNA was just to boring and to much 'dirty work.' Just wondering how many RN's out there feel this way.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2005

Just because you weren't a CNA doesn't mean you're going to be less of a nurse. I think it's an incredibly valuable experience. Yes, you learn basic nursing skills, but that's not the valuable part. The very most important things I've learned are:

1. Time management.

2. How to prioritize.

3. Roll with the punches. It doesn't matter what kind of day it is or how well staffed you are, SOMETHING will inevitably go wrong, and having an everloving freaking cow does not help.

4. Pick your battles. There is ALWAYS something to get angry about. If it doesn't affect patient care, it's probably not worth fighting about.

And that is important whether you are a CNA or the DON.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 11, 2005

its all "dirty" work----RN, LPN CNA....we all get down and dirty in our work in direct patient care....

but I did not want to be a CNA either. Just had no desire. I went directly to RN school. NO regrets at all.

SierraC · Aug 11, 2005

its all "dirty" work----RN, LPN CNA....we all get down and dirty in our work in direct patient care....
but I did not want to be a CNA either. Just had no desire. I went directly to RN school. NO regrets at all.

Was a CNA for many years before completing my RN...i did not consider it a bad or demeaning job...i had the oppurtunity to work really close with my patients and the nursing staff was open to my observations and opinions regarding pt care. I do remember however...working in a close observation unit ...sometimes i was the only CNA there..and asking the nurses for help while they were trying to pass meds....UGH..now i think back at that and realize why they told me to wait or if they didnt and stopped and helped me...wow...i guess we are all just focused on our roles ....and you can't really understand anyone till you walk for awhile in their shoes...

Startnover · Aug 11, 2005

As I have been researching possibly starting an LVN course, in California, I am finding that most require CNA training as a "prerequisite". Is that not the case in other places?

sun_chica · Aug 13, 2005

I chose to be a unit secretary in an ED....loved it!!!

My mom was a NA years ago, & recommened to be the clerk, not CNA. I now recommend to everybody to work at least a few months as a CNA. Been an RN for 1.5yrs - don't like it... if I was an aid I never would have gone for it. The ED is a different atmosphere (started while in 2nd clinical rotation, so I helped w/ pt care, procedures, & transport daily). Decided, I don't really want to work in ED environment, but Tele is definitely not for me.

Only places I think I may enjoy they want experience & having trouble getting my foot in the door. I like the hospital I work for, just not PCU...I'd like to try LDRP or OR:) So far, I'm looking into different Bachelor degrees to complete, outside the nursing arena!

.... sorry, I'm rambling, rough week at work:o

Love the unit secretaries & CNA's...w/o them we'd never get done 1/2 the things we need to do...paperwork, meds, assessments, etc.... thank them everyday!

oldnurse newnurse · Aug 14, 2005

I am with fergus51 I love a good CNA but I was one before I became a nurse and I didn't last 3months. On my unit nurses don't have to do CNA work either and I will never work in a facility where I had to either. It IS TOO MUCH DIRTY WORK INVOLVED FOR ME!!!!! Not trying to offend anyone, it may be good for some light background but it was not for me. Also at mt job CNA's do the usual and do blood glucose testing, gtube dressings and feedings, they even insert foleys so I don't do the same as a CNA and pass meds. Also here in Illinois they are trying to pass a law that a CNA can administer meds??? Food for thought hunh? The article said nurses will have more time for assessing and documentation of their patients rather than passing meds. all day or for the most of it.