How to earn the CNA's respect

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I've been starting a lot of topics bc I'm about to start my first nursing job as a charge nurse for a LTC/Rehab facility and I just want to be prepared as possible.

I will have another nurse on the floor with me to turn to, which I am grateful for but this is my first time in a managerial position. (other than being a mother and wife) :)

The truth is, I have my CNA license (got it in 2010) but I never worked as a CNA so I fully acknowledge that I lack the skills they are often responsible for. (ambulating, dressing, bed baths, making an occupied bed, using a bed pan etc.)

I WANT to be able to do these things too, so that I can become more efficient/confident in these "simple" tasks and be a better nurse but how do I approach it w/o seemingly looking like a moron and potentially losing my credibility as an RN (in the eyes of the CNAs)?

I'm humble, admit when I can't do something/don't know something, and I'm not afraid to ask for help....

Are most CNA's receptive to an RN asking for tips/pointers and teaching an RN how to master these things or is this going to bite me the butt now that I'm in the real world of nursing?

Obviously, everyones opinion is going to be different but I'm looking for ideas on YOU would feel about a new RN coming in to your facility with this and any suggestions on how I should approach the CNAs.

I really want to be an RN that has a good rapport with the CNAs bc I am grateful to all of their hard work. I want them to know that I have as much to learn from them as they may from me and be approachable, receptive to their concerns and for them to feel appreciated.

*****And I should say I "know" how to do these things. I'm just not as confident, quick and "smooth" at it.

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Glad you are thinking about this.

- Help out whenever possible. If someone is an easy Assist of 1 and they need to use the bathroom and you have a minute take them. If you're swamped ask the aide, use please and thank you.

- delegate, show you trust them.

- Listen to their concerns. They are the ones who spent more time with the residents. If they approach saying Mrs. X's urine is funky smelling do an assessment.

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

You are approaching this in the best way!!! I always help the CNAs when I can, and I have asked them to SHOW me how they do certain things that I've done for years; however, they have a better or different way. Example, this is my first time in LTC, so I had never transferred people from bed to geri-chair and wondered HOW they do it so easily?!? To me, the handles and length of a Geri-chair make transfers quite awkward, so I just asked.

MOST of the CNAs I work with are very APPRECIATIVE that I ask and help when I can. They tell me too often of nurses who do NOT answer lights, leave a patient wet or soiled, etc..... I tell them I appreciate them, and like any human being, they LIKE to hear that. They are not told that enough!!! I also sometimes throw in that I was a CNA once, too, so I KNOW how hard they work!!!

Occasionally, you might have an aide who will roll their eyes and say something like "ummm......you're a NURSE and you don't know HOW to do this!?!" .....just IGNORE that comment, and calmly explain you didn't encounter this in nursing school and/or , MORE IMPORTANTLY, you want to keep the resident SAFE!!! As we all know, transferring someone from wheelchair to toilet can be VERY tricky and esp. with a hip replacement, etc...HAS to be done correctly.

I HATE it when I get that "tude" of "you should KNOW this.." or, my favorite (said in whispers) "she's makin' the BIG BUCKS and doesn't even KNOW how to....." yea, whatever....I do NOT know it, YOU'VE worked with this sweet resident for weeks, and let's forget our EGOS and do what's best for the RESIDENT, this isn't about my paycheck versus yours, etc....ugh!! don't get me started! LOL!:yuck:

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Question: I just got hired at a LTC facility (New Grad)....I just found out that me and the DON are the only RN's there during the week and the DON is going out of town for a few days ....so I will be then only RN in the building during the week. What happens if state comes in? I'm a new nurse I just got my license on 8/15/13. Plz advise.

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Specializes in Correctional, QA, Geriatrics.
Question: I just got hired at a LTC facility (New Grad)....I just found out that me and the DON are the only RN's there during the week and the DON is going out of town for a few days ....so I will be then only RN in the building during the week. What happens if state comes in? I'm a new nurse I just got my license on 8/15/13. Plz advise.

Turn to your administrator for guidance. That is part of their role. If the adminstrator doesn't know how to answer a question or discuss a concern with a state surveyor call in the regional/corporate nurse. That is also part of their role. Bottom line just breathe. If the state comes in you are not alone.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Not to be picky but....CNAs do NOT have licenses. They have a certification which is a far cry legally from having a license.

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I think you're approaching it the right way, but at the same time it can be a fine line, depending on who your CNAs are. I'm a new grad myself starting out in LTC - it's been 1 month and I have asked my CNA ALOT of questions (I can barely get anyone on the bedpan well enough!!) and she has been helpful of course but I think it has come at the price of her respect for me as a supervisor. But at the same time, she has been known to have a problem with authority and I am just not an in-your-face type of manager either. Basically what I'm saying is just always be thinking about your image with your CNAs, while of course at the same time getting the info you need to help them and your residents when it's needed.

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Specializes in peds, geriatrics, geri-psych.

I am a Nurses Aide, as well as a nursing student. There have been times that I have been the "lead" in the care of a patient with an RN. I don't think that is a bad thing. If the nurse isn't comfortable doing something that I am comfortable doing, I am glad to give tips and pointers. I feel that patient care is a team sport, so to speak.

I am grateful for the hands-on patient care experience I am getting right now...but I realize that not all new nurses have that experience. Like I said, team-work is key. They can teach me while I teach them. It's a win-win situation in my opinion. And the patient benefits as well.

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