How to help my CNAs

[SneakySnake]

l I have been on the job a few weeks and except for the exceptions (admissions, deaths, transfers, indecent reports) I am getting to know my job well. My med passes are within the allotted time frames I am getting my charting and assessments done too.

So, now that I am getting more efficient at my job (if nothing out of the ordinary happens) I would love to be able to help the aids but I am not sure how. For example I give a women all her medication and she says she needs to go potty (or lay down) I tell her to put on her light and I will go find someone to help. I do this because I don't know if this person needs a lift, or a 2 person assist, or what.....I just don't know:o. I also don't know how the aids decide when to get people up or lay them down. I don't want to put someone in bed who is supposed to be up or vice-versa. As you all can probably tell I went straight through with my schooling and never worked as a CNA.

I want to help but I feel lost. I think I should have had an orientation day with the CNAs before I started my nursing orientation! Any suggestions?

Another example "nurse I need my oxygen filled"

Me "ok I would love to help let me find someone for you"

ARRGH I hate not being able to do simple things! I actually asked my nurse I was orienting with to show me how to fill the oxygen and she told me "oh the aids do that". No wonder some of the CNAs think all we nurses know how to do is push pills.....I am feeling the same about myself just about now:uhoh3:

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

must be a former nurse! I notice a lot of people at work announce it, including me, cause if you don't....where is she?!

I annouce it too. Not to the entire unit but if you are doing the "pee-pee dance" to the bathroom ..because you waited too long.. you kinda have to explain.

[nola1202]

[NurseSuzann]

Help your CNAs but I do not mean this to be rude to them, but don't be suprised that once you are consistently helping them all the time and getting a good working rapport that you will be "the one" that they will come to with all the little problems that apparently havent been addressed or have been dismissed by other nurses.

This is somewhat of a privledge, when you become "the nurse to go to" but believe me it will put your work behind when you have to address all of their concerns honestly and fully that others have not. Also be careful, that even if you are rushing trying to get your work done and help out on the floor, that you don't mess up/get behind on your own work! Although I love my job a lot I am realizing that I can help them but they can't help me with charting/giving meds even though many of them could probably chart more fully and completely on the situations than I could. I made my first medication error the other day because I was trying to be a CNA, a medication nurse, and, housekeeper all at the same time during a chaotic day. Ask for help but don't be rude and don't run down a hall to get someone for something you could quickly do yourself, but realize your responsibilities and what is first priority.