Senior CNA's on your unit?

KLS · Aug 30, 2003

checking to see if there were any responses yet thank you

Brownms46 · Sep 1, 2003

Remember you asked..:) I think it's a bad idea, and here is why. First I want to say, that laziness isn't only among CNA's...period.

In places where I have seen this type of structure, the "promoted" CNA then became the problem. Also Leadershp for some is a learned capability, and not a natural one. As we all know, those who seemed like they would make great CN or Supervisiors, soon forgot what it was like to be one of the Indians. The CNA's who were once great workers, than started to slack off, and when they had to work out on the floor as one of the worker bees, they didn't want to.

One "Lead"/"Senior" CNA was on the floor, and refused to do VS, or really much of anything but answer the phone in the NS. This "Lead" CNA also decided one day, she would tell ME what I should do before I left the facility. Needless to say she only did this ONCE!

If your unit is planning to do this, I would be VERY careful in who I selected, and some strong guidelines on proper execution of her/his new job description would be in order. I also found it lead to some resentment on the part of those who aren't picked.

So maybe a vote on who the CNAs thought would be the best person for the job, might help prevent this probelm from even happening. Or at least some input from them.

Good Luck with this:)!

azgirl · Sep 1, 2003

One place I worked did this and promoted people who had been there the longest. The same people who took report at 2:15p and then went to the smoking area until 4:00p. As a CNA lead they didn't perform any better and the good ones left.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 1, 2003

I'm a senior CNA due to having one year of LPN schooling. Ayone with extra training can qualify be a senior CNA at our facility. This does not give me the authority to tell other CNA's what to do, the title simply means i am allowed to do a few more things. It has not been a problem, and our facility has had this for over 10 years.

Brownms46 · Sep 1, 2003

Originally posted by azgirl
One place I worked did this and promoted people who had been there the longest. The same people who took report at 2:15p and then went to the smoking area until 4:00p. As a CNA lead they didn't perform any better and the good ones left.

That is why I was saying that it's depends on how this is done, as to whether it works or not. Since I haven't seen it work well, I didn't personally care for the idea. Too bad the place you worked at, didn't do a good job of picking the right persons for the position.

Todd SPN · Sep 1, 2003

I have worked under this scenario twice as a CNA and both times it turned out terrible. The senior CNAs had no idea how to manage and delighted in barking orders and expecting us to jump. Well, it doesn't work that way. So the senior CNA that has the ear of the nursing staff because of the title starts whispering untruths. Because the nurses are busy they don't check to see if it is true, instead take the word of the senior titled CNA. No CNA deserves unfair treatment and just about all of them know they can quit and be at work at another facility the following week. And that is what happened. I think there is a reason why nurses oversee CNAs and I think that is the way it should be.

Agnus · Sep 1, 2003

As a former CNA and as an RN I have seen this used in a few places.

My observations boild down to this. In the vast majority of cases CNAs do not have the skill and knowledge to carry out a position like this. Even the very best CNA doesn't make a good candidate for a position like this.

And if you do get lucky there will be someone who resents another CNA in such a position.

Not worth the trouble in my opinion. It sounds like you want to make the good CNAs tattle taler. Do your own observing it will carry more water if you can honestly say you saw such and such not the senior cna saw such and such. Second hand knowlege is hearsay and will not hold up if you disapline. If you think you have strife now try what you are proposing. Don't put your good CNA's in a position where they must watch thier co workers. That is what supervision is and they do not have the training for it.

I understand you are trying to make part of your job easier but I don't think this is the solution.

KLS · Sep 3, 2003

Originally posted by Agnus
It sounds like you want to make the good CNAs tattle taleer. I understand you are trying to make part of your job easier but I don't think this is the solution.

Thank you all for your replies

Agnus, I dont know why it "sounded" like that to you at all. You don't know me. As you have said when others have disagreed with you or some idea you had..."you dont know me or from whence I came" or something to that effect. If you don't want people judging you without knowing you, please refrain from doing the same to others.

snoogans · Sep 3, 2003

We tried this in our facility. Never worked. No one knew who was boss. The lead aids suddenly began deligating what was not theirs to deligate

Agnus · Sep 4, 2003

I am truly sorry. I did not mean this as an acusation nor judgement. It was just a personal observation nothing more. I made it because sometimes observations of others can be helpful. It it doesn't fit or feel right don't use it. Evidently, I don't understand what you want the senior cna to do.

I will bow out as my remarks are abrasive and not helping.

Again my apology.

Agnus · Sep 4, 2003

sorry I did not mean to post twice. My server disconected and I thought the first post did not take. So I edited out the first.