Assisting CNA's/not able to do my own work

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I'm a new nurse, just graduated in May and trying to find my niche. At night I take care of 60 patients and their is so much to do. Last night a CNA told me that I would be helping them with changes if the 3rd aide didn't come in. I was told this on another floor this past week by another CNA. How am I supposed to do all of my work-and their is plenty and adequately take care of my residents? I used to be a cna and worked short all the time and I never told the nurses they would be taking a assignment. I know its a hard job and I am not bashing cnas. They are a valuable asset. But I am overloaded on a nightly basis. Who is going to pitch in and help me? NO ONE. I rarely get any breaks cause if I do I won't finish up in time. Maybe its time for me to go back to the hospital. This is so frustrating not being able to be the nurse I'm capable of being. How would you handle this situation? Thanks.

ChanceORiley27 "My aides", Take your aides to the side" Wow did they bring back slavery? It's a wonder to me that LTC's can find CNA's willing to work for them. I'm not sure if their that desperate or just plain stupid? I left LTC and went back to school to become a PCT. I work in critical care and would never go back to the degrading work of a LTC nursing assistant. My advice to CNA's , get out of LTC. You can find employment in hospitals, home care, doctor's offices. You don't have to waste away in LTC being treated like a second class citizen.

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ChanceORiley27 "My aides", Take your aides to the side" Wow did they bring back slavery? It's a wonder to me that LTC's can find CNA's willing to work for them. I'm not sure if their that desperate or just plain stupid? I left LTC and went back to school to become a PCT. I work in critical care and would never go back to the degrading work of a LTC nursing assistant. My advice to CNA's , get out of LTC. You can find employment in hospitals, home care, doctor's offices. You don't have to waste away in LTC being treated like a second class citizen.

trying to stir something up, are we? lol.....many of us use the term "my aides" no ownership implied...just meaning the ones working on my floor/wing.....

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Well nurse, no offense but I wouldn't have to try hard to "stir" things up in LTC. My post was geared more towards any CNA that happened to stumble across this thread. Just to let them know there are places that are willing to give them some amount of respect. Great example, "I think 3 aides could handle rounds on 60 residents just fine." Sure we can, like working a cattle line. Here's another good one, "also.... keep in mind what CNA stands for..." Yup Certified nursing assistant, it means assisting with your job which includes patient care.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

mid2348, you may have left a message for another CNA but, you are posting on the LTC: DON/ADON forum. I'm not sure how many others are looking here. Morte did make a good comment when referring the "my". The NHA does it in our facility when speakng about any staff... me included others also, including CNA's when referring to nurses, residents etc. I did not see anything wrong with it.

You seemed to lump all LTC in one pile. There are many facilities out there where their staff are appreciated greatly. I'm sorry you happened to find a facility that did not.

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Specializes in LTC since 1972, team leader, supervisor,.

At times CNAs can make the job stressful. I have always found that telling them upfront that they are my eyes and ears for resident care is important, and that I would never ask them to do anything I could not or would not do myself, but, I have got my job to do. In an emergency, helping is ok, but being told to do it by a CNA is something else. Most CNAs see nurses sitting at the station doing nothing, not realizing that the work we do is important, again that goes to show the a little knowledge can be dangerous. The other thing I have always done is give them expectations of what I expect from them and menor and coach them if there are problems. Best wishes to you, hope all goes better

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