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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!
bluehippo
19 Posts
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?