Was I right?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

This morning, I was started with my AM care when the RN asked me to check vital signs on her patients (6 patienst) because the night staff had missed them, they were busy. Not a big deal. I was doing it when another UAP came running down the hall towards me, told me that if the RN "wanted vitals they can do them themselves, we have our own work to do now". I was floored. I told her that AM hygiene could wait 10 minutes whilst we made sure that the patients were OK. She replied that our "priority" was to finish helping people to get washed/showered. I told her my priority was to make sure that my patients were safe, and that I was following direction of an RN who was extremly busy at that time with one patient. She was *annoyed*. I think she assumed I wasn't coming to "help" her with her 2-assists. Geez! Since when do other NAs get to dictate what and when I will do?

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Well, I know I was right, I'm just venting.

This morning, I was started with my AM care when the RN asked me to check vital signs on her patients (6 patienst) because the night staff had missed them, they were busy. Not a big deal. I was doing it when another UAP came running down the hall towards me, told me that if the RN "wanted vitals they can do them themselves, we have our own work to do now". I was floored. I told her that AM hygiene could wait 10 minutes whilst we made sure that the patients were OK. She replied that our "priority" was to finish helping people to get washed/showered. I told her my priority was to make sure that my patients were safe, and that I was following direction of an RN who was extremly busy at that time with one patient. She was *annoyed*. I think she assumed I wasn't coming to "help" her with her 2-assists. Geez! Since when do other NAs get to dictate what and when I will do?

Do what your nurse says. If the necessary vitals were not done on the night shift, the priority is to get them done right away in the morning. The nurses rely on those vitals because there are some patients who are going to need blood pressure meds or whatever, based on the vitals. NA's do not dictate to ANYONE what and when things are to be done. I believe you did the right thing. Best thing to do is always back up your nurse, she will always be more willing to back you up if you need it.

Ummm....what's a UAP ??

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UAP usually means something along the line of "Unlicensed Assistive Personnel" - aides, techs, etc.

At any rate, I've worked with a few who think they call the shots and it absolutely drives me crazy. If you are not my supervisor, don't act like you are.

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Specializes in Student VN | Critical Care.
Do what your nurse says. If the necessary vitals were not done on the night shift, the priority is to get them done right away in the morning. The nurses rely on those vitals because there are some patients who are going to need blood pressure meds or whatever, based on the vitals. NA's do not dictate to ANYONE what and when things are to be done. I believe you did the right thing. Best thing to do is always back up your nurse, she will always be more willing to back you up if you need it.

Right on the dot.

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You were right.I hate when the aids act like they are in charge.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

v/s are way more important. You did well.

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The CNAs where I work are so bossy. I don't know what it is.

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The CNAs where I work are so bossy. I don't know what it is.

Same here. I don't know the RNs keep calm when a Nursing aide is arguing with them about their decisions. There are some so busy criticising the RNs/other aides that they get very little work done.

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i think you were right and it is more of a priority to get vitals done. As long as it's in the job description & following the protocol you should do what the nurse asks, but at my facility we're not allowed to do that only the nurses.

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