Aids are a blessing to us nurses for what they do, but seriously, some of them on my unit literally run around all day, high speed like they are chasing things, only for filling up water pitchers and getting cups. 20 minutes before the next shift arrives, vitals arent put in, and they are busy filling water pitchers!!!. what am i to do with this situation. when i know im goin to get that nurse that wants to know all the vitals for each patient, and blah blah blah even when they are stable. I told the aid, hey can you get those vitals in, she responds ok, ill get them in as soon as possible, i just have to get these water pitchers filled. How can I sit them down and have them chart the vitals without actually having to grab them by the arm or hair and drag them to the computer and monitor them fill it in. I mean, the health care field is really annoying. Just vented!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was a nurse's aide at a hospital. It's true that the nurses I worked with did not take into consideration all of the other demands placed on aides. But to answer the OP directly, the vitals were always taken at the correct time, just not always charted right away. I made it my practice that when I got an abnormal vital sign, I would press the call light and relay the message to the unit secretary to relay to the patient's nurse (we had message beepers the secretaries could contact us with, but we couldn't text each other directly). This also let the patient know I was taking their pain level or their low heart rate seriously. I tried to do the hand off of papers but I was always worried that the nurse wouldn't see the paper or it would get lost. Calling it in seemed best.
I appreciate the aides, I think they do the tough work, i mean its amazing. you have to have the heart to do the things they do. its so much work, I just wished they would communicate effectively.
I appreciate the aides, I think they do the tough work, i mean its amazing. you have to have the heart to do the things they do. its so much work, I just wished they would communicate effectively.
i just noticed you're the same one who posted about "your aide" grabbing your hand.
it seems to me that YOU might be the one who has an issue with the aides.
authority trip, maybe? i don't know.
it's just odd that all of your posts are complaints about the aides. if they are so useless then maybe you should just care for "your patients" by yourself.
Taking the vitals yourself or helping pass the water... is NOT the answer. Doing their job for them will take time away from your RN duties.
Look at the job description of the assistant... it reads "Under the direction of a registered nurse".
You have to direct them into the proper work flow. If they refuse your direction, may sure your manager is aware.
If the manager can't get them directed, they need to be written up.
Of course I will pass water, place a bedpan, take vitals... if I feel my patient needs another set.
But to take over their work, simple because they don't follow direction is not appropriate.
Yes, no one comes to do my work. I don't give out meds or assessments because the dr is nice to me and helps. I do it because it is my job. Some of them really do not know what is a priority. Vitals being put in timely is a priority.
I'm always amazed by the stupidity of aides (and even some nurses) who make up vitals by writing 120/80 and RR20 (or whatever) EVERY single time.
I mean, if you're going to lie, at least change it up a little. Throw a
136/78 or something in there for crying out loud! :)
Maybe it is me being naive, but people REALLY fake vitals? Oh my word. That is one of the most absurd (and terrifying) things I've heard in a while. The lack of morals and sense today astonishes me! Why on earth.. I mean really folks. And those who do obviously shouldn't be in healthcare. That is unacceptable. I seriously can't believe this..
I've looked at other posts started by the OP, maybe you just need to get away from nursing? Maybe it's not "you" and it's making you unhappy? Almost every post I saw from you was about you hating nursing, and posts about nurses bullying. Staying with a career that doesn't make you happy and makes you depressed, just because you went to school for it, isn't the logical thing to do. I'm obviously only a nursing student, but that's just my 0.02 on it, not that you'll care. Best of luck to you and I hope you find some happiness!! God bless.
On my unit, it's us nurses running around pouring drinks for people and getting them snacks all the time. And that's on top of everything we as nurses have to do. The CNAs are pretty good about getting the vitals in on time but they don't tend to take that extra step and go over and beyond. I don't know... I think it's just my unit because I worked other places where the techs were more than willing to help out.
Falsifying vitals doesn't shock me, but after 15 years in healthcare nothing really does. Most CNA's/techs do a phenomenal job with the minimal training and education they have received. I was a CNA in nursing school. It's hard work for low pay.
I see and hear a lot of "us vs. them" in healthcare and it saddens me. Taking care of the patient is "my job.". Despite the many initials behind my name, I'm not too good, or educated, or important to empty a bedpan, fill a pitcher, or push a mop if that's what it takes to make the patient healthy, happy, or comfortable. Or to make sure my teammates aren't drowning.
Nurses with ADNs complain about BSNs, they about MSNs, they PhDs. Bedside v charge nurse , charge vs manager, her about administration and Everyone complains about "corporate". Until I've spent a day in someone else's crocs I can't appreciate the full scope of what they do in a shift.
hmmm well I can't pass my meds until I have my vitals,,I need to see temps, HR's *BPs and *O2 sats,,don't you? By the time I'm done with report I have a copy of VS waiting for me.. if you don't, you should,, This should be job one for your aid, and if it isn't you need to direct them to understand WHY it's in the top 3 of what they need to do.. "I can't give BP meds unless I know my guys BP, I needO2 sats to know if they need their PRN SVN" ASAP..yesterday I walked off report to a pt w 02 sats of 83% ,,notified Dr, had orders for o2 , svns scheduled and stat cxr w.in 5 minutes ,,,her sats were fine for am shift,, can you imagine how hypoxic she would have become if my VS were done toward end of shift? Ways to get them involved..make sure your CNAs know they are important,,give them report, have objectives for the shift,,and hey a bag of kettle corn and strawberries wth marshmallow fruit dip never hurts anyones feelings
True story. Did 3 nights agency at a LTCF. First 2 nights, cna's were great, promptly got vitals. Bp's were wnl. Not concerned. They used a manual bp cuff on wheels. Third night. I have to get a bp on someone. I used the bp cuff that they had just used to get all of their vitals with.. The bp cuff didn't even work. I went out to my car and got mine and did more bp's. They weren't even close. It was as if they just made up some random number for vitals. Scary.
TopazLover, BSN, RN
1 Article; 728 Posts
See, and I thought you were talking about assitance, with lifts or something, rather than assistants.