does this drive anyother CNA nuts?

hookyarnandblanket · Apr 28, 2015

The common sense things are just that: Common sense. But, when it comes to transfers with a gait belt, operating lifts, taking *accurate* vitals, and measuring I and O, and recognizing behaviors and dealing *appropriately*, you are spot on.

allnurses Guide · Apr 28, 2015

No, it's not rocket science, but what the heck is so wrong about having standards?

CNA's are dealing with some of the most fragile and vulnerable people in our society.

CNA's are hands-on responsible for their well-being!

So, surely, a person off the street could be taught on the fly that they have to turn a bed-bound pt every 2 hours (or less!)... but are they necessarily taught the why behind it?

They can be trained by an experienced aide... but how good is that aide? How well do they teach?

Standards... gotta have 'em, and one is more likely to get that higher standard of learning in a reputable learning environment.

One can learn the tasks, but they need to learn the why...

*What will happen if stroke symptoms are not immediately recognized and reported?

*What will happen if you don't turn a thin, fragile old lady for hours at a time?

*Why do you look at stools? That icky stool that looks like someone ate a can of coffee grounds... what can that mean and why do you need to report it? Or small hard round balls of stool... sure the pt had a BM, but what can that mean?

*Someone hasn't urinated for 8 hours? Could be nice because you didn't have to change the brief, but it's a problem... why?

*You have 10 pt's to do vitals on and your first pt has a BP of 210/100. Maybe you should stop right there and report it to the nurse now instead of waiting until you're done with all the vitals... why?

I could go on and on, but I'm preaching to the choir.

If someone does not want to put in the effort to take a (pretty easy) 6 week class, then I can't imagine they would necessarily put forth much effort at the job itself. It's not for the lazy and unmotivated.

If the cost of the class (about $700 around here) is too much, I get it... but if you really want to do this, you'll figure out how you'll pay for it.

I always get on a tangent with this subject!

I loved CNA work, I love CNA's and I just hate the thought of folks not treating it as serious as it should.

Forgive the rant :bored:

mvm2 · Apr 28, 2015

Yes yes yes exactly how I was feeling. Thank you both for validating how I feel about our CNA jobs.

Also being a HH CNA there are maybe a few things that the LTC CNAs do on a daily bases that I am not doing, but being in HH I always am having to make sure my client is OK. Assessing them daily and if I feel anything is going on I call the nurse right away. I had to learn some of these cues and things to watch for. They are not all second nature and my class helped me learn what I needed to know to be the care giver they need.

mirandaaa · Apr 28, 2015

I didn't know it was even legal to take the CNA test without taking the class!

Where I'm from, you were required to take so many hours of in-class and clinical setting learning before being allowed to test.

But yes, I definitely agree that it's aggravating. The other thing that really grinds my gears is when people think that all we do is "wipe a**" all the time. No, there is definitely much more to being a CNA than cleaning up after urination/defecation.

Missingyou, CNA · Apr 30, 2015

A few days ago my hall mate (in LTC)was a new CNA on the job for 3 months. She asked me to help her do a complete bed change with a resident who was difficult to move.

I was glad to help.

When we get to changing the fitted bed sheet, she starts doing it the hard way! I couldn't figure what she thought she was doing so I asked....she said she had NO IDEA :bag: and that she hadn't done a complete bed change outside of CNA class.

I showed her how to do it and she was surprised it was much easier!!

.........I guess my point is, yes, CNA's should have training...it isn't as easy as it looks. Anyone who thinks that way... never actually worked a shift in our position. .....go ahead, I dare you to try it! :jester:

AND

there is the classroom and then there is real life.

Glycerine82, LPN · May 1, 2015

No, it's not rocket science, but what the heck is so wrong about having standards?
CNA's are dealing with some of the most fragile and vulnerable people in our society.
CNA's are hands-on responsible for their well-being!
So, surely, a person off the street could be taught on the fly that they have to turn a bed-bound pt every 2 hours (or less!)... but are they necessarily taught the why behind it?
They can be trained by an experienced aide... but how good is that aide? How well do they teach?
Standards... gotta have 'em, and one is more likely to get that higher standard of learning in a reputable learning environment.
One can learn the tasks, but they need to learn the why...
*What will happen if stroke symptoms are not immediately recognized and reported?
*What will happen if you don't turn a thin, fragile old lady for hours at a time?
*Why do you look at stools? That icky stool that looks like someone ate a can of coffee grounds... what can that mean and why do you need to report it? Or small hard round balls of stool... sure the pt had a BM, but what can that mean?
*Someone hasn't urinated for 8 hours? Could be nice because you didn't have to change the brief, but it's a problem... why?
*You have 10 pt's to do vitals on and your first pt has a BP of 210/100. Maybe you should stop right there and report it to the nurse now instead of waiting until you're done with all the vitals... why?
I could go on and on, but I'm preaching to the choir.
If someone does not want to put in the effort to take a (pretty easy) 6 week class, then I can't imagine they would necessarily put forth much effort at the job itself. It's not for the lazy and unmotivated.
If the cost of the class (about $700 around here) is too much, I get it... but if you really want to do this, you'll figure out how you'll pay for it.
I always get on a tangent with this subject!
I loved CNA work, I love CNA's and I just hate the thought of folks not treating it as serious as it should.
Forgive the rant

*muah*

THIS

This is why I think that the classes should be MORE involved, the pay should be higher (Those states where it's wayyyy low, like mine) and the selection much more selective.

allnurses Guide · May 1, 2015

*muah*
THIS
This is why I think that the classes should be MORE involved, the pay should be higher (Those states where it's wayyyy low, like mine) and the selection much more selective.

I agree, but the problem is that if it were more selective with higher pay, places like LTC would staff even worse than they already do. CNA's are meant to be cheaper help and that cheaper help is readily available because the standards are low enough that even the laziest and almost stupidest person can do it. It's about $$$$.

I remember I worked in one place (oh, so briefly!) that pretty much scraped the bottom of the barrel for their aides. It was disturbing.

kwood1989 · May 7, 2015

I think that it should not be allowed to challenge the test. They need to set for the class time where you learn the standards of the field. Its absolutely imperative for residents care for the person to know the things tough in the class. I will not be braking any dentures due to no protective barriers being in place. I will also know my place as a part of the care team also and what to say if someone attempts to tell me to do something I am not trained for or not in my job description.

Animal House R.N., ADN, CNA, LVN · May 9, 2015

I am an LVN now but once was a CNA, and I agree with ya'll completely. In LTC without good aides a nurses life can be a misery.