What CNA to RN, "now I understand" realization have you had?

Davey Do · Jan 18, 2021

As an LPN in 1989, I saw that I made $8.99/hr and as an RN in 1990 I saw that I made $12.35/hr.

I said, "Now I understand why I became an RN!"

DesiDani · Jan 20, 2021

That's low for an RN, but it was 1990. That still seems pretty low

ChickenHealer · Jan 20, 2021

Wow, that seems so weird to me that wages changed so much in a short time!

Almost an RN, but one thing that I see now, is the mountain of paperwork that comes alongside most simple tasks/events. I never realized it when I first started as a tech.

DesiDani · Jan 20, 2021

I'm aware of some differences since my mom was an RN. Ex: she says some things are time related and it MUST be entered into the chart, it can't be late. So she may not have time to help the CNA do something.

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 20, 2021

I was a CNA for four years. Life at work was simpler then. Work involved getting tasks done for all the patients in an efficient way. The day started with vital signs- begin with the first room and continue in order until done. Hand out breakfast trays, set up and feed patients who need assistance. Life was about the tasks. I worked hard for my 4$/hr, but I didn't carry the mental and emotional burden I would have to carry as a nurse. The mental load is invisible to outsiders.

The RN still has the tasks. They are what we do to help get the patient moving towards better health. But there is a whole other mental and emotional dimension. As a nurse, I do things for the patients with goals in mind. I need to try to keep them moving forward. Patients are seen in a particular order depending on how sick they are. My priorities are frequently being reshuffled and interruptions are many. As a nurse, I am aware of how much responsibility I carry, and some times judge myself harshly when I fail to live up to how I believe I should be. This in an anxiety-making position. The charting is a big part of what I do and it is not optional. Computer charting has actually made this task more time-consuming.

Davey Do · Jan 20, 2021

2 hours ago, RNperdiem said:

Computer charting has actually made this task more time-consuming.

Truer words have not been written.

Good post, RNperdiem!

JadedCPN, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2021

I agree with others in regards to the charting being so time consuming. I remember as a CNA we would think some nurses were just being lazy always on the computer, but I realized when I became a nurse that the majority of it had to do with documentation.

As another poster mentioned I also realized the huge difference in responsibility. As a CNA it was just task-focused and a lot of work due to the sheer volume of patients. Even though nurses have smaller patient loads, it is so much m ore in depth with a huge responsibility that is sometimes life or death.

Finally, I realized (although I knew before) and gained a newfound respect for my CNAs and the important role they play.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2021

I precepted an RN that had been a CNA on my unit for 4 years. She was an amazing CNA (and is now an amazing nurse!!). After 2 shifts, she said to me, when we were discussing the day, I can't believe how much you have to keep track of!! I had no idea.

She explained that when she did VS and there was a low, or high, or just something "off", she would tell me or whoever the nurse was and that was it. Now it was HER job to follow up and make sure the pt was OK. She said it was very different to keep track of everything in her head that she needed to be aware of (pain, meds, wounds, etc).

It was nice to hear. Many of the CNAs think nurses don't "do" anything and RNs think CNAs are lazy. I was a CNA and I have the most respect for them. They are the ones that might know more things about a pt.

I love working with her, and most of the CNAs on my unit.

It's hard to keep the good ones-except it's OK if they go to nursing school and come back as nurses ❤️