Nurses who don't treat CNAs fair :(

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Specializes in Cardiology.

Disclaimer: I know all nurses are not like that!!

I started working at an LTC facility a month ago and it's a very rough job. Just even being here for a month, the turnover rate is ridiculous and so many CNAs are quitting. One thing I noticed though is the nurses don't help out with anything. I'm currently in nursing school and I'm in complete shock at how it's the first time I've seen some nurses not even bother to answer a call bell, delegate tasks to CNAs while they were just in the room, sitting at the desk just chatting and not bothering to help a patient who is right in front of you asking for help. I might just be a bit naive but is this usually how it goes in LTC facilities? I just couldn't do that as a nurse. Plus along with the fact each CNA has 10-11 patients to themselves who they have to get up, groom, bathe, dress, feed, etc. in a matter of 4.5 hours. I'm just in shock and disgust...especially since they are elderly. I'm actually looking for another job right now because the environment at this LTC s just toxic. I don't even call them nurses. All I see them do is pass medication, chart, and have their daily social chit chat. I can't even ask a nurse to help me transfer a patient to a chair....=/ We have had CNAs who would call out their shift and instead of the nurses even just taking one patient each, all of us get an extra 3 patients added to our workload. Am I in the wrong for thinking this is not right? I seriously feel I can't even properly give adequate care to the patients because if I don't get everyone done in time, I get yelled at and have to stay over my shift. I just...can't believe how multiple call bells would be going off...and none of the nurses would move.....Like you can't put someone on a bedpan or just change their pants? You make them wait....Oh but when state is around.......

Also do you think it would look bad if I do find a job after two months of working there and just give my two week notice for leave?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Nurses usually have 30 patients (60 on night shift) to give meds and treatments to and document, and if not a treatment or at least a "desk nurse" or supervisor to take off orders; add that on too of EVERYTHING ELSE vs the 10-11 pts that CNAs receive to do total care to some of these pts, including showering, feeding, and rounding for bathroom times.

Both positions in LTC and very involved and heavy; however, if a nurses work doesn't get done, who's going to do it???

I've been a CNA, LPN, and RN in LTC; you have the ability to get to know your hallway, give meds and treatments and still give good care; it's about having a system in place in terms if what needs to be done safely in a timely manner, within REASON.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can't help the RN pass her meds or chart or do her work....so why should she be taking patients and doing your work? There's delegation for a reason.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

You will get much farther by doing your job the best you can and not worrying about if others are doing theirs, or doing less than you.

And remember your experience when you are on the other side.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is how it was when I was an RN in LTC. I did my best to help CNAs, but CNAs don't see how much is involved on the RN side. We are often leaving work late too. And when we do have a spare moment yes, we may sit a talk for a bit

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology.

So you guys are telling me that a nurse who is just sitting at the nurses station doing nothing should call other cnas to answer a call bell that is right in front them when the cnas are mid bath or mid feeding a patient? Even if they just need a bed pan or some water etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The nurses are not obligated to help you with your responsibilities. In the facilities I've worked in, anyone can get in trouble for not answering a light when they walk past it, but I'm not sure if that is the same in your facility. Here is some advice that I learned as a CNA: Do not worry about what your coworkers are doing, unless they are clearly abusing/neglecting patients. If the nurses are sitting there having a blast, that's on them. If you ask nicely, they may help you. Most nurses I've worked with will help me if I help them.

I am limited in how I can help them, but you learn what they like. It can be emptying the trash on their med cart, or refilling their water pitcher for passing meds. Keeping their medicine cups, and water cups replenished. Most places I've worked, if they see me rushing around, they'll even find my vitals sheet and help me chart it if they can.

Call lights going off during feeding may mean a need for help toileting. If you're feeding a Resident and lights are going off, that should take priority. If you are already toileting a Resident and they are a fall risk, then obviously don't answer. They can't complain if you are toileting someone and are not answering lights due to safety.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
The nurses are not obligated to help you with your responsibilities. In the facilities I've worked in, anyone can get in trouble for not answering a light when they walk past it, but I'm not sure if that is the same in your facility. Here is some advice that I learned as a CNA: Do not worry about what your coworkers are doing, unless they are clearly abusing/neglecting patients. If the nurses are sitting there having a blast, that's on them. If you ask nicely, they may help you. Most nurses I've worked with will help me if I help them.

I am limited in how I can help them, but you learn what they like. It can be emptying the trash on their med cart, or refilling their water pitcher for passing meds. Keeping their medicine cups, and water cups replenished. Most places I've worked, if they see me rushing around, they'll even find my vitals sheet and help me chart it if they can.

Call lights going off during feeding may mean a need for help toileting. If you're feeding a Resident and lights are going off, that should take priority. If you are already toileting a Resident and they are a fall risk, then obviously don't answer. They can't complain if you are toileting someone and are not answering lights due to safety.

All this, with the exception of maybe the feeding scenario. I cannot count how many times I found myself as the only aide in the dining room helping feed residents and three of my call lights going off at the same time. I could not according to my state regulations leave that dining room as long as there were residents who needed feeding assistance and were still eating. The other aides had to pick up the slack. I was lucky: I worked with nurses who would help you out. Even the DON and the ADON would helping you needed someone to help you. But, the thing is: They don't have to help. The administrator at my former facility expects nurses to answer lights too but when they have meds to pass for 20 patients, five treatments to give, and 10 blood sugars to check, plus all their charting, there is no way that's going to happen. The nurses were often leaving 2 hours after the aides left after shift just to get things done. Team work among the aides has to happen when you're short. Otherwise nothing will get done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm talking about feeding in the hallway for those that didn't make it to the dining room. I think we both agree there is a protocol.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm talking about feeding in the hallway for those that didn't make it to the dining room. I think we both agree there is a protocol.

Gotcha. Unfortunately, at the facility where I worked, we couldn't even do that. Once we were in a room with a resident, we couldn't leave them unless it was for supplies. There had been too many instances of residents getting left on toilets for long periods of time while an aide went off somewhere else. To say they had issues with staff is to say the least. I regularly got chewed out by the administrator for having red call lights when I could not leave a room.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unfortunately this goes on in hospitals as well, not just LTC. All I can say is when you are a nurse, remember this experience and be a better nurse than the ones you work with now!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Bumping this, because the OP described my situation exactly and asked questions that I, too need answered.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment