Is my safety compromised?

CanadianRN16 · Oct 31, 2016

Unless you can find another trained staff to help you (RN/LPN/CNA) you by no means should transfer that resident. Unfortunately that resident is limited to a bed pan otherwise.

That's an unsafe situation in which you are compromising your own safety as well as the resident's safety by transferring her by yourself.

Cmtz108 · Oct 31, 2016

Thank you for the reply! Yes it's very hard to find another CNA since there not another person in the building! I ended up having to call people from a different building to help me toilet waited about half an hour. Turns out we needed three CNA's to help me toilet her tonight. The whole process took about 30 minutes with three of us. My facility should really invest in another CNA in my building!!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2016

Yes, your safety is comprised. DO NOT attempt to transfer 2+ -assists by yourself. You can't risk a lifetime of pain over something avoidable. They need to use a bedpan, or the facility must staff appropriately.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Oct 31, 2016

Sounds like that resident is no longer suitable for that level of care and needs to be moved.

allnurses Guide · Oct 31, 2016

I am willing to bet dollars to donuts that, should that resident have a fall-- or is injured in any way, while you are attempting to transfer them yourself, The Big Shots at that facility will throw you under the bus. I'm guessing this is an assisted living facility? No hoyers or other staff? Sounds like the level of care is not one conducive to the care of this resident. Either The Big Shots are not aware this resident isn't a fit anymore, or are blatantly turning a blind eye because, ka-ching, a filled bed (even an inappropriately filled one) is $$$$$$.

Protect yourself. Do not transfer this resident alone! And this place doesn't just need "another CNA"... they need to have this resident in an appropriate level of care with the appropriate equipment. If you needed 3 aides, then this resident likely needs some type of lift. You also mentioned that this resident "stopped being able to walk". Has this been reported? It needs to be reported and a change in the plan of care (and the level of care) needs to be made. If They know and don't care, find a better place to work, if at all possible.

ComeTogether, LPN · Nov 1, 2016

This resident shouldn't be toileted, period. It's not safe. Bedpan it is unless you can get your hands on a hoyer.

SCFreeman · Nov 13, 2016

Leave that resident till last then call for the extra CNA, How do other staff deal with the particular resident? and document document document

Cmtz108 · Nov 13, 2016

The other shifts have 2 CNA's available at all times in the building but I am left alone for my graveyard shifts.

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2016

This thread makes me so mad!

I'm just angered by these facilities. I'm sure it probably markets itself with photographs of charming, smiling, high-functioning elderly people being hugged by their charming, smiling, completely satisfied daughters. They probably boast about how each and every resident is unique with a story and how they strive to take that into consideration to provide the best gosh-darn care ever!!!

But they don't. They don't care what anybody's story is or what their unique needs are. They only care about filling the beds. Safety and care be damned.

So now you have Cmtz108 coming in there, green as peas, trying to figure out what the hell she is supposed to do. She is so new that it probably didn't strike her as funny that she was responsible for 15 moderate to severe dementia patients alone. Anybody who know their dementia patients knows that this is asking for trouble. Toileting issues aside, but what about the behavioral issues that bound to happen sooner or later? Where's Cmtz108's help then?

Cmtz108, I'm very curious... have you reported your concerns? What do you plan to do?

Cmtz108 · Nov 14, 2016

Well not to mention there already is many behavior problems. They constantly swing at me, punch or kick me. Not to mention the are constantly being aggressive to each other (clawing, taking swings, trying to stab with forks, etc.) during the day, thank goodnesss I haven't witnessed it happening at night. I have tried explaining to management and they tell me they will see what they can do, then as I expected they do nothing.

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2016

Well not to mention there already is many behavior problems. They constantly swing at me, punch or kick me. Not to mention the are constantly being aggressive to each other (clawing, taking swings, trying to stab with forks, etc.) during the day, thank goodnesss I haven't witnessed it happening at night. I have tried explaining to management and they tell me they will see what they can do, then as I expected they do nothing.

Holy cow.

You do not need to be working alone with those types of behaviors. Every time someone tries to strike out at you, report it. Get it in writing. Keep track of your reports and to whom you reported. If the residents actually strike you, demand to get checked out. Yesterday, I got kicked hard and another nurse had his arm twisted. We made reports and went to ER. If you get an injury (even if it seems like "nothing" now) that turns out to be something, you won't be covered by work comp if you don't follow through with this.

What's going to happen if, while working alone, a resident gets a hold of you and hurts you? You'll see how much this facility cares then... they'll blow you off just as much as they are now.

Leave now, if you can. That is bogus.