Scheduled to Work the Floor as a CNA

I'll still be paid as an LPN, so that's not the part that I am really concerned about. We only have 1 CNA on the floor from 1200 - 0600. We have a lot of residents who are pretty heavy care and I just don't have the physical strength or stamina to do it by myself any more...and I know how busy the nurse is, so I know not to expect a lot of help from her. I guess if I do it for 18 weeks, that might come back. I think it will be confusing for the residents too...all of a sudden I'm not going to have keys to the cart, not going to be able to give them their PRNs, not going to be doing the treatments, etc. Anyone who knows how gossip spreads among the residents and their families knows that someone will get the idea that I lost my license or messed up and somehow had to be "demoted."

I was talking to my husband about it and his biggest concern is that when the next contract is up or when they finally hire someone, it will be as charge and they will continue to have me working the floor.

I don't think it is beneath me or that I am too good or anything like that, but...it is not what I was hired to do. Physically, it is very demanding and my out of shape, old, and weak body just can't do it as well as it used to. A few months ago, it wouldn't have been so bad...they staffed two CNAs, except from 2200-0600, there were only three or four residents who were total care (now there are 10), and we weren't responsible for all of the housekeeping duties as well as nursing. I don't know how the CNAs do it because it is so physically and emotionally demanding.

I don't mind working as a CNA once in a while, but I really don't want to do it all the time. I don't mind helping the CNA on the floor when I have time, but I'm not going to do it at the expense of being there an hour past my shift while the CNA leaves right on time or at the expense of residents getting their meds late or not getting their treatments.

Overall, this place has gone WAY downhill in the past three or four months. I actually like it there and would really like to see things change. I keep telling myself how much the residents need the staff that is there and how much I would like to be a part of the solution rather than leave and just make the staffing situation worse. I just don't know what to do right now.

I did mention my physical limitations and was told to use the lift to transfer everyone. That's all fine and good for transfers, but it doesn't help reposition in bed. One of the reasons I went to nursing school is because I knew I don't have the physical ability to work as a CNA for very long...especially when I am essentially doing it on my own. I've never liked the fact that so much is left to one CNA and I've mentioned it several times...I've even turned it in to the state and the corporation that manages the nursing home. Nothing has changed though...when state investigated, the administrator told them that the staffing situation was only temporary. Whatever.

More than anything, I don't want to lose my charge position. It's not a great job or anything, but I really do enjoy what I do. The residents are wonderful, my coworkers are great (but very few), the pay is decent...

Thanks for listening!