Care Aide work vs. RN work?

[Maddi_Rose]

Hey everyone! You all seem so knowledgable and diverse that this site seemed to be the best place to pose this question. I just finished my first year of nursing school in BC, which included a clinical component in a LTC facility.

I was wondering what your experience of care aide tasks and responsibilities vs. registered nursing responsibilities was. I sometimes hear that Registered Nursing is becoming more of a desk job a little all the time. I don't really mind this, I'm still gung ho about becoming a nurse. Do you find that in your role as an RN you don't do the same kind of physical tasks that care aides do? Of course nurses have a bajillion duties, I guess I'm wondering how or if they overlap with care aid or even LPN work? Do you find that nursing is becoming more of a desk sort of job?

I'm not saying or implying that one role is better than the other, I'm just wondering how they are the same or different.

Thanks!

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

I did happen to say "sometimes"....I also am one of those CNAs that stays 15-20 minutes late....without my 15 minute breaks, and sometimes without my lunch break. I do understand that nurses have a ton to do...but if I am busy with another resident, and there are multiple lights on I can't be 2 places at once. I am not saying the nurses do less than the CNAs...I just feel that sometimes it is really stressful....

I will agree with you in that it is stressful for the whole team. I will tell you when my aides are having a bad day I am have an bad day too. Even worse the residents are having a bad day too. In the end that is what our jobs are about the residents and helping to meet their physical and emotional needs.

Also if a nurse is getting on your butt about the call lights and you are honestly doing your best I am sorry that is happening to you. Maybe try explaining to the nurse that you are overwhelmed and are having a hard time keeping up.