Spinoff From "Don't Be That Nurse"

[mirandaaa]

After reading that post, it really got me thinking abut the nurses that I've worked with in the past and my experiences with them.

There was another post elsewhere on this site asking if being a CNA should be a requirement to get into the nursing program and I 100% feel that it should.

It's crazy how many nurses I've worked with that feel are "too good" to do "CNA work."

"CNA work" translates to "anyone certified to help needs to help when possible work."

I can't count the number of times when I've been busting my butt trying to get 80 things done at "rush hour" time at 7:30p (or 5:30a) and having 5 lights going off, someone on the floor, a separate alarm going off, pass waters, pass towels, change someone who needs it, toilet someone who needs it, dress people for bed/for the day, get the people who follow a schedule ready when they need it and various other crazy things and the nurse doesn't offer to help.

I've had times where I've had all of these things going on, and the nurse would hunt me down to tell me that so-and-so wants some water and to "please get some for them when you're done."

It's moments like that that make me nearly lose my marbles.

Now, I understand that the nurse has their own duties and things to do, but is it really too hard to help your aide with a few little things when you can tell the hall is nuts?

I always seem to have issues with unhelpful nurses when they were not a CNA/CMA before they became a nurse, but all of the nurses I've worked with who HAVE been a CNA/CMA were so helpful and easy to work with.

What are your opinions?

Should nurses be CNA's first?

What experiences have you had? (Please omit any names and/or facilities so as to not get anyone in trouble.)

[FlyingScot, RN]

Mirandaaa, I'm sure you have had some really bad experiences where you were treated in a completely unacceptable fashion but do we really need an entire thread of stories about rotten nurses? What good would it serve?

[mirandaaa]

Mirandaaa, I'm sure you have had some really bad experiences where you were treated in a completely unacceptable fashion but do we really need an entire thread of stories about rotten nurses? What good would it serve?

It isn't an entire thread meant to be about rotten nurses. I think we can all agree there are both terrible nurses and great nurses.

I'm not bashing nurses, nor is that the purpose of this post. I asked to omit names/facilities in case anyone does have a story to contribute.

I'm just curious if other CNA's feel the same way or if they've had similar experiences from nurses with/without being a CNA prior to becoming a nurse.

There is a similar post directed towards nurses (of course almost all of them say they shouldn't be a CNA first) and I wanted this question to be directed towards the CNA's as well.

Two sides of the spectrum, two different perspectives.

[AJJKRN]

I just want to say that this is a two way street and I have driven on both sides...

[hookyarnandblanket]

I don't believe that previous experience as a CNA makes a nurse more helpful. I've had nurses who were CNAs before becoming a nurse tell me that toileting patients is no longer part of their scope of practice. It upsets me to see someone, CNA, nurse, or otherwise, refuse to help a patient with something as basic and necessary as toileting or getting them a drink. It's a matter of lacking in humanity, compassion, and empathy. One day, if we are all lucky enough to become elderly, we are going to need someone to help us with activities we could do in our youth. It's about being a decent human being, no matter what letters come after your last name.

[Hygiene Queen]

I just want to say that this is a two way street and I have driven on both sides...

So many nurses have driven on both sides of the street, but some CNA's-- who have only driven down the one side-- insist they are kings of the whole damn road

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I was never a CNA before nursing, and I agree it would have been helpful. I hope it's never required, though, because I made a lot more money as a food server than I would have as a CNA, and I needed that money to pay my nursing school tuition.

[cocoa_puff]

I personally think being a CNA prior to becoming a nurse can be helpful because it would give you experience in patient care. In fundamentals, you would already know some of the skills (bed baths, transferring, toileting) and could focus on the nursing aspects that you're learning. Time management skills are another plus of being a CNA.

It's more of an individual decision, I decided to work as a caregiver before nursing school and I do not regret it at all! I learned so much and I no longer have a fear of any body fluids! It was also easier for me to connect and apply what I had learned in nursing school since I had already seen some of it as a caregiver.

The bad part of working as a CNA and going to nursing school is that you can pick up "habits" that your nursing instructors may not like. I would recommend working as a CNA or caregiver before nursing school to see how you like it. Even if you don't like being a CNA, you can still be a great nurse because nursing is very different than being a CNA, even though nurses still can and should be willing to do all the things CNAs do.

However, I do not think that being a CNA makes you a better nurse. I think it's great experience, but I don't think it should be required prior to becoming a nurse. There are a lot of factors that make a good nurse, which may or may not include being a CNA first.

[pixiestudent2]

But why do you think you know what's best for nursing education when you're not a nurse?

[SeattleJess]

I don't believe that previous experience as a CNA makes a nurse more helpful. I've had nurses who were CNAs before becoming a nurse tell me that toileting patients is no longer part of their scope of practice. It upsets me to see someone, CNA, nurse, or otherwise, refuse to help a patient with something as basic and necessary as toileting or getting them a drink. It's a matter of lacking in humanity, compassion, and empathy. One day, if we are all lucky enough to become elderly, we are going to need someone to help us with activities we could do in our youth. It's about being a decent human being, no matter what letters come after your last name.

This is so compassionate and correct, in my experience, that I can't do better than to quote. I'm only a nursing student now but I was a CNA for three months before starting nursing school. The nurses who were team players stuck out like diamonds in a compost pile and I took them for my role models. What they showed me is: When a patient is hurting and needs help, let me be there.

hookyarnandblanket said the true words: be a decent human being.

[Nibbles1]

I was a CNA as I went to nursing school. I never disrespected my nurses. When I was working in a LTC the cnas were beyond rude. They ran that nursing home into the ground.

Having CNA experience gave me an edge in nursing school. I wished some of my classmates would have been CNAs first. It would have weeded out those lazy"I'm not cleaning up poo" nurses. And I worked with a coworker who was a CNA and I told her flat out she shouldn't be a nurse. Guess what? She is the laziest know it all nurse too. So it goes both ways.

[JMCP]

When i was a cna studying to become an rn, i worked at a small hospital. Omg i couldnt tell you how horrible some of my rn's were. We use to call them the island group/trifecta+2... All only spoke across the hall in tagalog and refused to help. You knew if you had all four, you were going to work like a mule the entire twelve hours. Omg, and to top it off, they would watch you working hard and they would be on their facebook.

So tired of that and glad i left that hospital. I hated working with them. As people they were so nice. Just horrible workers.