What do nurses really think of CNAs?

Nurses General Nursing

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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.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I worked as a CNA for some time before I became an LPN. It was hard, backbreaking work. Now, that I am an LPN, I have to say that I do agree with some of the other posters...I hate when they do not understand when I really can't help them. We have paralell functions, then, we have different functions. I have a head nurse that will scream at me if I don't pass my medications in a timely fashion. I can't stop to help them wash a patient and then move them because that may take as long as 1/2 hour or more. I have told my old peers that I'll help them move the client once they are cleaned up, and some of them got pissed off. I do have to prioritize my day, and it gets to me when some don't understand that.

I, too, appreciate the ones that come to me and say that the vitals are done, the patient is clean, take urine samples and tell me that there is something wrong with a patient so that I can respond in a timely fashion. I think that now that I am a nurse, I have learned to appreciate a good CNA even more than ever.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Actually, what I think they should do is have CNA Appreciation Day or Week, the same as they do for nurses. Praise them for the good things, post some of the best things they have done, and show them how they contribute to patient care and nursing.

Actually, what I think they should do is have CNA Appreciation Day or Week, the same as they do for nurses. Praise them for the good things, post some of the best things they have done, and show them how they contribute to patient care and nursing.

YES!! Also, give them a raise!:balloons:

CNA's are the backbone of the LTC facility. If we gave them the respect they deserved, I bet nurses would have less complaints about their CNA's.CNA work is hard backbreaking , grueling work.The pay is an insult to the value of their work.I have heard from families in LTC facilites that they wish the CNA's were paid more, they do so much for their loved one and are so under appreciated by some nurses and management. I heard from the lips of CNA's over and over again over the years, "I am not their child!" when reffering to how disrespectully they have been talked to by some nurses and management.No one who works in any field is perfect,but also no one wants to be disciplined in a demeaning , disrespectful manner,which is pervasive in LTC.

Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.

The CNA I worked with last night 7p-11p on Tele was awesome!!!!! I had a septic, unresponsive LOL who needed turning q2h. I'm used to having to initiate turnings myself, but this gal was on top of it and already had her on a schedule. She gave her a bath, and even put lotion on her and brushed her hair because the daughter had said that her mom would hate to be in that state. We didn't know if the lady would come out of it or not, but by 7 am the pt was calling out to the hallway and asking for water. ;) I've never been so happy to hear a LOL calling out and complaining in my whole career!

A good CNA who cares about her patients and lets me know when something is "off" is worth her weight in gold.

Specializes in LTC.

I feel you on this - I was a CNA for 12 years before getting tired of feeling that I could do a better job than the nurses that I worked with - so i went to Nursing school... I have been a nurse now for 15 years ! And now i know it's not about the CNAs or the nurses it is the person. There are sorry nurse's, CMAs, and CNA's out here and it all comes down to if you really love working with the elderly and disabled ie then you will make a good LTC nurse, CNA, CMA - if not go flip burgers. And I know it has been said many times before but the nurse aides are the back bone of the Long Term Care facilities. CM

If a CNA does his/her job efficiently then there should not be a problem. The nurse is dependant on the observations of the CNA. and in my opinion should be greatful for a job well done!! Be the best that you can be and you will gain the rewards that you so greatly deserve:kiss

Specializes in ICU. Med/Surg: Ortho, Neuro, & Cardiac.

Just lurking around this topic and I have something I want to say.

I've been a CNA for about 3 years now, at the same facility, working ortho med/surg with special training in joint replacements.

Anyways, I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for the kind words about CNAs. And as for the ones who don't do their job, disappear, or are sloppy in how they work--they make life rough for US as well as you guys. I hate having to clean up after people and constantly round on patients that don't belong to me because the other aide working with me is in the breakroom eating and reading a magazine all night.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hell, I'm not going to read 8 pages of responses because I already know the answer.

What do nurses think really think about CNAs? We think they are SUPER COOL! :loveya:

The real question is, what do CNAs really think about nurses? :lghmky:

(What a crazy topic...)

Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.

  • CNA's are great! Im not just saying that because i used to be one either. In LTC, the nurse is so overloaded with pts that the eyes of the CNA become the eyes of the nurse. Without them, the quality of the nurse would be reduced!

I haven't met one yet that I didn't like, but reading magazines out on the floor just REALLY grinds my gears. If you're going to do that, please . . .don't do it in front of ME.

I like CNA's who see the importance of getting regular VS. I appreciate it when they clean up pts a lot, but getting the vitals ...I mean, as an RN, I get in BIG trouble if those aren't done -- and things can change with patients in a hearbeat -- so CNA's who are on this are GREAT in my book.

I wish all CNA's would know how valuable they are, how great the experience is that they are getting -- that they can teach us new RN's so much -- and that someday they can also be RN's with the right education. I look less kindly on those who see it as just "some job" and who want to be smart mouthed or lazy -- I mean -- what a waste.

And to those who seem to have a bit of jealousy of the RN's -- well, come on -- go to school yourself, put in the time and the sweat -- and become an RN. Grow up and learn to appreciate those who put in the time and did the hard work to go to nursing school. You can do it, too -- it's a free country.

We just had one who left our unit who is in med school herself -- she was awesome and I am going to be crying on shifts w/o her there. I just really had respect for her as someone who was willing to learn the ropes from the ground up. Someday she will be a doc who "understands" what nurses do. Is'nt that cool?

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