LPN forced to work as CNA

[jg24]

My facility is having so much trouble keeping CNAs that they started asking LPNs to come in and work as a CNA. I don't have a problem with this as long as it is a voluntary thing. Now they have had a LPN come in on her regular shift only to find out that she had to work as a CNA. I don't want to work as a CNA. Don't get me wrong, I admire our CNAs and don't mind changing people and helping out, but I don't think I could handle doing it for a 12 hour shift. I have never been a CNA. Any opinions?

[Fiona59]

A very expensive route to obtain CNA coverage.

I've done it the odd time over the years but only when I've been told prior to agreeing to coming in.

[caliotter3]

I've preferred working as a CNA over no work at all. Comes in handy when the livimg quarters in the car get too cramped.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I was "CNA for a day" once and actually found it pretty relaxing. The thought of it stressed me out at first, though. CNAs have their own routines and most nurses are unfamiliar with how their days are structured.

I'm not sure how I feel about nurses being "forced" to be CNAs, though. It is a different role than the one applied for and hired for. I'd also be scared to be CNA at a facility that can't retain any CNAs. Why are they all leaving?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Anything a CNA can do, an LPN or an RN can do as well. And I agree with caliotter that it beats being told to stay home because they don't need a nurse, and then those nurses that aren't called off have to work without the help of a CNA.

[CaliBoy760]

To be clear, you are an LPN performing the duties of a CNA. You are NOT a CNA. That said, I agree that it's a pretty expensive way to keep staffing levels up. Doesn't your facility have a contract with a local agency to staff call-off's and no-shows?

[NOADLS]

That's a good way to lose LPN's. If they have trouble keeping their CNA's, putting LPN's in a spot where they have an undesirable job would also put their willingness to work at risk. You don't solve a CNA shortage by throwing your LPN's under the bus. Then you'll have a LPN shortage which you'll then need to throw your RN's under the bus. This facility sounds like a place where the problems are compounded on and not solved.

[NurseQT]

I've been pulled off the floor to help the unit clerks before.. I spent an entire 8 hour shift scanning resident's hard copies of lab/x-ray results, ect. I was not a happy camper.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Couple of times i was reassigned as LPN to do CNA positon nights on 32 bed Surgical unit ..wishing I had roller skates. Relief from 14 bed Telemetry unit as sole LPN + one CNA-- relief from hearing vent and monitor alarms.

[rrlpn]

welcoem to my world im an lpn and every time i come to work i am refered to as just an aide and made to do cna work.. its ********

[eeffoc_emmig]

I worked at an LTC facility that repeatedly tried to do that to the nurses. Some didn't mind...however I did since I was very pregnant so I refused and just went home.

[Mandychelle79, ASN, RN]

Ive been pulled from my unit ( psych) to do CNA duties on our TCU unit. I figured if they were willing to pay me my normal wages, I was willing to do the work ( but I did work as a CNA prior to becoming an RN)