Delegating to aides: How do you do it?

hikernurse · Feb 6, 2008

A matter of fact statement tends to work pretty well :). Add a please and thank you and a rationale if the CNA needs one--it's always easier to want to do something if you know why.

When I was a CNA, I never minded being asked to do something; if the nurse didn't ask, how would I know what needed to be done--other than VS, ADLs and typical normal stuff.

If you look at it as simple communication more than "bossing" someone around, it kind of turns into a non-issue--usually anyway .

xviii-xxv · Feb 6, 2008

id say you have to have a good working relationship with the aide..then delegate the task within her full knowledge and capability..you dont have to be rude but you have to be firm with your order...be nice and be responsible..if the aide messes up, you mess up as well... right?

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2008

I just ask. I try to remember to use the word "please". And if it's not something that needs to be done right this minute, I let them know by saying "When you have time, could you please do xyz? Thanks!".

al7139, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2008

I am a nurse who worked as an aide while I was in school. There are all types of personalities on a unit, and you must be flexible enough to get along with them to be able to work towards the common goal of good patient care.

Aides are a valuable member of any nursing team. They can tell you if the pt has had a change in vitals, stools, etc. They do the jobs that nobody wants to do. I have aides on my unit that have done this for 20+ years, and I go to them for information. They are NOT unskilled labor, they will save your butt. I never ever ask an aide to do something I won't do myself!

When I started on my unit, like any new kid, I had to earn their respect. After 7 months of work, they know that I appreciate them (I always thank them for their haelp that shift), and will help them if they ask and I am not busy. Plus, helping to bathe or change a total care patient gives me a chance to assess skin, bowels, etc.

If they come to me with a concern, they are usually right on target (i.e. drop in B/P, respirations, sats, etc.), so I don't blow them off.

I have found that giving respect, treating them as part of the care team, and acknowledging their work, makes it easier to delegate tasks to them.

Think about it like this: What would happen if there were no aides?

Scary!

Amy

bethin · Feb 6, 2008

I find alot of aides complain alot and hate their jobs. I usually request not to have an aid. At least i know if the job is done or not. "If you dont like kids dont work at toys r us and if you dont like patients dont work at a hospital

Aides aren't the only ones complaining about their jobs. There are numerous threads on this board about nurses who are overwhelmed with too many patients with too high of acuity, lack of support from management, etc.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 6, 2008

Closed for staff review.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 6, 2008

Thread reopened.

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Ms Kylee · Feb 6, 2008

What she said.
The NAs I've worked with know I would not ask them to do anything I wouldn't do and I will help them. They know I will not walk out of a room and hunt the floor over for an NA just to tell them to go back to that room and place a patient on a bedpan (a personal pet peeve of mine).
I treat NAs with respect, and expect the same in return. And I make it a point to try to thank them for their help during the shift. As I've said before, it's not only the right thing to do but it's selfish on my part as well, because they will go that extra mile and make my life so much easier. Then when there does come a time I can't help them out or I'm swamped with my own duties, I know I can trust them to watch my back.

Emmanuel, I wanna work with you! While I have some great nurses to work with, some are "aide hogs" and won't let you go check on other patients or let you talk to the other nurses that you are working with. And there's one in particular who thinks "delegating" means "doing the crap jobs I can't be bothered to do". She hunted me down one day to tell me to go clamp a patient's Foley and wipe up the urine on the floor. It would have taken her a minute to do this (if that), yet she wasted more time hunting me down. Yes, it is my job, but she has 4 patients. I have 17 on a consistent basis, and I have to take care of all 17, not just her 4. Cannot get this one to buy a clue no matter how hard I try.