Nurse forced to work as a CNA

[hillbillienurse]

Tonite at work, I saw a friend who usually works opposite of my shift. She is also nurse and was on-call. She was called by Admin and made to come in and work as an Aide. There were enuf nurses but Aide shortages. Can Admin do this?? Thank you.

[MunoRN, RN]

There's generally not any reason why they can't, this is why job descriptions usually include a phrase along the lines of "and other duties as directed". Personally I don't have any problem with this, being the best paid CNA around usually isn't something to complain about.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

CNA duties are nursing duties that can be delegated, yes? So, there's no reason a nurse shouldn't do the work if needed. If the facility is willing to pay nursing wages for CNA work, why not?

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

I've been pulled to other floors to perform duties usually delegated to CNAs and LPNs. My mom who is the DON in a SNF has went in on weekends to work alongside the CNAs when they are short or when a resident needs help and she's there. It never crossed my mind to complain about doing what is needed.

[hillbillienurse]

I did not present my question as a complaint, but as a question. I wrote the question for a friend. Now that the bad attitude bunch has squealed and shaken a crooked finger, I will wait and be appreciative of answers that aren't laden with venom from elsewhere.

I certainly don't mind a scenario where I could just come in and get paid a lot of money to help with ADL's.

The problem always lies within the fact that you cannot Un-Know what you Know.

It has always been difficult for me to just do the CNA duties. I always wound up working my buns off because if I saw an issue, and the other nurse could not, or would not, address it, I was ethically bound to take care of it.

Pain issues, wounds, treatments..... Couldn't just say "I'm in the CNA slot today; Not my circus, not my monkeys".

If the Nurse could be free to just do ADL's, and leave it at that, my goodness, I would take that assignment!

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

Yes. The administration can do that. She was on call and needed

[elkpark]

I did not present my question as a complaint, but as a question. I wrote the question for a friend. Now that the bad attitude bunch has squealed and shaken a crooked finger, I will wait and be appreciative of answers that aren't laden with venom from elsewhere.

What "venom"? You asked a question and a few different people have answered. I don't read anything negative or critical in the responses. Yes, an RN can be assigned to work as a CNA. Most of us have had that experience over the years at one time or another. I've never minded it particularly; I was getting paid my usual wages for what was usually a much easier shift.

[luvsltcrn]

I agree with Elkpark. I didn't see any "venom" in any responses. I volunteered to work as a CNA many times when we were overstated with nurses and short on CNAs. Always made for a much more relaxing shifts. I also spent a lot of years being on call and got called in occasionally to work as CNA and never even considered that it wasn't ok.

[oncivrn]

Yes that happens sometimes.

I wouldn't call it "easier" work but there is definitely less accountability and that is less stressful. Nice once in a while not to have to pass pills and insulin :)

[TriciaJ, RN]

So she's getting paid her regular wage to not have her regular responsibilities? Instead of appreciating the break, she's feeling demoted?

Like Rose Queen said, CNA duties are nursing duties that can be delegated. When did they start being beneath us?

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Was her pay being reduced? Otherwise being an aide with RN pay is fun usually.