How should a student nurse approach an uncooperative CNA for help?

[bluehippo]

I'm in the last semester of nursing school. CNAs at all of the hospitals I've been at have been extremely helpful to me. Prior to the past few weeks, I have been responsible for total patient care of one or two patients. The past few weeks, I have been responsible for only medications on five patients.

One patient's g tube connection leaked twice. The first time the RN, who is ultimately responsible for the patient, fixed it. (I'm not trying to push off responsibility from me, I just needed help because I had no experience with g tubes leaking and the different connecting parts). It leaked again. This time another RN found the right equipment and really fixed it. I definitely wanted to change and clean up the patient but did not have the time so I was going to go find the CNA and ask her to do it. The RN said nicely that I should do it because the CNAs don't like it when they are asked to clean up the patient again.

I'm going to approach my instructor about this matter the next time I'm at clinical. I'm curious as to what others would suggest I do in this situation. I'm a student so I'm a 'guest' at this hospital. I don't want to make waves, and I, of course, will need their help in the future.

What are some of your thoughts and suggestions?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I would grab gloves and a soapy washcloth and wipe off the guy's belly.

[student_nurse24]

You wouldn't happen to go to Lamar Univ? Sounds alot like my class.

[BrookeRN2006]

As both a nurse and a clinical instructor, I recommend not saying anything to either staff or your instructor about the CNA. You are still a student and are not a hospital employee. The CNA definitely has senority over you.

Just take 5 mins, wash off his wet spot, and change the guys gown! Half the time, when you are an RN, the CNA's don't have time to help anyway!

[HyperSaurus, RN, BSN]

How does this describe an 'uncooperative CNA"? The RN told you, nicely, that it would be better for you to do it.

Just clean the guy and be on your way. There is nothing untoward going on here, so there would be nothing to address.

[caliotter3]

It takes less time and effort to do the task yourself than to find someone else who is willing to and accepts responsibility for the task. You will find plenty of time to ask the CNAs to do things should you accept a position as a staff nurse at that hospital.

[Rednights]

You have to do it yourself if the CNA doesn't want to help, your prof is going to nail you for "time management." The minute you start giving orders as a nursing student and your prof finds out, you're in a world of trouble.

[bluehippo]

Thanks

[rachelgeorgina]

I'm curious, why couldn't you do it?

[itsmejuli]

How was the CNA uncooperative?

In clinicals if time was running short and something needed doing quickly I'd grab another student to help me. In our clinical group we all worked as a team to help each other out.