LPN forced to work as CNA

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

My facility is having so much trouble keeping CNAs that they started asking LPNs to come in and work as a CNA. I don't have a problem with this as long as it is a voluntary thing. Now they have had a LPN come in on her regular shift only to find out that she had to work as a CNA. I don't want to work as a CNA. Don't get me wrong, I admire our CNAs and don't mind changing people and helping out, but I don't think I could handle doing it for a 12 hour shift. I have never been a CNA. Any opinions?

Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

I am still a student, with an LPN license, but I agree that nurses should be willing to do direct patient care, even if it requires wiping a butt or two. It may not be your favorite thing, but it is a human need, and you should not consider it "beneath you."

I do work as an aide, though, so perhaps that influences my feelings. And I have a desire to physically do things that help make others lives better. Changing a dirty brief certainly improves that patient's quality of life!

I would be annoyed if I was constantly asked to work as a CNA at an LPN job, but as long as they paid me my LPN wage, I wouldn't get too worked up if I had to do it once in a while.

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I don't have a problem working as a CNA. I help my CNAs with anything they need. I change people, give baths, feed or whatever else needs to be done. I would never think I am above them. I admire them because their job is so much more demanding than mine. My point is that I just don't think it is fair to not let a nurse know before they come in for their scheduled shift that they will be working the entire shift as a CNA instead of a nurse.

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I don't blame the OP for being concerned about LPNs working as a CNA. Ofcourse, a nurse is not above doing "diry work". However, I could not survive one shift being a CNA in a LTCF. I don't mind helping with ADL and doing them myself, but there is no way I'd be comfortable with having 15-20 residents that I have to get up and dressed on my own. I was a CNA before becoming a nurse and quit after a shift working in a nursing home. I was an excellent nurse in LTC but I'd make a horrible CNA.

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Ofcourse, a nurse is not above doing "diry work".

Some nurses are above doing ADLS.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

There is a BIG difference in primary care in an acute care setting when you have from 4 to 6 patients and taking a cna's full assignment in LTC.The last private LTC I worked in where this was common was a black hole.The last shift I pulled as a cna I had 15 residents.I could not even stand straight to walk to my car. I gave notice the next day.

In no way does it mean the OP is "above" doing ADL's. Most of us in LTC will feed during a meal, toilet a resident, take a resident to the beauty shop when the cna's are swamped.BUT I can do their job,they can't do mine. We get into trouble when we want to please everyone.

There are systemic issues that are making this facility incapable of retaining aides. The residents are NOT getting the care they deserve. It's time to beat feet out of there.

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I wish it was only 15 per CNA in our facility. Most of the time it is 25 per CNA. Thanks for all the comments. If there were other jobs available where I live I would have been gone a long time ago. I live in a small town and unless I want to drive 2 hrs I can forget anything but LTC. The hospitals around here don't hire LPNs and we have one clinic and those LPNs never leave.

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Some nurses are above doing ADLS.

Some people aren't above POSING as nurses, either.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I've had to be the tech (and occasionally the LVN) when we were short-staffed. It is tough work. On the other hand, since I'm freed from the paperwork, I get to spend more time with the patients...I actually get to interact more with them than I would usually.

I hope they resolve your staffing problems soon.

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No disrespect to any CNA, but that a no, no in my book

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Specializes in Geriatric.

Hmm..I admire the CNAs I work with as well, at the same time I'd rather just have the day off. But I have to disagree with the majority of comments here, it is CHEAPER, to mandate a current LPN to work as a CNA rather than hiring agency staff to make ratio. The facility I work at uses agency, CNAs are over $24 over hour their wage is around $15. An Agency

PN that came into our facility states than when working regularly she makes more than many DONs.

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