CNA scope of practice issue on my unit

Heck if I know, I had to google what changing a urinary catheter bag is.

Wow. Emptying foley bags is definitely in the CNA scope of practice and at my job we empty them twice a shift. Something sounds fishy about this particular CNA if she isn't willing to learn.

The op was about changing the entire bag

Wow. Emptying foley bags is definitely in the CNA scope of practice and at my job we empty them twice a shift. Something sounds fishy about this particular CNA if she isn't willing to learn.

The op was about changing the entire bag

Ah. Read it too fast. Pretty sure that's in the CNA "scope" as well at my hospital.

To be fair, allowing CNA's to change foley bags is not a universal rule. At every place I've worked CNA's are not allowed to change foley bags, and if asked to do so by the nurse they are expected to say "no". The OP mentioned that CNA had come over from another unit, and while this might be normal practice in "well patient" environments such as psych or LTC care, it's not a given that CNA's are always allowed to do this by facility rules.

I feel bad because sometimes I think it is confusing sometimes as a CNA, especially if you're new to a facility. As long as you tell her that she's supposed to be doing it and offer to teach her how to do it then it will probably be something the supervisor will have to handle. If she keeps refusing after that then it's a bad sign for her.

Maybe she does think she's not allowed too, stuff like that can be weird. I'm a cna in a ltc right now what we're allowed and not allowed to do doesn't make any sense to me. We're allowed to change the foley bags to leg bag and allowed to empty/change the ileostomy pouches but we're not allowed to give residents Ensure because it's considered medicine. It doesn't make any sense but nothing the management decides ever does.

Thank you all so much for your responses :) As the charge nurse I do have the authority to discipline & write the CNA up, which I will be doing tomorrow when I see her. Additionally, state BON responded, of course stating CNA's can most certainly change leg bag to bedside bag.

Feeling the power?

What the BON says and what the actual policy of your facility might be very different. The BON says RNs can intubate but it is doubtful a lot of facilities extend that skill to all of their nurses.

If the CNA had to "google" something then maybe your facility's P&Ps are not clear or readily available. What about her skill check off list? For goodness sakes you had to email the BON instead of looking in your own policies. Never assume something in your own workplace until you check the written policy. Heck some assume the advice on this anonymous internet forum must be the word of policy for all.

Maybe instead of flexing your "authority", you should gather up the facility's CNA job description and skill checkout sheet. This might have been the first time she has heard of changing the bag as her skill. CNA is an entry level job with very little training or education. Don't expect them to know everything the first time not matter how menial the task is to you.

This stuff of "I'm writing you up na na nah" over what seems to be a conflict in information should not come into this playground.

Are you licensed? You don't have a "scope of practice" unless you are...

That is incorrect. In the OP's state if her profile is correct, it is referred to as "scope of practice". The same reference is in my state as well. EMTs and some Paramedics are certified and have a scope of practice as do phlebotomists. Medical Assistants are also defined loosely by a scope of practice although their certification process is somewhat of a mystery to me but I say that with respect.