CNA Frustrated with Being the Blame

[Kirsten Creator]

I am a CNA inside of a small hospital. Couple of days ago I took vitals. I missed a crucial part with not reporting low 02 to the nurse because I couldn't find her and ultimately forgot. I did chart ontime, but I forgot. I understand that was bad. I am always good with reporting what is questionable. The nurse came to me a couple of hours later upset that I didn't report. I explained I forgot. My question is why don't the nurses check the vitals on the computers? I know for the most part I am documenting every two hours. So how often are nurses checking and documenting. Don't come to me and put the blame on me when I feel it's a simple lookup right after vitals are taking just because of common mistakes like this. Me forgetting. So I just need some input. I know from now on I will be bringing all vitals to nurses before putting them in the computer whether they catch an attitude or not. I have to chase nurses down all the time because they hide or just give you a nasty attitude because you're bothering them when reporting abnormal VS. 

[guest1039278]

Kirsten Creator said:

*rolls eyes* so I guess you want to continue.

Unprofessional behavior here as well. The idea that you think that communicating you are rolling your eyes as a viable response to someone trying to give you constructive feedback is very unprofessional. Neither myself or my collegues would not tolerate this in a clinical or academic setting whatsoever. 

[londonflo]

FolksBtrippin said:

Are you talking about giving the nurse a copy of your written vitals before you put them in the computer?

Document those important numbers, It is first line of assessment. Don't wait until you speak to the nurse. This is what you were taught in your certification studies. THEN, communicate the abnormals directly to the responsible RN. As I said earlier, If I was your RN I would hand them back to you I'd ask you to circle the ones I should be take note of. I don't play games.  You are a CNA, were educated to do your job, right?  You get the pay of a CNA right?  Were you educated to write them on 'post-it-notes?' Do what you were educated to do and what you are receiving the pay for.t

This whole problem started when you did not communicate effectively, did not communicate a patient's change of status. But you want to change the standard method of communication to 'post-it notes', because you failed in communicating face-to-face, in a timely manner, a significant change in a patient's condition. 

 

 

[Kirsten Creator]

londonflo said:

Document those important numbers, It is first line of assessment. Don't wait until you speak to the nurse. This is what you were taught in your certification studies. THEN, communicate the abnormals directly to the responsible RN. As I said earlier, If I was your RN I would hand them back to you I'd ask you to circle the ones I should be take note of. I don't play games.  You are a CNA, were educated to do your job, right?  You get the pay of a CNA right?  Were you educated to write them on 'post-it-notes?' Do what you were educated to do and what you are receiving the pay for.t

This whole problem started when you did not communicate effectively, did not communicate a patient's change of status. But you want to change the standard method of communication to 'post-it notes', because you failed in communicating face-to-face, in a timely manner, a significant change in a patient's condition. 

 

 

I read the first sentence and instantly knew where you were headed. So I didn't read your comment either.

[londonflo]

Kirsten Creator said:

I read the first sentence and instantly knew where you were headed. 

[FiremedicMike, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Kirsten Creator said:

I read the first sentence and instantly knew where you were headed. So I didn't read your comment either.

You need to grow up.

[londonflo]

x

[Kirsten Creator]

FiremedicMike said:

You need to grow up.

Quit trying to get your point across.

[FiremedicMike, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Kirsten Creator said:

Quit trying to get your point across.

Take your own advice.

 

[Kirsten Creator]

FiremedicMike said:

Take your own advice.

 

And here you are again. LOL

[kkbb, MSN, RN]

I want to look at this from a completely different point of view...let's look at where the system failed.  OP, you have not specifically addressed this, so I will ask.  Do you have phones or pagers to get ahold of other staff during the shift?  Do the RNs?  I ask because you did bring up a good point, both you and the nurse have things that need to get accomplished.  As charge, there are many times I need to track down a nurse, but they could be anywhere (pt room, med room, supply room, bathroom, who knows).  I just call them up with whatever it is I need to tell them.  I have heard that some facilities do not give CNAs phones to carry.  Your situation is exactly why they should.  While I understand your Post-It Note idea, I know that there are points in a shift where I don't see my desk for hours, so I wouldn't see your note, which leaves us in the same situation.  But, having access to phones or whatever could have prevented lots of frustration for all.  Just a thought.    

[Kirsten Creator]

kkbb said:

I want to look at this from a completely different point of view...let's look at where the system failed.  OP, you have not specifically addressed this, so I will ask.  Do you have phones or pagers to get ahold of other staff during the shift?  Do the RNs?  I ask because you did bring up a good point, both you and the nurse have things that need to get accomplished.  As charge, there are many times I need to track down a nurse, but they could be anywhere (pt room, med room, supply room, bathroom, who knows).  I just call them up with whatever it is I need to tell them.  I have heard that some facilities do not give CNAs phones to carry.  Your situation is exactly why they should.  While I understand your Post-It Note idea, I know that there are points in a shift where I don't see my desk for hours, so I wouldn't see your note, which leaves us in the same situation.  But, having access to phones or whatever could have prevented lots of frustration for all.  Just a thought.    

The post it note idea is only in cases if I  can't find the nurse or charge nurse for an abnormal vital or to remind myself if a situation occurs again where she is M.I.A. Otherwise I would be addressing it verbally with the nurse before charting. All other vitals are posted soon after taking vitals. Since this incident I have used the sticky note for a nurse once and went back to her and confirmed that she saw it and asked if it was OK to chart it.. Worked fine so I will continue to do this if need be. As for the phones or pagers no we don't have those or atleast im not aware of it. 

[guest1039278]

londonflo said:

PERFECT representation of OP.