Do you find some RNs to be needy?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Hi. I've started a new job as a CNA in the postpartum dept of a large hospital. It's my first CNA job and I've been off orientation now for three weeks. My question for other CNAs is: do you find some of the RNs you aide to be really... "needy?" Like asking you to retake bp every 10 minutes on a patient and paging you every half hour to get so-and-so snacks? I've noticed that some of the RNs I work with are great and then there are some who literally ask me to do every single thing they can. I'm extremely overwhelmed with it. I really do try to say yes to every request, but sometimes I have to tell them it will be 15-30 minutes because I'm still working on the last 4 requests they made of me. Often this doesn't go over well and they either roll their eyes or tell me to hurry up. It's all really simple stuff that they could do like getting a spoon or refilling water. I know they can do it themselves because other RNs do this stuff without dumping it all on me and most of the RNs sit around and talk a good portion of the time while I am running my butt off! It really irritates me! Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

There are nurses who act like that because they have a major superiority complex, but there are also nurses who act like that because they have no idea what you have on your plate already, and finally there are nurses who act that way because they are just as swamped as you are, if not more.

We are only human. I once had the RCM of my unit come to me and flat out say, "They (the floor nurses) will just have to live with the fact that their orthos don't get done." This was a day that we had only two aides instead of our usual four and we were being bombarded by admits (who are all technically 2-person transfers until PT evaluates them the next day.)

Be honest, keep the communication going, and keep working your hardest.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I once had the RCM of my unit come to me and flat out say, "They (the floor nurses) will just have to live with the fact that their orthos don't get done." This was a day that we had only two aides instead of our usual four and we were being bombarded by admits (who are all technically 2-person transfers until PT evaluates them the next day.)

What's an RCM?

Not sure what to think. I understand your unit was bombarded with admissions, but it if was crazy busy for the aides, I can assure you it was for the nurses as well. So, because the aides are "too busy", the nurses have to "deal with it" and take that on as well? The nurses aren't going to let the orthos not get done. They're ordered for a reason.

What happens is that the nurses (who have far more responsibilities with all these admissions than the aides do) now have to figure out how to get it all done... on top of everything thing else. How about instead of "they will just have to live with it", everybody just work harder together to get it all done? Even better, why the hell can't a unit just be staffed properly?

We all have days where it seems impossible, but we all have to figure out how it's all going to get done. We need to be respectful of everyone's time. Nurses who dump anything they can on the aides suck, but so do aides who do the same to nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Until you are a nurse, you have NO idea of the responsibilities that they have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Trauma.

The RCM is the resident care manager, essentially the charge nurse of the unit. I know it sounds horribly disrespectful, but that particular day I was referring to was probably the worst day my facility has ever had. With only 2 aides on a rehab/acute care hall with 40 residents and no help to be called in. The other aide and myself were literally running from one bed/chair alarm to another. I wish we could be staffed properly, but most of the time that is not the case.

On an average day, I'll have around 12 sets of vitals, including 3-4 sets of orthos. I work my hardest to get all my vitals done, but it proves very difficult when there isn't enough staff and I'm pulled away from my vitals because Resident A's alarm is going off, Resident B's screaming from their room that they need to be changed, Resident C keeps hitting their call light demanding a pain pill that isn't due for another 3 hours, and I still need to get Residents D, E, and F out of bed because dinner is going to be there a half an hour early.

I apologize if I came across as rude, that wasn't my intention.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Until you are a nurse, you have NO idea of the responsibilities that they have.

I am a nurse. I am well aware of what responsibilities nurse has. Yes, some nurses are needier then others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Well, my post was directed at the op who is not a nurse, but thanks for playing!!

I am a nurse. I am well aware of what responsibilities nurse has. Yes, some nurses are needier then others.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was answering as a nurse regardless your intended audience. I put myself through nursing school working as an aide so I can definately understand where some of them are coming from. There are nurses who will not assist with adls in any way. There are nurses who the aides barely hear from as well. Now are there times when delegation is necessary? Of course there are. However, are there nurses who abuse this? Absolutely. I would tell the op just do the best you can with what you have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment