Don't be that Nurse

IsmeAmanda, LPN · Feb 24, 2015

I work in LTC with CNA's and I'm a new nurse but I'm courteous to all my CNA's since that was me for 3 years. I try to complement my residents on the care. Like my CNA took the time to french braid a ladys hair and put her makeup on. With the 2 there I said "wow jane! You look so beautiful, molly styled your hair gorgeous!"

It makes the residents feel good and I acknowledge the CNA took more effort than just getting them out of bed and doing nothing with them.

Also if you need hoyer help, call me we'll get that puppy sorted!

NYVANC cna · Feb 24, 2015

I AGREE. What is wrong with team work? My job is easier, their job is easier, patient satisfaction is increased and so is moral. If everyone did said job we all would be perfect. Nursing is a beast in all aspects added negativity makes it worst. Isn't enough we have too many management personal telling us about jobs they don't, can't and won't do. We need to work as a team amongst ourselves so our shifts runs smoothly and necessary things get done. I can HOPE and have FAITH!!!

TriecyJay · Feb 25, 2015

I agree as well. I've been a CNA for almost 3 yrs. What I've noticed majority of the times with the RNs that complain about helping out their CNAs, or just flat out refuse to, were NEVER in our shoes.

Not saying they look down on our job scope, but rather implying that they sometimes feel the RN after their name PREVENTS them from such task. Heck, even some of the RNs that have been our shoes feel the same way. (You know the CNAs who's main purpose to even get their LVN or RN so they don't have to wipe *** anymore) Grrrrr!! Lol. (-_-')

But seriously though, I feel every RN program should require a minimum of 1yr, actively working, CNA experience before accepting an applicant. Just my $0.02 though. :)

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Feb 25, 2015

I was a CNA for 5 years in facilities and home care, it's a hard hard job but it's still much harder being a nurse and unfortunately you are there to assist us. Sadly some nurses take advantage of that. For me at least I try to do what I can but I have more important things to do sometimes.

CNAEdd29 · Feb 25, 2015

I get that. But sometimes we need help with things too. Seriously, we can't do everything ourselves, like taking care of 33 patients, which I've done before. It's impossible. Teamwork is a must in nursing. That's my opinion. I know that sometimes nurses ARE busy with other things and there's nothing they can do, or they flat out don't want to do the dirty work. Like I said on the post, there's nothing we can do about it. Yep, sometimes it's a *****.

empatheticRN · Feb 25, 2015

You ever had that one nurse, or group of nurses who expect you to do everything? Even if you had a whole floor to yourself with 15 patients, for example. Did they expect you to do anything with little help. Of course, there's always gonna be people like that.
I'm certain I'm not the only one, but I'm sure that most CNAS deal with people like that. it's hard, but here's the truth. There's nothing we can really do about it. That's the reality.
Yes, nurses have more responsibility and liability than us. YES, they have more education. But here's a question. What's wrong with a little help?
I'm not talking about help for little things, but big things that we can't do even if we think we can. For those things to work, sometimes we need your help. Yes, if there's other cna's on the shift, it wouldn't be much of an issue. But if we can't do it on our own, then we need your help.
With my experiences, I've had so many nurses go out of there way to help me. I've had some who didn't, and even if they did, they would get pissy with me. The point is, anything a nurse does to help, is really appreciative to me because i know that i can trust that person. What makes it more better is when a nurse will completely go out of their way just to help me, which happened to me many times also.
We all have our own jobs to do. To the "Nurses" who has a problem with that, I get that. But, please don't say that in a comment because you're just making yourself look bad. I really don't want to hear it. If you don't agree with me, be respectful or don't say a word. We all have our own opinions.
To the CNAs out there, comment and tell me if your agree or not. Thank you.

I'm a RN and I understand. I worked as a CNA/PCT while in nursing school. Trust me I sucked at it. Getting the vitals, blood sugar, answering call bells and cleaning poop is hardwork. I would go home with my aching feet and cry to my mom. There would be several nurses that would try to pull you in every direction and if you don't meet some needs, then you are considered lazy. I currently work in a hospital and at a nursing home. I help in whatever ways I can, Like emptying a Foley, putting someone on the bed pan or filling the water pitcher. I find it easier to work with my aids at the hospital with my 4-6 patients but at the nursing home, I'm not able to with 25-30 patients in sub acute rehab or 50-60 in long term care. I feel really bad about it since most nursing home patients require complete care. I know there are lazy nurses but job load sometimes doesn't give you a chance to lend a hand

Nurse Leigh · Feb 25, 2015

I get that. But sometimes we need help with things too. Seriously, we can't do everything ourselves, like taking care of 33 patients, which I've done before. It's impossible. Teamwork is a must in nursing. That's my opinion. I know that sometimes nurses ARE busy with other things and there's nothing they can do, or they flat out don't want to do the dirty work. Like I said on the post, there's nothing we can do about it. Yep, sometimes it's a *****.

Are you an RN or LPN? It doesn't sound like you are. If not you should change your name. Also, do you realize how many nurses have 5, 6, 7, or even 8+ patients who are acutely I'll and have no techs or CNAs to assist them? I rarely had a tech on my floor my last few months in the hospital and I had 6 pts and I was charge. Trust me when I say we don't feel above performing ADLs but we are so busy with so many things. A good tech was such a (rare) blessing I appreciated much.

CNAEdd29 · Feb 25, 2015

No, im not a nurse and just found out that i cant "use" it as a title name. I'm sure that many others do so as well. I can see from your point of view, but when a tech has a WHOLE floor with nurses who may not help, it's a big problem. Most nurses will tell you to do this and do that while your doing something else. And then something else happens like a patient falling in another room while I''m doing something else important. There's so much a CNA can do by themselves, but NOT everything. It's not only dangerous to the CNA, but to the patients as well. It may be hard having a a group of patients to yourself, but try 22 or 33. Yeah, it's impossible for one person to to it all by themselves. And if you only have one tech, it's only good for you guys to boss them around with. Sorry, but that's how it works. I wish it didn't though

TriecyJay · Feb 25, 2015

She's not saying all RNs never help. She's not even implying that all RNs aren't busy so they could help. She's just stating that there are times when help is really needed. And that there are times when SOME RNs are taking advantage of us and requesting this and that, when they themselves are perfectly capable of doing the task themselves at that time, when we're short handed and our workload Is already doubled.

Why should she change her name? That's very irrelevant to the topic. You, nor myself, know why she uses that name. It could be in memory of someone... Never assume. @NurseLeigh

TriecyJay · Feb 25, 2015

Lmbo!! You freaking posted your rant before I did...

Nurse Leigh · Feb 25, 2015

It is against TOS to use nurse in your name when you haven't legally earned the right to do so. That is not an assumption.

Thanks for changing your name. :)