All you do is pass meds and chart....I do everything else........

Nurses General Nursing

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how can a tech who has been a CNA for 20 years be so clueless?????????

Gee, I didn't realize my job was so easy. Why was I one hour late getting home tonight?

Not to slam techs. I'm having a bad day.

Originally posted by Cute CNA

That person probably has never really considered what it's like to be on your side of the fence.

Originally posted by ShayRN

The one in particular I have heard rumors that she has told patients, I have been an aide for over 35 years, so I am like a nurse without the license

I do think a lack of understanding in regards to what RNs/LPNs do does contribute to problems on a unit. I think it also contributes to the attitude that if they have enough experience as a CNA that they know as much as a nurse. An experienced CNA can be a very valuable asset to a unit, especially to a new nurse.

Originally posted by nextnursedani

I know this from personal experience, and yes...I know what the nurse has on their plates...but some nurses feel that basic nursing care is beneath them! what a load of bunk! If it weren't for the aides taking the brunt of the grunt work off of the nurse, they couldn't get done the things they should get done.

Try working as an RN with NAs that feel basic nursing care is beneath them, that is what I deal with as an RN. Sorry, I think when aides have the attitude that they are taking the brunt of the grunt work off the nurse and if it weren't for them they couldn't get done what they need to do is another problem. An aide's job IS NOT FAVOR they do for the nurses, their job is to take care of the patients in the capacity that they were hired as.

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Specializes in ER/SICU/Med-Surg/Ortho/Trauma/Flight.

Well Im ICU charge where I work, and let me tell you we have an 80 bed ICU. We work in teams of 2 RN's,2 LPN's, and 2 Aides/PCT's to about 8 to 10 beds to a team. And I understand about the aides work what do they think I started out as then I became an LPN then an RN, BSN. But they think us the RN's and LPN's are lazy but where not I mean, the LPN's do vitals, draw labs, perform ecg's, give po,subq,IM,and some IV meds, monitor are blood transfusion patients after Ive started the transfusion, do all the foley stuff,enemas and do some bed baths and weights. The RN we have to titrate the Ivs, do the majority of IV push meds, ng tubes, tube feedings, help the LPN's check sugars and pass meds, start blood transfusions, monitor vents, help the LPN's with wound checks and dressing changes and do all of are assesments, let alone if the doctor needs help with something, so theres the rundown list of what most nurses have to do, so stop complaining about happening to do the basic bedside nursing stuff, my aides dont have a problem with it, oh yeah thats right im there boss and all i have to do is pull the klittle blue slip out of the drawer of my desk and write them up.:angryfire :uhoh3: :rotfl: :chuckle :coollook:

Rodney RN,BSN CEN CCRN

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

So sorry about your bad day Tweety...........have a much better one today!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Thanks again for the support.

I'm still having a bit of PTSD fromt he last two days. It's more than likely a personality clash. I was irritated because after her breakfast break, she had to give the sitter a breakfast break (I've never had a breakfast break in 13 years mind you) and was off the floor for a long time. No problem there, but then she said "I'm going to do so and so's bath and he's going to buy me lunch". I said "I really need you with me for a while because I've been running around while you've been away."..........."You ain't been doing nothing, all you do is pass meds and chart and I do everything else, so don't you go saying you been running around." I just turned and walked away. What can you do with a tech that's been an institution for 20 years doing things her way.

I get irritated being judged and bossed around. I emptied bedpans, wiped butts, fetched coffee and juice, turned patients, in addition to juggling a critical patient that I waited five hours for an ICU bed, sent a patient to the OR and recieved the patient, did discharge teaching, and gave pain medicine to everyone, (we're a trauma unit) etc. on and on and on. I had 8 patients (don't get me started on the ratio.)

We ended the day with me asking "can you bring me something to empty this foley, I gave lasix and it's about to bust."........."I'm going home now, it can wait, it don't have to be done right now........."........me: "I'm not leaving this full foley for the next shift......."

She ended the day saying she would refuse to work with me every again. She arrives early each day to scope out the assignment, so I'm sure she'll maked that a reality.

Anyway, thanks for listening and thanks for letting me vent.

I know there are awsome techs around and I know there are lazy nurses around. I'm only talking about my one day and not judging anyone's job description.

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Specializes in Child/Adolescent Mental Health.

:icon_hug: Tweety:icon_hug: I hope things get better.

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OMG You sound like the CNA from heaven!! Please come work with ME!!

I do have to admit to having one of the best teams of CNA's in the facility I work at. I never worry about the level of care they are giving-its always the best, no matter how short staffed we are, or about if any of the residents aren't acting themselves, they keep me well informed. They do however, have a nurse who will come down the hallway when I have some free time and help them with rounds, answer lights, and speak up for them It's a two way street. I've worked with CNA's that I couldn't trust down the hallway to do their job even at a minimal level, as a new nurse, I never felt I needed that stress on top of doing what I needed to get done.

I hope your nurses know what a true gem you are : )

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It sounds like you have an aide with an attitude problem. What she is doing is insubbordination. Around here that person would get a write up and a one on one visit from the manager. Has that been addressed with your supervisor? You need to document all of your dealings with her. Nothing can be done without a paper trail. Good luck and DO NOT let her get to you. You can bet she isn't losing sleep over you.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

All I know is I love my techs. We all for the most part, really appreciate each others' roles and work as a team. I could not do my job without them and they know RNs have a tough job, as well. We do work well together 99% of the time.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.
She ended the day saying she would refuse to work with me every again. She arrives early each day to scope out the assignment, so I'm sure she'll maked that a reality.

The thought is breaking your heart already, I can tell ;). Wishing better days and less dorky co-workers in your immediate future.

I can confess as a new aide I was pretty clueless about the true scope of a nurse's responsibilities, and even tho I had been working health care for 12 happy years before I was officially a nurse, I didn't REALLY _fully_ "get it" until I was there. I've always thought you sounded like a nurse I'd want to work with, Tweety, so I know you'll chalk this up to ignorance in the purest sense - she really DOESN'T know, even though she thinks she does ;).

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Specializes in Oncology, Home Health, Psychiatry.
I do think a lack of understanding in regards to what RNs/LPNs do does contribute to problems on a unit. I think it also contributes to the attitude that if they have enough experience as a CNA that they know as much as a nurse. An experienced CNA can be a very valuable asset to a unit, especially to a new nurse.

Try working as an RN with NAs that feel basic nursing care is beneath them, that is what I deal with as an RN. Sorry, I think when aides have the attitude that they are taking the brunt of the grunt work off the nurse and if it weren't for them they couldn't get done what they need to do is another problem. An aide's job IS NOT FAVOR they do for the nurses, their job is to take care of the patients in the capacity that they were hired as.

Dusktildawn...I hope I did not offend you. But as I stated, I wasn't talking about ALL nurses or ALL aides. what I was pointing out was that there are nurses who I have personally heard make the remarks that "I didn't go to school to empty bedpans! That's what the aide is for!" These are the nurses who, in my opinion, aren't extending good patient care. Realistically, not everyone should be in healthcare, they just don't have the HEART for the job. I am looking at this from both sides, and I'm thankful for that. I had other nurses (and nurse managers) tell me that being an aide will benefit me as a nurse because I will have the motivation to give better care to my patients. From these very mouths, it has been said that you can usually tell those who worked the floor before becoming a nurse, and those who didn't.

I applaud all nurses, and aides....this is a field that requires the two to work together and learn to appreciate the other's jobs. Nurses need GOOD aides, but Good aides come from GOOD nurses who appreciate the work and ability of the aide.

>>>> Think of how much more work you have if there is no aide to help

And to Tweety...you are the kind of nurse I love to work WITH ... don't let one bad apple spoil it for the bunch----there are more of US than of them!!! Keep up the GOOD work!!!!!

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Dusktildawn...I hope I did not offend you. But as I stated, I wasn't talking about ALL nurses or ALL aides. what I was pointing out was that there are nurses who I have personally heard make the remarks that "I didn't go to school to empty bedpans! That's what the aide is for!" These are the nurses who, in my opinion, aren't extending good patient care. Realistically, not everyone should be in healthcare, they just don't have the HEART for the job. I am looking at this from both sides, and I'm thankful for that. I had other nurses (and nurse managers) tell me that being an aide will benefit me as a nurse because I will have the motivation to give better care to my patients. From these very mouths, it has been said that you can usually tell those who worked the floor before becoming a nurse, and those who didn't.

I applaud all nurses, and aides....this is a field that requires the two to work together and learn to appreciate the other's jobs. Nurses need GOOD aides, but Good aides come from GOOD nurses who appreciate the work and ability of the aide.

>>>> Think of how much more work you have if there is no aide to help

And to Tweety...you are the kind of nurse I love to work WITH ... don't let one bad apple spoil it for the bunch----there are more of US than of them!!! Keep up the GOOD work!!!!!

No nextnursedani you didn't offend me. I agree there are good and bad with both nurses and CNAs and I know you werent referring to all nurses or all aides. I have seen nurses with the attitude you described, no it is not right. It does bother me when people, not just CNAs, believe that their job is a favor for the nurses. The fact is when housekeeping, pharmacy, central supplies, clerks, admitting, bed management, staffing, supervisors, and CNAs are not doing their jobs, it does impact on how well I am able to perform mine.

what I was pointing out was that there are nurses who I have personally heard make the remarks that "I didn't go to school to empty bedpans! That's what the aide is for!"

I not only do not make comments like this, it is also not my attitude. Neither is it the attitude of the majority of RNs I work with. Have I encountered nurses with this attitude, sad to say that there are those out there that do have this attitude. When patients need to be turned or positioned, changed, use the bedpan, assisted with ambulation, need water, etc, it is the RNs on my unit providing the majority of it and utilizing the assistance of another RN when necessary. Right now I have too much work to do because the majority of the CNAs I work with are not doing their job. Their attitude is that they should only do VS, Chemsticks, lab draws, and I & O's that's it and we should be GRATEFUL. There are 3 CNAs that are wonderful to work with on my unit, but that's just it, only 3 out of 10. Combine that with a manager who is not doing anything about the situation. Some place just get too many bad apples and those bad apples can be either nurses or CNAs. As individuals we have the choice in how well we perform our jobs, whatever that job is.

We have 4 CNAs right now who are pursuing nursing. 2 of them are one of the 3 CNAs that are wonderful to work with, and I can see them becoming exceptional nurses. The other 2, well I don't see them being any better as an RNs than they are as a CNAs. Being a CNA before becoming a nurse can be beneficial, but that is often dependent on the individual. I've seen RNs who were former CNAs that treated CNAs horribly. It's how one chooses to apply their experiences.

I think you will be one who will apply your experiences towards being an exception nurse.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Thanks again for the support.

I'm still having a bit of PTSD fromt he last two days. It's more than likely a personality clash. I was irritated because after her breakfast break, she had to give the sitter a breakfast break (I've never had a breakfast break in 13 years mind you) and was off the floor for a long time. No problem there, but then she said "I'm going to do so and so's bath and he's going to buy me lunch". I said "I really need you with me for a while because I've been running around while you've been away."..........."You ain't been doing nothing, all you do is pass meds and chart and I do everything else, so don't you go saying you been running around." I just turned and walked away. What can you do with a tech that's been an institution for 20 years doing things her way.

I get irritated being judged and bossed around. I emptied bedpans, wiped butts, fetched coffee and juice, turned patients, in addition to juggling a critical patient that I waited five hours for an ICU bed, sent a patient to the OR and recieved the patient, did discharge teaching, and gave pain medicine to everyone, (we're a trauma unit) etc. on and on and on. I had 8 patients (don't get me started on the ratio.)

We ended the day with me asking "can you bring me something to empty this foley, I gave lasix and it's about to bust."........."I'm going home now, it can wait, it don't have to be done right now........."........me: "I'm not leaving this full foley for the next shift......."

She ended the day saying she would refuse to work with me every again. She arrives early each day to scope out the assignment, so I'm sure she'll maked that a reality.

Anyway, thanks for listening and thanks for letting me vent.

I know there are awsome techs around and I know there are lazy nurses around. I'm only talking about my one day and not judging anyone's job description.

Good heavens, Tweety. You'd probably have been better off to not have a tech at all than to have to depend on someone like that.

I'm so sorry that you pulled such a scary assignment with such a clueless CNA to "help" these patients. I understand completely because very often, the "strong" CNAs are assigned to the "weaker" nurses, so I usually pull the floats who've never done tele before, and I'm beginning to think I've seen it all.

(Had one who responded when we got an admit at 0500, "I don't do vitals on admissions this late. I wait for day shift" and so guess who had to do all the admission paperwork, assessment, and early vitals on the entire assignment? :angryfire Maybe in retrospect, I should've been ecstatic that she did empty a few Foleys....:stone )

It might help to remind your CNA what you already know--it's not about her, it's about the patient, the patient, the patient!

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