[tferdaise]

Its been interesting reading everybodies responses, and it seems we all have had some of the same problems. So lets hear of some ideas to get the CNAs to work closer with the nurses...

[JazzyRN]

There are bad apples in every bunch. There are techs that dont do their work and/or have attitudes when asked to do something. There are also nurses that sit back and instead of taking care of something themself, call a tech to do it when they are perfectly capable and have free time. I have seen both ends of the spectrum. From what I have seen from techs that dont do their work on the job, there is a lack of punitive action. People dont report them, dont call them on their actions and they continue to get away with what they are allowed to. Whats sad to me is that when the nurse is the one slacking, she really rarely ever has a tech stand up and ask why she isnt helping out. I have seen nurses try to intimidate techs with mentioning writing them up, to get them to do things that are unfair.What I hate the most is when I see a nurse go in to a pt room, see them soiled and walk out to page a tech to clean the pt up, while she sits down and checks email, meanwhile the tech is busy doing vitals on the floor or bathing someone else. Luckily most techs I work with are great and the ones that arent are allowed to be sub par by no one taking any action.

[mummyof3]

I have a great idea that will solve miscommunication between nurses and CNA's. TREAT EACH OTHER AS EQUALS. Because that was the biggest issue I saw. Also help them when you can. By the way not all CNA's don't have an education. I have a masters in computer science. I was a CNA because I had a calling to help people and wanted to know if this was a field I wanted to go into. I learned quickly that it was so I applied at nursing schools and was put on a list. So LPN school became the next option and that is why I went to it. I am currently still on the list in my state for RN school. I have found it tough to get into a nursing school when the school changes the entrance exams and then the way they will be choosing their students. Who ever heard of a nursing school lottery? But anyway I want everyone to know that you should never under estimate the CNA that is working with you. YOU MAY BE SHOCKED

[tferdaise]

Interesting comment but that doesn't mean much when you have CNAs who basically are racist, yes, you read that right. At my hospital on a certain floor, if you are white, do even think some of the CNAs well help you, its been well documented this happens. I really dislike being floated to that floor for that one reason... Yes, the director of the unit knows all too well the problem...

Originally Posted by mummyof3

I have a great idea that will solve miscommunication between nurses and CNA's. TREAT EACH OTHER AS EQUALS. Because that was the biggest issue I saw. Also help them when you can. By the way not all CNA's don't have an education. I have a masters in computer science. I was a CNA because I had a calling to help people and wanted to know if this was a field I wanted to go into. I learned quickly that it was so I applied at nursing schools and was put on a list. So LPN school became the next option and that is why I went to it. I am currently still on the list in my state for RN school. I have found it tough to get into a nursing school when the school changes the entrance exams and then the way they will be choosing their students. Who ever heard of a nursing school lottery? But anyway I want everyone to know that you should never under estimate the CNA that is working with you. YOU MAY BE SHOCKED

[mummyof3]

I have worked with some people who are like that. And my approach is WE both have a job to do. WE both have obligations to our patients. WE both have things that are expected of us. I help when I can and if I am tied up with something I do let the CNA know that is working with me that I need for the patients safety an extra pair of eyes on what and how my patients are doing. If I get a nasty look or an attitude as if there not going to do anything, I say to them that I do appreciate all the help in advance and that the patient and family does to. But I do understand where you are coming from when you just don't want to work on a certain floor because of the attitudes of some people. Just remember not to let them steal your joy........

[AR_RN]

Originally Posted by tferdaise

Interesting comment but that doesn't mean much when you have CNAs who basically are racist, yes, you read that right. At my hospital on a certain floor, if you are white, do even think some of the CNAs well help you, its been well documented this happens. I really dislike being floated to that floor for that one reason... Yes, the director of the unit knows all too well the problem...

I know that's got to be an awful situation to work in. It's too bad that people have to be like that sometimes. However, as you of course know, that's not a CNA/nurse issue. That shows up everywhere, unfortunately, and it could just as easily be the nurse or patient that is racist. I had an extremely racist patient on my floor the other night and the other tech was black and I'm not. She had a rough night thanks to him and I helped her out there as much as possible, but still it was nasty. I hate seeing people act like that, regardless of who they are.

[pagandeva2000]

Originally Posted by tferdaise

Interesting comment but that doesn't mean much when you have CNAs who basically are racist, yes, you read that right. At my hospital on a certain floor, if you are white, do even think some of the CNAs well help you, its been well documented this happens. I really dislike being floated to that floor for that one reason... Yes, the director of the unit knows all too well the problem...

In the Nursing Assistant Forum, I read a post once where a white CNA said she was really harassed by her Black co-workers. I don't remember all of the specifics, but I do recall her mentioning that even the nursing supervisors and DON were also bothering her simply because she is white. I think she quit but I'm not sure. I felt really bad for this woman. I am a Black woman, and would not condone or participate in mistreating someone else because they do not share my ethnicity.

I can believe it, though. And, I have seen and even experienced the flip side of it as an aide; some of the nurses used to speak to us as though we were idiots because we had two strikes; one we were CNAs and the other was that we were minorities-therefore they assumed that we were stupid. In most cases, once they were around me enough, they saw that I was articulate, but it was still insulting.

[talaxandra]

Originally Posted by chadash

Lately, I have been wondering about the use of nursing assistants in the hospital setting. Do you think it would benefit patients to have total care from a RN who has a lighter patient load?

In Victoria it's now illegal for patient assistants/attendants (however labelled) to do any nursing care in acute hospitals. We have orderlies who help to turn patients, under a nurses' supervision, but otherwise al the direct patient care is performed by nurses.

[nursin4ever]

I am a Medical Assistant, S.T.N.A., and as of 10-08 will be a Practical Nurse. Except for the fact that all of those titles have something to do with meds. they are quite different. The training and the emphasis of what is important are different in each of these. Sometimes you just need to sit down and lay out the expectations, over and over, and remember some heads are thicker than others

[RobinCNA]

After reading all this( and even responding earlier) I have decided that I'm going to stay put . Where I work at, I love my Job, I work on my own , and so far it's been stress free. Plus I really enjoy being able to give the one on one care that these people need. It's been a real joy getting to know the people and being a part of their lives.
I've had a couple days to think about all the fighting and back biting that's going on out there in the BIG world of nursing and I just don't want to deal with it at this stage in my life. I get to help people and in return they make me feel great without even knowing it.
Some people might think being a CNA is of no use or below them but it's a valuable job and we are needed.
Now don't take me wrong I know that most of the nurses out there are GREAT. my sister in law is a nurse , and I know she works VERY hard, and our health care system would fall apart without them.
It's like another person said there are bad apples in all professions including CNA's, and to be honest I wouldn't want to work with the lazy one's that are being written about. I can not stand to work with lazy incompetent people. If they don't like the job then GET OUT!!!
The bottom line here is giving our patients the best care humanly possible.
So we all need to work as a team.