LPN working as a CNA?

[LPN9200]

First off, I've been a lurker on here since I began nursing school but recently became a member. I graduated this summer and quickly took my NCLEX and got licensed in August. Prior to becoming an LPN I worked as a CNA/Med tech for 3, almost 4 years at another facility so when I say this I want to stress that I absolutely do not think that CNA work is "beneath me" or that I shouldn't have to do those things. But here goes my actual question. I've worked as an LPN at a very nice LTC facility a little ways from my house. When I interviewed it was initially for a FT float position in which they said I would most likely float to the same two floors on their main nurses days off. Day 2 of

orientation and I was "thrown to the wolves" required to do a full med pass on a hall I never worked but I survived and even got praise for how well I did. I eventually oriented on the two floors I was supposed to float to. I've now been off orientation for 2 weeks and I've yet to work as an LPN. They consistently schedule me to work as a CNA to cover call offs. That's not why I went to school. I don't mind helping the CNAs and I don't mind occasionally picking up shifts as a CNA for overtime or if they need it but that's literally what I'm being scheduled for and its SO frustrating. Is this a common theme in LTC or is just a sign of a bad facility? Am I overreacting and need a reality check? I truly don't know. Forgive me if I'm coming across in a poor way. I am just bummed that I spent a year in school, thousands of dollars and I'm still doing the same thing I did prior to nursing school.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Welcome to AN! Here's an older thread kind of along the same lines that you can read. Being scheduled to work as a CNA when that isn't what you were hired for, especially without a discussion and agreement, sounds like a place that is poorly managed.

[nursehaley91, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much. I didn't realize there was a previous thread :)

[Bear92, BSN, PhD, RN]

Dear LPN9200 you are not alone in that. In fact I know an RN in a small LTC unit who is also scheduled to fill in as CNA one day a week to make sure she gets her full time hours. She is still paid as an RN as I'm sure you still receive your LPN pay while doing CNA fill in. I thought she would be bothered by the situation. Instead, she approached it with such a positive attitude it really stuck with me. She reflected that for both her and the patients it was a real win win. The patients received the care level of an RN as she was doing the CNA work, and she was able to give the more concentrated patient care that nurses appreciate. Instead of seeing it as a negative, see this as it really is... you are being truly valued as a skilled LPN with very valuable and extensive CNA experience and skills. You are in the "float" so go with the flow and enjoy the variety.

[VANurse2010]

Dear LPN9200 you are not alone in that. In fact I know an RN in a small LTC unit who is also scheduled to fill in as CNA one day a week to make sure she gets her full time hours. She is still paid as an RN as I'm sure you still receive your LPN pay while doing CNA fill in. I thought she would be bothered by the situation. Instead, she approached it with such a positive attitude it really stuck with me. She reflected that for both her and the patients it was a real win win. The patients received the care level of an RN as she was doing the CNA work, and she was able to give the more concentrated patient care that nurses appreciate. Instead of seeing it as a negative, see this as it really is... you are being truly valued as a skilled LPN with very valuable and extensive CNA experience and skills. You are in the "float" so go with the flow and enjoy the variety.

Um, there is no variety if they only have her doing tech duties.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

That would probably bother most people. I myself wouldn't like to do that when I become a nurse, but a big factor would be the physical demands of your facility. Do you have mechanical lifts you can use?