babyboo72, congratulations on your new position..And also for your future plans..I hope and pray that your reached you desire level of nursing.. I understand all of the c/o of this forum, but if every one just did their jobs, the pettiest of this forum would stop. Remember, we allwent into this position to take care of the sick... Teresa

Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have much respect for CNAs, I was one before becoming a LPN!!!!!!!! Take my word for it, all members of the healthcare team are much appreciated and needed- nurses can't get their work done without CNAs that do their jobs!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd like to say to all CNAs you're very much a member of the healthcare team and all this BUNK about titles is truly fraying my 12 cranial nerves!!!!!

My name is Shonna or 09157238!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wasn't knocking anyone. I stated that I felt all were valuable contributors to the healthcare team. However call a name by a name. If you are not an RN you shouldn't let anyone give you the title of one! I agree that if it wasn't for the lower jobs on the totem pole the nurses would have it hard, but not all of the low on the pole are good! I am not just talking to talk either, I have been a CNA so I know the ins and outs of it. I also know that the ones that scream the loudest that they are the best are usually being complained about! The best don't know they are the best and it takes a lot to convince them they are! I also know there are many RN's that carry the title when they don't really derserve to. If it wasn't for Good MA's and CNA's they would lose their jobs for sure!  As for the statement of being a CNA first, in my area you CANNOT become an RN or LPN without being either a CNA, EMT, or MA FIRST!!!!!!!!! I like this rule! I think everyone should know what the entire totem pole consists of =)

Hello everyone!

I have been in the medical field since 1982. I got a CNA /CHHA while I was in high school and then a Medical assistant AA degree in 1985. Many Diplomas and certifications later and I was training new grad RN's to work on the floor after they had only  learned textbook material. Being in the Medical and Nursing field has different levels. It is very important to understand that and to never practice above your scope of practice. With that being said and now with my BS Degree in Health Care Administration and a Masters in Health Care Administration plus over 30 years experience in the Medical field. I can honestly say every level of nursing is nursing. A CNA is a nurse, an LVN is a nurse and an RN is a nurse! All on a different hierarchy!  So not all RN's are created equal, some have very high egos and treat lower level nursing staff really poorly.. Sorry to say that there are quite a few like this. When I was taught to be a CNA/CHHA I was taught to have respect for all and was being groomed to move up to RN.  Everyone back then worn white uniforms and caps very old school! I have a lot of respect for those RN's that taught me.  I was also trained back in the day for a year before being Certified.. So for any of you who are reading this and you are an RN! CNA's are nursing staff too and deserve to be treated with as much respect as you do. Without lower level nursing staff or ancillary help you couldn't do your job as well!!! You can address these lower level nursing staff as your assistant when you enter the room. That is differentiation enough for the patient!! Other issues should be addressed separately and with the person individually..  Explaining how you feel! Working in the Medical field requires a lot of give n take with personel and sometimes a person will be sacrificed when helping a patient, but everyone deserves respect on every level! Get rid of your ego's we know you worked hard for your RN and you should be called an RN! Be an example and encouage others to continue to your level, shunning them is a horrible way to work and practice!

 I went to school for CNA but I haven't worked as one yet I decided I rather go to school for LPN but right now I'm  in school for phlebotomy, anyway I don't think Cna's should have to correct patients everytime they call them a nurse that seem a little ridiculous. When you sign up for school CNA is under the cateogory of nursing they just have different duties and certain things they can't do but LPN's and RN's shouldn't look down on them just because their in a higher position, to my understanding CNA's do the work that LPN's and RN's dont want to do like wipe butt not saying that LPN's and RN's don't do it but thats what CNA's are for so I think everyone else should appreciate the jobs CNA's do and do their own job and stop worrying about what CNA's consider themselves as. Everyone needs to know their place and their scope of practice simple as that.

Please allow me to edit this post if you feel its not appropriate but I think it is. 

Thanks

 i hate how nurses who never worked as a cna have no respect for all the hardwork we do as cnas. i personally work twelve hours a day, and i can always tell when one of the nurses has never  been a cna because she will have a snooty air about her. where would you high mighty nurses be without aides? no, we arent nurses. but we do a lot that goes unappreciated. someday, when i become an rn as soon as i can find a way into college, ill always remember to respect my nurse aides, because ill always remember what its like. take a walk in our shoes before passing such hard judgement on us. 

 First off, I hate to hear a CNA, CMA,RMA, MA whichever you are say " I am JUST a Aide. Hold on, and wait one minute. Without you the "Nurses" that so gladly take most of the recognition for ALL of the dirty work would not have such great days. I am not trying to underestimate the fact Most all R.N.'s that I know are pretty nice, caring, and good at what thry do. Alott of education required there! BUT for the mostpart the LVN's in which i have worked either under or with have this TITLE FEVER as i like to call it. It takes all of 1 yr. To complete lvn course so why do they have to Big Head around as if any aide is so beneath them, and knows nothing. Where i live it takes right at 2 yrs to be a Registered Medical Assistant. If someone needs CPR @ work, am i going to say excuse me I am not a nurse, even though i could help to save your life, we will wait for the Vocational nurse to save it???? WTH! I have worked for 2seperate doctors who themselves referred to ME as their nurse to their patients. A nurse is someone whom cares for the health and saftey of others. If my mom is nursing me when i am sick does she need to state her title in healthcare field to do so? Get over yourselves!!! We get it we know what your titles are! If we dont we do know that U will be quick to tell us!