[ChanceORiley27]

Originally Posted by LPN01112005

Ok, I did it. I worked as a CNA last evening/night with a resident load of 17 due to another unexpected CNA call out. I was also the supervisor on duty. I was able to get everyone changed, toileted and put to bed without any injuries to myself or the residents. I was NOT able to adhere to the turn schedule, and the residents did not get changed q2h. Nor was I able to spend enough time with the residents who required feeding to get them to eat more than a bite or two. The LPN was busy passing her medication and dealing with the behaviors. She simply didn't have time to assist me so we could have "fun" making sure the residents were properly cared for. Add to this the fact that I was still the supervisor on duty and had all those fires to put out too. Most notably, trying to find staff to cover the call outs for the overnight shift, however I was unsuccessful, so I had to stay until 4 a.m. As soon as I got home and got to sleep, I get a call....someone has called out for 7AM, they were already short, I need to come back in. This time to cover for a nurse who called out. Are you kidding me? Can one on call person be expected to cover for the entire facility?

There should be a limit to how much coverage you can provide. No one can be every where at once, and other managers should be helping cover if you've already covered and haven't had hardly any sleep. But, doing aide work gives nurses and insight as to how hard it is. Once you work nights and have to get up a resident yourself you cut your aides a little slack when once in a while they can only get up five out of the six residents they're assigned to.

[bcollins61]

I am an LPN. I graduated in 2006. Before I become an LPN I worked as a nurses aid then a CNA for 30 years and at age 46 I finaly became a nurse. I just started a new job at a LTC facility as an LPN Charge Nurse. But I am orienting as a CNA for three weeks , because for one they are short CNA's and also it will help me to get to know the residents needs and personalities. I think it is the best way to start a new job ,so when I take the cart to pass meds , I will Know who, what and how to administer meds and treatments .As far as the pay I am getting LPN wages. Where I am a new nurse my biggest prob is all the papper work, I have such a difficult time remembering how and what to write. so many forms !!!!!!! and doctors orders . and I am totally affraid to have to talk to a doctor . But I guess in time as a nurse I will get use to it . Sometimes the Doctors can be a little or a lot snappy . to end with I love working with the residents one on one . No matter whether you are an LPN ,RN, or a CNA the resident or patient care is all our jobs.

[Pipsqueak]

I have refused to do it when I was sent to a LTC facility thru my agency. Not because I didn't want to do the work and not because I "didn't know how" to. I can and often do perform duties that are regularly assigned to the CNA's. Yes I can do the job, but the bottom line is I have never worked as a CNA before and I know for a fact that I could never be as effective or manage my time in a manner to provide the appropriate care to ALL the residents in that 8 hr shift.....at least not without practice. So I politely declined as I felt the residents deserved someone more efficient.

[bcollins61]

My post earlier today was not ment to offend anyone!!!!! but if someone took it that way i am sorry but I did go back and read my post again and I dont think it was critical at all . I was just talking about myself and my prefrence.

[suespets]

not sure why you feel offended. there is nothing snarky in your blog .sue

[MentalRn]

I have filled in as a CNA/PCT several times when they can't find someone to do the job, and I don't mind. It pays the same.

[bcollins61]

Because a person sent me a copy of the reply post they made to my e-mail, and was very defensive about not working as a cna . I myself was not offended.

[PsychNurseWannaBe]

Originally Posted by bcollins61

Because a person sent me a copy of the reply post they made to my e-mail, and was very defensive about not working as a cna . I myself was not offended.

Someone PM'd you a reply? I was reading and saw that you apologized from the other post and there was only one post in between your two and the middle one didn't seem upset.

I didn't think your post was offensive.

[ChristineN]

I recall working on shift where I was supposed to be the lone aide for 37pts, and they asked a nurse if she'd mind being an aide. I loved it, not just because I had left work, but it was interesting because she had to admit after getting vitals on 20 pts, bathroom trips, call lights, and blood sugars, that this job is not as easy at it looks. It truly gave her a perspective about aide work.

BTW: I did have to "teach" her my job. The frightening thing about my old facility was RN's didn't know how to do blood sugars (I always argued what were they going to do it there's a code/suspected hypoglycemia and I'm not around?)

[bcollins61]

Thank you .... Maybe I took the post personal because it was sent to my contact e-mail address in addition to the reg post ,it was the one right my orig post.But thanks it was very nice of you .