A CNA is quite simply a Certified Nursing Assistant. It seems like CNAs and nurses always seem to have something of a love hate relationship with each other. This is unfortunate because both of these professions depend on each other. As a direct result of that fact, CNAs depend on nurses on a more personal level, just as nurses depend on them. The truth is, CNAs would not have a job if it were not for the presence of the nurses. By the same token, a nurse’s job would become much more difficult and their schedule would be far more hectic if it were not for the presence of the CNA.
Essentially, a CNA is there to help make the nurse’s job easier. Nurses are expected to deal with a myriad of problems and issues related to the patients that they are taking care of. They have to deal with the onset of new symptoms or continue to manage the symptoms the patient has been experiencing for quite some time. Therefore, they are required to follow doctor’s orders, hand out medications and communicate effectively with physicians when the condition of the patient changes. In many cases, a nurse has to play detective in order to figure out what is going on with a patient so that this information can be effectively communicated to the doctor. This means that they really don’t have much time for the more mundane tasks like ensuring that a patient makes it to the bathroom on time or changing the sheets on the bed. This is where the CNA comes in.
Unfortunately, the job of a CNA can often be a thankless one. The pay is relatively low and in some cases, they are not treated with the respect they deserve. This is where a great deal of friction between the two often comes in. In a perfect world, everyone would be respectful of the other individual and would realize that each job function is necessary in order for things to flow smoothly (read more here). However, that is not always the case. The best solution is for CNAs to do everything in their power to help nurses understand that they are there to do their job right and they don’t even need to be told what to do once they have developed their skills to a certain level. This in turn fosters cooperation between nurses and CNAs. In reality, the relationship between the two is vitally important and the best thing that the other party can do is work well with everyone involved.
AMY LOU 