A problem with CNAs

If the CNAs don't do their job, it will reflect on you. One suggestion is to tell them exactly what you want from them and when you want it done as soon as you get on the floor. Example: You want all the collected vitals on a sheet in your hands within the first two hours of shift. If what need is not done, find out why and what you can do to improve the outcome.

When I worked on the floor as a CNA, I would never have done these things to an RN. I read these stories all the time and I just cannot understand HOW lazy CNA's get away with this stuff. One thing I did notice when I was a floor CNA is that there is a different mentality for CNAs who are in nursing school versus those who are not. If a CNA is in nursing school, he or she will be more than willing to work hard for you because they are thinking of their future career. However, if the CNA is not in nursing school, they are only thinking of themselves and their JOB, not career. I saw this over and over on the floor.

If you have any good CNAs who work hard for you, don't forget to thank them. This means alot to us after a hard day of work and should mean alot to you because a good CNA will definitely make your life easier.

Just my two cents.

I am a C.N.A . I know what you are saying .It is a shame , I do not know why but thank god we still have some of the good ones.

I am the equivalent of a CNA in my hospital, and see exactly what you all have observed. Upon entering nursing school at the age of 40, I quit a $27/hour to take this $9/hour position to gain the value of the experience on the unit in which I wish to work as a future nurse two years from now. Those who are in nursing school (generally speaking) work hard, are responsive, and do extra because they want to learn and build upon skills to be appied when they graduate, as well as have an ongoing good reference with co-workers. The others (generally) lack the motivation associated with potential upward mobility, because it is just a job with no monetary future. It's a shame there isn't a prevailing desire to simply give an honest day's work, but that is everywhere right now...right?

i am a pct (cna with more training) at a hospital, we have clearly stated guidelines what i am responsible for and if were not to complete the task i will definitely hear about it the next time im at work. even if i am unable to take a pt vitals because they are off the floor, i have to pass that on to the other pct coming on after me to do it once they get back to the floor. if im too busy with an admit and i dont have the time,then it is my responsiblity to ask another pct to do it for me. as a pct, i do peripheral blood draws from my pts and even during my first month there,when i yet wasn't certified to draw blood, it was my responsiblity to pass on the task to another pct on my unit so they would do it for me. i couldn't just say to the rn "no, i can't since im not certified" and walk away. everything from vitals, baths, linen changes, accuchecks, i/o's, ambulation, bathroom walks, diaper changes, post-op vitals, vitals during blood transfusions, etc was my responsiblity. if i didnt do it, it was as a serious offence as if a rn didnt do her nur assessment or pass out her meds. of course the rns help but if she were to empty out a urinal she is to tell me that she did it and how much to chart but i am to chart it (unless she does it and its no big deal, but i still have to know so i can monitor the output so i can report back to her if output for 8h shift is <250mL) . my nursing director expects us as pcts to be as responisble as rn with thier duties. and even though the rn is ulimitly responsible for the pts care, I am just as responsible to complete the tasks that i was trained to do. I really enjoy where i work, everyone knows this and no one gets away with being lazy at work. and if they are lazy then those employees dont last long on my floor.

Does this happen a lot, charting what someone else does?

Yes, its your manager's job to handle this.
If things don't change, start keeping a list of dates and times things are not done, and by whom. Don't be confrontational, just factual; "no VS done on pt X on 2/2/09", "Asked CNA to total I/Os at 2 PM. No totals charted on pts X,Y and Z, on 2/3/09". Managers can't do much without a paper trail. More work for you? yes, but hopefully very short term.

I so feel your pain...I am truly amazed at the amount of healthcare workers that really don't care...Last night...I had one leave for one of her many breaks...She closed the door to a resident's room leaving me to wonder if she was caring for them...Nope, one was left on the toilet alone (90 years old) and needs a lift to get to bed. The other had her 02 off and dirty linen and briefs on the floor...She was gone for 20 minutes...leaving the door closed with the residents in danger...

I wrote a letter to the administrators. I think that is a great idea. The sad reality is, many don't need more training. You can't train someone to care...