LPN working as CNA

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Can an on-call nurse be forced to work as a CNA? My administrator is demanding that the on-call staff (I am part of the on call rotation) fill in as CNA's. This is not about me thinking I'm better than the CNA's, but the fact is, I'm not a CNA and have never worked as a CNA. I don't believe I can physically do the work at least not without a proper orientation period, which isn't being offered. In addition, when I was in nursing school we were discouraged from ever working in an unlicensed capacity once we were licensed.

Has anyone else had to deal with this, and if so, how did you handle it?

Specializes in geriatrics.

Because a person sent me a copy of the reply post they made to my e-mail, and was very defensive about not working as a cna . I myself was not offended.

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.
Because a person sent me a copy of the reply post they made to my e-mail, and was very defensive about not working as a cna . I myself was not offended.

Someone PM'd you a reply? I was reading and saw that you apologized from the other post and there was only one post in between your two and the middle one didn't seem upset.

I didn't think your post was offensive.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

I recall working on shift where I was supposed to be the lone aide for 37pts, and they asked a nurse if she'd mind being an aide. I loved it, not just because I had left work, but it was interesting because she had to admit after getting vitals on 20 pts, bathroom trips, call lights, and blood sugars, that this job is not as easy at it looks. It truly gave her a perspective about aide work.

BTW: I did have to "teach" her my job. The frightening thing about my old facility was RN's didn't know how to do blood sugars (I always argued what were they going to do it there's a code/suspected hypoglycemia and I'm not around?)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Thank you .... Maybe I took the post personal because it was sent to my contact e-mail address in addition to the reg post ,it was the one right my orig post.But thanks it was very nice of you .

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As far as properly being trained, I think your RN training qualifies you for CNA duties.

Actually, no. In LTC, there are few pieces of equipment (hoyer life, sit to stand) that I didn't learn in nursing school. I was a PCT in the hospital before being a nurse and we didn't use that equipment. I've been shown it by the other CNAs once or twice, but I've asked to be properly inserviced and its never happened. As for just your run-of-the-mill pt personal care, well, yeah that's taught in nursing school.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Actually, no. In LTC, there are few pieces of equipment (hoyer life, sit to stand) that I didn't learn in nursing school. I was a PCT in the hospital before being a nurse and we didn't use that equipment. I've been shown it by the other CNAs once or twice, but I've asked to be properly inserviced and its never happened. As for just your run-of-the-mill pt personal care, well, yeah that's taught in nursing school.

But, is the hoyer lift being taught in CNA school? Sounds like it's an OTJ learned skill. Therefore, being a nurse in the same facility as the CNA should indeed be enough training to perform the same tasks.

And it's not that difficult to get a quick 5 minute training on any equipment that you are uncomfortable with...

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But, is the hoyer lift being taught in CNA school?quote]

? I don't know?

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.
Actually, no. In LTC, there are few pieces of equipment (hoyer life, sit to stand) that I didn't learn in nursing school. I was a PCT in the hospital before being a nurse and we didn't use that equipment. I've been shown it by the other CNAs once or twice, but I've asked to be properly inserviced and its never happened. As for just your run-of-the-mill pt personal care, well, yeah that's taught in nursing school.

I agree with you...I didn't really have too many opportunities to learn to use equipment when I went through school. Getting your LPN or RN degree really is just a degree that allows you to start in the nursing profession. It doesn't mean you are 100% compentent in everything nursing related. After the degree there must be a lot of on the job training. Hopefully through clinicals you get some but not every clinical can offer every student the ability to learn everything. It takes time to learn technical skills.

I think it is the responsibility of the LPN or RN to speak up and say to the aide...hey, I don't know how to use that equipment and you do...can you teach me? I do this at work and sure at first the aides look at me kinda funny, but than they say sure... I'll show you. And many times I can return the favor. If the the CNA is a nursing student or they need to demonstrate other compentencies... they will ask me to show them something and I am more than happy to show them and explain the rationale. It is about teamwork and utilizing each others strengths to improve one another which ultimately benefits the resident/patient.

I am a newbie RN with a BSN and I will ask for help. I do not pretend to know everything. You want theory? Then I'm your guy. You want nursing considerations, implications, and intervention...I can help. I have a higher education but with certain things a lower skill set. And I am OK with admitting that because I am proactive in learning from people who are willing to teach.

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