What makes a great CNA?

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2006

I have encouraged nurse aids who are in nursing school to ask questions. As far as taking vital signs, that is within the scope of nurse aid practice. The new-found excitement you have might have just caught your nurse off guard. Enthusiasm is not common right now in the nursing field...unfortunately...Glad to hear you are going to school, wonderful career. Make it work for you.

Answer to your question,An awesome nurse assistant is someone I can work with and I can trust with patient information. An awesome nurse assistant is someone who says "you need to look at this" and I drop what I am doing because I know it is something important.

ilostu12 · Jan 4, 2006

Your question is really two totally different issues. First you asking what makes a great CNA and second your asking if a CNA, that is going to nursing school, can tag along to watch and learn.

IMO a great CNA is someone who puts the residents before themselves at all times, and not just the residents they are assigned to but all of the residents on their floor or unit or how ever the facility is set up. A great CNA is someone who genuinely cares and wants to try to make a residents quality of life a little better each day they are there. I have seen CNA's take the time to help a resident to get a glass of water or clean him/her up and they were not assigned to that specific resident, its the little things that can make a big difference. I have seen CNA's give the absolute minimum amount of care because they are only there for a paycheck (I really love these types of CNA's, because I make their lives a living hell :angryfire ).

As to having a CNA tag along, we have several CNA's going to school where I'm at, and depending how far along they are in their classes, I try to take them along when I do treatments or assessments. I encourage them to ask questions, let them listen to breath sounds, heart sounds, take vitals, and when possible let them use the skills they have learned. Of course this is all done under close supervision and approval of the DON.

I really value the CNA's I work with, they are my eyes and ears, without them my job would be impossible.

allnurses Guide · Jan 4, 2006

:yeahthat:

My best CNA's are the ones who really keep their eyes open to problems such as bedsores, change in LOC, etc, and are prompt to let me know about such problems. I adore CNA's who tell me ASAP when I've got a vital sign that is out of whack, instead of not even telling me at all like one particular tech. :angryfire

I don't mind answering questions at all. :) I love to answer questions. I don't mind too much having someone observe me doing a procedure as long as it is not an IV stick. I'm TERRIBLE, to this day, at starting IV's and would just as soon not have anyone watch me while I'm doing it! I love techs that are willing to help with dressing changes and foley catheter insertions.

sun_chica · Jan 4, 2006

As previously stated, a GREAT CNA informs you abnormal vitals, if a pt looks like s**t, or change in LOC.

As for watching procedures, you should try & see as much as you can. I have no problem w/ a CNA observing. Sometimes, I prefer to have the assistance of a CNA - I hate putting foleys in... so to have an extra hand w/ positioning some patients makes all the differnce.

Good luck to you:)

grinnurse, RN · Jan 4, 2006

To me, a great CNA is one that truly cares about the pts they have and are striving to do their job to the best of their abilities. As someone previously stated, they go the "extra mile" for all pts-not just their own. They are not afraid to ask questions and show iniative to learn new things. They know when something ie., VS are out of wack and notify you or they inform you of a change in a pts condition so the RN can decide what to do next.

I would never turn down a CNAs request to learn a procedure, esp if they are continueing their education to become a nurse. I will ask them if they want to watch or help if it's something new or unusual. It hasn't been that long ago since I was a student too!! By asking to learn new things, I know that they take their jobs seriously and are in it for the pts and not the paycheck.

As far as the nurse that commented on the tools that you need to perform your job adequately sounds like they have one of those "Holier than thou" attitudes that gives nurses a "bad" name.

truern · Jan 4, 2006

Sounds like you already have what it takes to be a great CNA & nurse.....a "giant heart"

Plus a willingness and eagerness to learn and excel.....

GiantHeart21 · Jan 4, 2006

Thank you all sooo much for the replies.

ColdFusion · Jan 4, 2006

one of the nurses said that I had no reason to have these things as I am not a real nurse.

And she cared because..................???

Grrrrrr!

What a repellent, OBNOXIOUS attitude! :rolleyes:

Angels' · Jan 7, 2006

GiantHeart21 :)

:) :) I wish you the best in your nursing career :) :)

I have enjoyed reading through this thread, so many positive affirmations :)

A returning student,

Angels’