Being trained by CNA to do procedures

[Ginger80]

I'm a new grad LPN, and the other day, a resident where I work required a fleet enema. I have never done one yet (only on the mannequins at school ). The CNA there offered to show me how to do it.

Which brings me to this question: Are nurses "allowed" to be shown techniques, etc., by someone with less "education" than them?

Would I have had to call my supervisor?

[clemmm78, RN]

I would have had the resident (I'm talking physician resident) show me, politely turning down the CNA, telling her that as a nurse, you have to be trained by a licensed, trained, professional for that specific procedure. Enemas are ordered by a doctor, we have to get them out of our pyxus. They are a medication. Where I work, nurses provided medications, maybe LTC is different. I'd check w/ policy at that LTC.

I have a feeling you'd have a difficult time finding a doctor show you how to give an enema!

[Ginger80]

Am I the only one who is completely floored that you graduated from your LPN program and never gave an enema?? We were doing enemas within the first month of clinicals. For heavens sakes, grab the box--the instructions are in there somewhere. Yeah, yeah, I know, you have to have stuff checked off but seriously? It's not rocket science.

I was lucky to have been able to do everything else (Foleys, NG tubes, trach care, etc.) But for some reason, I have never had a patient requiring an enema. I know it's not rocket science, but since I have never done one, I would like some guidance during my "first time". Where I live, CNAs are allowed to do all kinds of procedures, including insertion of Foleys.

I did not end up doing the enema that day, as I wasn't sure whether I would do it correctly, and the supervisor on my unit was busy dealing with a death. The next shift did it, as it turns out.

I will check with the policies at my work place and also in my province. Thank you all for your feedback.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

It's an enema, not an IV! You might be shocked to know the things that CNAs know that you don't.

Although keep in mind at many facilities the nurse's aides do phlebotomy and start IV's!

[MassED, BSN, RN]

I have a feeling you'd have a difficult time finding a doctor show you how to give an enema!

well in my setting, yes. I wouldn't ever ask a resident about that.... If any procedure gave ME pause, then I might ask the charge, or another nurse who has been in this facility for a while. For some procedures (now not an enema!) I have asked the doc to try after a few of us nurses had been unsuccessful (IV's, NG's, etc.). Those are procedures that require finesse and sometimes no matter what you do, and all the tricks you have up your sleeve, the usual methods don't work. Then I drag a doc in there.

*I* wouldn't ask a resident... but I'd ask a resident (or fellow nurse first) before I'd ask a CNA. It IS written on the package, by the way.... just to add my 2 cents to the poster, have some chucks ready under and put the patient on their side. Cover up that rear when you're inserting and telling them to retain as long as they can, because not all patients listen or can retain and you don't want back splash!