a wee question

[nursesaz]

I am going to a nursing home for one of my COE placements. I previously had worked in a nursing home for three years as a carer, my concern is that I fear I will be used as a care assistant.

I understand that I will need to take on chores that care assistants do as these are basic nursing skills, however I fear this particular nursing home will have me act as a care assistant on a perminant basis rather than shadow the staff nurse on her rounds.

Can anyone offer me any advice on my position?

[Fiona59]

Two thought: are you going to a place where you have previously been a paid employee? If so, you can most likely request a change of sites. My programme had a rule against sending a student to a placement where they had previously been employed (you never know what bugs are living under the rocks and if the assessment of the student will be unbiased)

Second, that clinical is usually the first foot in the door for many students so you will be "used as a care aide" for part of the placement. The school wants to know that you are safe and compentent in patient care, irregardless of prior life/work experience.

Good Luck and as I figured out many moons ago, the placement is only xnumber of weeks out of the REST of my life...

[loriangel14, RN]

It probably depends on the teacher and the school. I am currently in a registered practical nursing program in Ontario and this was one of my concerns before my first clinical as well. Having done homecare as a personal support worker for 5 years I certainly didn't need to practice bathing when I could be with my assigned nurse observing the nursing role. I approached the coordinator of the clinicals and asked her about this and was relieved at her answer. She said that the nurses that we had been assigned to had been given instructions that we were to be observing their jobs not the aids jobs, especially those of us who already had personal care experience. I would recommend asking a teacher about what you can expect. Our school also had a policy about not placing anyone at a facility that they had/were working at.

My first clinical experience turned out to be a good one. The nurse I was paired with showed me as much as she could and was very patient.

Relax and enjoy the experience. Best of luck. :)

[nurse_wannabe]

At our nursing home clinicals, we did the jobs of the CNAs. I remember one particularly grueling day spent in the showers bathing/showering patient after patient. Every day I spent there was pure hell, but at least now I have respect for the hard job that the CNAs have (considering of course that they actually do it). I guess as nurses we need to know those skills, and since I had absolutely no medical experience, that was the only way I was going to get them. I have to admit it really ticked me off to be working my a$$ off while the CNAs sat in the breakroom, though.

However, whenever there was some sort of treatment to be given, dressings to change, etc., we usually were all allowed to observe/participate in that and let the aids have their job back.

Like loriangel suggested, you should ask your clinical instructor before you go, AND upon arrival at the facility tell them politely what your duties there are. You'd be amazed at how many people will take advantage of you b/c they know you are a student and want to make a good impression.

Best of luck to you!

[nursesaz]

Thank you all for your replies, nurse_wannabe I will definately be taking up your advice on speaking to the matron/ staff nurse about my duties before I begin my placement :)

Thanks again guys