CNA to RN woes

[dorselm]

Yesterday was a pretty bad day. There were a few things that went wrong but I think my ultimate problem is a lack of time management due to me wanting feeling like I need to do everything. My patient's light went off. He had diarrhea and needed his brief changed multiple times. Being that my med cart was near the patient's room, I was constantly going in to clean him up. I call the PCT because in my mind, I thought, why call her to do something that I can do? Constantly going in set me back and everything else just went downhill after that. When will I learn?

[Zalan]

As a PCA or a Tech I have always found its much easier for 2 ppl to do than 1. Hate to say it, but clean up is the reason Tech`s are their. Page us that is what we are their for. A Nurse & Tech clean up is much faster than just 1. If you are there to help the tech. The Tech is going to love the help you give them.

Don`t forget PCA are basicalliy Nurse Assistant without C before the title. & most of the time a Tech should be able to get another Tech to help them with clean up. To be honest a Tech that sees a nurse help with clean up is almost like seeing god. However, realize we are here to help you in any way we can.

Don`t ever be afraid or forget to call a Tech to Help you clean up.

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

When will you learn? You are learning...you just learned a really good lesson. Responsible delegation is essential to the job.

Yes you can change a patient just as good as any CNA or PCT and no you aren't too good to do it . However, can a CNA or PCT pass your meds, do your assessments, or complete your charting? No they cannot so instead of trying to wow the PCT and CNAs with your willingness to be a team player learn how to delegate effeciently. If you aren't doing anything then go in with the PCT/CNA and help out or do it yourself. If you are doing something then delegate the task and go back to what you need to get done.

[caliotter3]

An RN that I worked with was fired when he cleaned up a resident instead of getting the CNA to do it. The DON was following him with a clipboard as he was doing the treatments. He had just come off a six day suspension for being caught at 2:30 passing 7 am meds by the state inspectors. He was brand new to the facility and had not been oriented to the floor where he was forced to do the med pass with state in the house. Very, very unfair. He was set up as the scapegoat by the nurse who called in "sick" and her friends. (They were bragging about what they did to him about three or four weeks later.) Obviously the DON was taking it out on him rather than looking at the nurse who called off during the state inspection. But it still remains that she fired him for not delegating to the CNA. It is more important for you to do your own duties and delegate the CNA duties to the CNA. Just to be safe, jobwise.