What do nurses really think of CNAs?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have been working as a CNA in a LTC facility for the past four years. I am posting on this forum, because I would like some feedback from nurses.

Recently at work, a survey was handed out to all the CNAs with a variety of different questions on it, to get our opinions on various job-related topics. We were encouraged to do this anonymously, so that Administration could get our true thoughts on these subject matters. After we all completed the survey and turned it in, the results were discussed with us in a meeting. If we chose to participate in a discussion, we could. If we chose to remain silent during the meeting, that was fine too. It was strictly voluntary.

One of the interesting things that I learned was an answer to one of the questions: "Do you think nurses appreciate CNAs?" The answer was an overwhelming "No".

But on the flip-side, the question was posed: "Do CNAs appreciate the nurses?" And the majority answered, "Yes".

I would like to get some nurses' opinions, on how they really feel about nursing assistants. I know that, at times, I have been belittled, spoken down to, been made to feel stupid, and referred to as: "Just a CNA", by some nurses. On the other hand, I have worked with some great nurses. They praised me on a good job done, and even helped me out, a time or two, when things were hectic.

Your TRUE opinion of nursing assistants, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Really appreciate this thread. Trying to figure out what makes a good CNA. I am trying to figure out what responsibilities take priority, when and what to report to the nurses.

what, for instance, are really red flags in vital signs in post op pts? I get different answers from different nurses, probably because different circumstances call for different guidelines....but is there any role of thumb?

Also, in a hospital, what constitutes a bath? I have some say I do too much of the bathing, then just the other day got called on not giving a bath soon enough. I was at the other end of the floor,and did not know the patient was incontinent. I feel badly if a nurse has to do the clean up work. also, getting all the vitals and documenting takes time too. I work constantly, and really dont want much down time, but still timing is every thing.

whew! I take alot of care doing the IandOs, but still managed not to empty one foley (very little urine) in time for 1400 total.

It takes a long time to get to the point where you can get everything done on time. I think time management and knowing what to report are the two most difficult things to learn as a CNA. It doesn't help either when you report something to a nurse they treat you like an imbecile for reporting it (this only happens rare occasions, but it happens.) Important rules of thumb are: 1. Have a thick skin, just because ONE nurse doesn't want to hear what you have to say doesn't mean it isn't important. 2. Don't let anyone be critical of you for doing "too much." These people most likely don't want you setting standard higher. 3. You'll never have your timing down perfect. Don't let little setbacks get you down.

Specializes in NICU.

I'm just a nursing student, but I thought I'd stick my head in anyway and give my two cents...

When I first started nursing school, I worked more closely with the CNAs, since I couldn't pass meds, chart assesments (although I did them) or do much RN work. So, I learned SO much from some CNAs! And I had no idea how much work it is to be a CNA, before I started nursing school. You guys have so many patients, and I was so overwhelmed at first with one or two! So, I definitely have respect for CNAs, we need you!

However...some of the people who have treated me very badly as a student have been CNAs. Once I started doing meds, and having other priorities, many of them didn't seem to understand that my priorities were not the same as theirs, and that I wasn't trying to be lazy if I delegated something to them, I just had so many other things to do now. Many of them treated me as if I was far beneath them...

I did try VERY hard to not to act as if I was above the CNAs, because I know I'm not! And I know that even when I'm an RN, I will not be "better" than the CNAs. I just wish that they could've shown me the same respect that I tried to show them.

Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.
one of the interesting things that i learned was an answer to one of the questions: "do you think nurses appreciate cnas?" the answer was an overwhelming "no".

but on the flip-side, the question was posed: "do cnas appreciate the nurses?" and the majority answered, "yes".

you know what? i bet if you did the same survey with the nurses, you would find similar results. that is, that the nurses appreciate the cnas, but that they don't think the cnas appreciate them.

it tends to go that way when you have a job that is demanding and keeps you really busy. you appreciate your coworkers, you know how much easier they make your job, but you just don't have time to show it.

a simple "thank you" doesn't always show just how much we appreciate each other, sometimes it seems automatic. sometimes it might even seem sarcastic -- you know, when the "thank you" comes with a tone of irritation. and if you're really busy, you might not even see each other to say thank you.

i'm currently an rn, but i've been a cna. yes, i think most of the nurses appreciated me back then. i don't directly work with cnas now, but i know that i appreciate all help, as long as they are actually working. those who sit and surf the internet, or talk on their cell phone, while others around them are working, arn't very appreciated. be it cna, secretary, or other nurses.

I just recently started working LTC and this is my first experience working with CNAS. Frankly, I'm a little uncomfortable. Those on my shift constantly thank me for doing anything that helps them in anyway. These CNAS are wonderful and have taught me more about what's going on at the facility than the other nurses. It makes me wonder what kind of nurses they are used to working with. On the flip side, one of my duties is to do the shift following mine's assignments. These aids are HORRIBLE to me. I finally had to submit a complaint after they made me cry the first time I did the assignemtn out of orientation. Now, they don't yell at me. They just say mean things without ever actually addressing me. If I ever was asked to work that shift, I'd turn them down flat!

Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.
i have been an stna for almost 9 years. all of the nurses i work with seem to praise me on how good of a job i do. i only have one rough spot in my area. the 2nd shift supervisor seems to like to give me the cold shoulder. i have never done anything to her and it just seems like i do nothing right in her eyes. i am only hopeing when i do become an lpn she will treat me with the same respect as I always treat her. any suggestions?

either you need to suck it up, be nice to her everyday, but to tell you honestly if you feel uncomfortable now? it may get worse and will never get better when you get that LPN license...Get outta there as fast as you can, move to another unit!:rotfl:

Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.

at first, it was really hard for me to ask my nurse aide to do something for me, like rechecking blood pressures..i was an aide too, for 8 years before getting my rn license. but now i really. really do appreciate the aides. i cannot imagine what its like to work without them, with all of our responsibilities, there is no way i can get my job done.

Specializes in trauma,ortho, neuro.

i've worked in LTC for 2 years and in an hospital for 6 years and i think the whole system is designed to make CNA's feel like they don't contribute or are not a part of the team . Your voice is not counted we have no representive in any council and the only time upper management associates with us is when JCAHO is coming andthey want to make sure we know what to say to them .there are those rays of sunlight called " good nurses" who show apperication so i think it all depends on your attitude, outlook, and feeling about what u do. There are some fab nurses out here the same way there are good tech/cna out her it's all a gamble.

Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

I used to work in a hospital. I no longer do, and I no longer have CNA (I have 'staff' I guess). Anyway, when I worked in the hospital, I saw how little CNAs were appreciated. It irked me. I was only a CNA for a brief amount of time. But it was long enough to know how hard their job is, and how little they get paid to do their job! The least we can do is show them respect and appreciation. So last Christmas I decided I was going to do something for the aides (which I did anonymously) and made Candles for all of them with a little note attached to say "I just want you to know you are appreciated" Nothing else. Imagine how upset I was when my boss took the credit (even though I had personally heard her say 'she's just a CNA' to a family member!)

I really don't care though, my point was made, and all the aides got a gift, and the little note attached. I no longer work there, wonder what the 'boss' will do this year to top her gift last year? lol

When I first worked as a nurse in LTC, I had the license but did not know how to dress a combative pt, get a 400 lber out of bed, etc. Everything practical I learned from CNA's. It is a very stupid nurse indeed who does not appreciate a good CNA. (I have worked with some bad ones, but they usually didn't last long). A really good CNA is worht her/his weight in gold!

Specializes in Cardiac, ER.
Thanks to all the people who replied to my recent post. I appreciate your honest opinions.

However, I have had nurses who have walked three hall lengths to tell me that a resident wanted some fresh water. It would have been quicker for the nurse to have gotten the water herself, from the machine which was located just around the corner. When I stated this fact, the nurse replied: "I didn't go to nursing school for two years just to pass water! That is a job for the PBWs!" (professional butt-wipers)"

At the hospital were I work,..they are PCA's = Patient Care Assistants,.they care for pt's, not nurses,..that said,..I could never do my job without you guys! We have a term for some of our new RN grads who develope "RN itis" usually shortly after orientation is over,..the Sx include saying phrases like "I'm the NURSE, I don't have to do that!" ,,"I'm the NURSE, that's not my job",.."I'm the NURSE, that's what your here for"....you get the idea,..well I'll tell you what I always tell them,.our PCA's spend way more time w/my pts than I do,..they have saved my butt on more than one occasion, if a PCA comes to me and says something is wrong w/ Mr Jones tonight,.I go check Mr Jones,..our PCA's are introduced, as often as possible, by the RN to the pt as "this is Janet, she will be your PCA tonight, if you need anything one of us will be happy to help you", We both put our first names on a board in the pt's room,..I'm very lucky to work w/ some great PCA's, we are all a team, working together to do the best pt care we can, I think the key is that they all love thier jobs,.not always everything about thier jobs, but truely love pt care,...usually the ones that aren't good PCA's only took the job because it was job,...don't think that works for anyone in the medical field, be it PCA, RN, DR, pharmacist, etc. If you love what you do, it will show and you will be good at it! I say a huge thankyou to anyone who does the job,..w/out you I would never make it!!!! THANKS :balloons: :monkeydance: :cheers:

Specializes in DD, Geriatrics, Neuro.

I have a lot of respect for my CNA's. I started out as a CNA. Some things I always tell the CNA's I work with: You can always ask me if you need help, and if I can do it, I will be there without a grumble. If you do your job right, I will back you up 100% (I stood up for one my aides when she was unfairly accused of neglect. I got it cleared off her company record. She was a jem of a CNA!). However, if you do things wrong or hurt someone, I will make sure you are taken to task for things.

I never have had a problem with 90% of the CNA's I have worked for. Now, there have been a couple I have reported, and I got one CNA fired for abuse. But like I said, the VAST majority of them are good people.

I couldn't do my job with out them!!

I work on a unit that uses team nursing. This means that on a team of 9 patients we have one team leader (always an RN) and a worker (usually an LPN but sometimes an RN). When I'm team leading, there is no one I appreciate more than the worker on my team, and there are many LPNs who I would rather work with than some of the other RNs. I always try to help out with vitals and baths and dressing changes, but since I'm a new grad and I'm still pretty slow doing meds and assessments, my worker usually takes the brunt of the workload, and I feel terrible about that.

Anyway, the point that I first intended to make was that some RNs have inferiority complexes from being bullied by MDs and senior nurses (who were bullied themselves). I think sometimes people take their frustrations out on who they perceive to be working "under them", which is terrible.

+ Add a Comment