ALF CNA's What can the LPN do to be most helpful to you?

[tlc2u]

I am an LPN in an Assisted Living and thought I was doing things to be helpful to the CNA's.

However recent feedback has me wondering if I am helping enough or too much:rolleyes:

I would love to hear from any ALF CNA's (3-11 shift or any shift) about what they feel the LPN can do to be most helpful to the CNA?

Thank You for any tips or advice you are willing to share.

[yousoldtheworld]

The biggest help is the small things. If a nurse is in the room with a resident and the resident wants some water or a blanket, and the nurse just grabs that for them instead of finding me to tell me? That feels like christmas. Or if they answer a call light or two when they see that the hall is lit up like a christmas tree and I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I appreciate nurses willing to do those things so much, and in turn I do what I can to help them out, too.

[tlc2u]

Wow!

Thanks for the response. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. Sounds like you are a hard working CNA who cares and works as a team with the nurse. Just curious what are some of the things you do to help the nurse?

I can't imagine leaving a clients room to find the CNA for tasks that would take only a few minutes, I work 3-11 and from 6-8 or 8:30 while the CNA is giving showers depending on the night I run 70-95% of the call bells. Some nights between this time I have only administered meds to 3 clients due to call bells or redirecting a client who cannot find their room or safely redirecting a client who is pacing in the hallway without the walker and scared to go back in their room.

However I am getting feedback from (7-3 supervisor) that I never help the CNA. This is why I asked the question as I wondered if I am not giving the help a CNA expects.

My other thoughts are maybe the CNA does not realize how many call bells I am answering since she is in a room with the door closed and the shower running.

After 9 or 9:30 the CNA has some time to sit and relax between the few last client needs of the CNA. While I am still running like a chicken with my head cut off and multi-tasking of nursing duties until past 11:30.

Facility is asking why I cannot get done on time. Not to sound better than anybody else but I grew up working hard and am very work focused and have always been willing to do what it takes to get the job done. I wonder if this is my downfall. Maybe I never learned how to say no, or to the client whose TV isn't working and requires 10 minutes of pushing buttons on their remote to get it back on track to say I don't have the time or I don't know how.

Anyone reading this I would appreciate any suggestions of things you do on your shift that helps get the job done on time and any suggestions of what as a CNA you feel is helpful to you from the nurse.

Sincere Thanks,

tlc2u

[parumph]

Looks like your work is not getting noticed. If you do something for a CNA such as toilet a pt or anything, let the CNA know. This does two thing. 1) helps them with charting and 2) lets them know your not holding the chair to the floor. Don't sound bitter or anything about it. And wait for the CNA to come to you/the desk. Don't go find them in a room, busy, to say "I just took Bob to the bathroom".

Try not to give shots/meds while the CNA is working with a patient. Walking in and setting them down for 'with it' pt's is fine. But dont be that nurse (i had this happen last week) that just has to give the pt a shot while she's standing up, just off the toilet, getting her butt cleaned by the cna (me). But try to work with your CNA to complete your task faster. I.e. in this case, help with cleaning, pants up, transfer back to where the pt wants to go, then do meds.

Don't set your self up to get yelled at for OT, but don't sit and wait for the CNA's to do something.

[yousoldtheworld]

Wow!

Thanks for the response. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer. Sounds like you are a hard working CNA who cares and works as a team with the nurse. Just curious what are some of the things you do to help the nurse?

Well, first of all, if your facility isn't appreciating you, I'll take you. :) We have nurses who will walk by a resident, see that his pants are falling down, and instead of pulling them up, walk around til they find an aide to tell them to go pull the resident's pants up. Very frustrating.

Things I do to help my nurse when able: pass out asceptos to the tube fed residents, do vital signs (at my facility, they are the nurses' responsibility), set out supplies for nightly treatments and breathing treatments, change the washcloths we keep underneath the trachs, and stock their cart with cups, straws, spoons, etc. Basically anything I am able to do to make her night easier.

I agree with parumph - let them know after you toilet someone or if you do something for them. Believe me, many of us would love to work with a nurse like you!