Does this sound funny to you?

Published

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

A woman was recently hired at my facility as a CNA student. She says that she was an LVN in ICU 20 some-odd years ago. But, she doesn't know what a foley is, she doesn't know basic infection control, and the stuff she says with authority, she has heard either myself or a nurse say. I don't know what to think, but it sounds very very odd to me.

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A woman was recently hired at my facility as a CNA student. She says that she was an LVN in ICU 20 some-odd years ago. But, she doesn't know what a foley is, she doesn't know basic infection control, and the stuff she says with authority, she has heard either myself or a nurse say. I don't know what to think, but it sounds very very odd to me.

Basic infection control? hmmm...well, maybe. Infection control did get a huge boost at the beginning of the AIDs epidemic, so that might have been just before her time...

But not knowing what a foley is? I don't really remember now, but I think I learned what a foley was while I was still an ER clerk...

NurseFirst

(Before the AIDS epidemic, hardly anyone wore gloves, except in surgery or doing other sterile procedures...)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

20 some odd years ago isnt that long ago. Could be the AIDS thing is the difference. I had a aunt that was a nursing supervisor in the 70's and i remember her telling us she didnt use gloves even with the AIDs patients(that was just as dx was being made) because she felt it isolated the patients and made them feel untouchable. She did change her ways quickly, but im sure "infection control" "universal precautions werent as controlled then as it is now. The catheter thing, thats another story,, not sure what to make of that one.

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Sure sounds like something stinks here! If she was an LPN 20 years ago, what happened that she is a CNA student now? I'm pretty sure they would have had Foley's in the ICU even 20 years ago. :uhoh21:

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Something smells fishy to me! Back in the late 60's as a Candystriper I knew what a catheter was, and later as a CNA, before the RN. Maybe some dementia has set in and she's loosing her short term memory?

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Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.

We learned about foleys in CNA school. Sounds kinda funny to me also.

Angelia

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doesn't your state require certification...all aides/orderlies must present certificate to don on application for employment...do they fingerprint health workers in your state...she may be an identify thief....someone in authority needs to follow up on this

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warning only distantly related to the subject:

I have a road near me called Foley Drive. I crack up everytime I drive by, picturing everyone in the neighborhood walking around with leg-bags....

OK, I'm easily amused.

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If I had been an LPN in ICU 20 years ago, and was now a CNA student, don't think I would be telling anyone. I mean, she must have lost her license somehow, no? And anyone who can become an LPN without knowing what a foley is has to be doubted. Although I don't think there are LPN's in other countries (could be totally mistaken on that) could she be from another country and perhaps she was considered a "practical nurse" there?

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OK, 20 years ago is only 1984....not the dark ages with knights and castles.

Sounds like there is something fishy to me.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.

VizslaMom: You're right, it wasn't that long ago......I have fond memories of 1984...:chuckle

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Strange, very strange.

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