If there were no CNAs...would that be a bad thing?

[Kunzieo]

Hi. I almost hate to start another CNA thread, as so many degenerate into a nurse-vs.-cna thing....but that is not my purpose here.

We were talking in class today about how the trend in the hospitals (here in the Twin Cities, anyhow) seems to be working toward eliminating the CNA (PCA, aide, whatever.)

I work as a PCA on a cardiac step-down unit that recently re-worked their staffing grid. They lowered the patient ratios for the RN's (3-4pts) and greatly increased the patient ratios for the PCAs (~10pts on days/eves, and ~18 pts on nights.)

Many of the PCAs I work with (and some PCAs in my class) are angry about this. (Having to work harder...not feeling as valued.)

I actually think it makes a lot of sense. I think if you could get acceptable patient ratios, nurses might be better off doing all the cares for the patient themself. And I mean ratios that NURSES find acceptable, not management.

Then nurses would have the opportunity to examine/assess the patient during bath/changing/etc. Never again would the nurse have to worry if the vitals are accurate, or if the CNA measured urine correctly, or if the blood sugars will be done in time for insulin before breakfast. This appeals to me because I always prefer to do my own work....I always worry that it wasn't done "right" or well enough when I have to work with partners.

So...my question is...

Does this appeal to you at all? Why or why not? What kind of unit do you work on and what would your patient ratio (or accuity level) have to be in order for this to work for you?

Thanks!:redpinkhe

[Scrubby]

On the wards CNA or PNAs as we call them are worth their weight in gold. I have no problems with them in this area. Not in the OR though, i do not support my HCF introducing theatre techs, and thankfully management share this attitude. Sorry but I don't want to have my job and future nursing jobs in the OR replaced by non nursing staff, and given what has happened in other hospitals worldwide i would lose the privelege of scrubbing, which i am 100% against.

[angel4gramma]

when I was a cna I worked my butt off and made sure I was happy with what I accomplished that day. I do the same now that I am an RN and I still work my butt off. the difference is now I am dealing with chronic pain so I run a little faster so I can sit more often. people think I am not doing as much as they are but I am just sitting a few minutes in between tasks. I empty bedpans, change beds, ambulate pts, take discharges out to the car, remove fc, accuchecks, ect all I would be doing if we did primary care, the place I am now we actually get primary pts daily. 2 of my gripes with some cnas are no water when I pass meds and rechecking vitals (b/p and temps) when they look like they came from a dead person. There will always be great cnas, good cnas, bad cnas and those you want to never see again. The Rns are also good, bad and umm well why are you still here? I think if you were paid by the amount of work you did, people might do more.There are some days I am so nauseated(migraines) that if I have to clean **** up I will not make it out of the roomwithout vomiting. I always tell my special :) friends who are cnas working with me I owe them a million for cleaning up what I can't. we need them but we also need them to do their jobs so we can do our job too. Simple little things make me smile like everyone has water throughout the day. I won't talk about those employees who hide in rooms and watch tv or talk on their cell phones. ;0)

[EmmaG, RN]

I did not say this was a problem in "general" with ALL CNA's, if you completely read my post you would see that I SAID, "I know that all CNA's are not like this. "

Enough said. Thank you for your remarks.

In your post, you said you wished there was an all nurse staff, then described issues with CNAs. That was what I was responding to, just to clarify.