Managing CNA's/Aides/Med Techs as New Nurse?

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Hello everyone.

Let me start this by saying, I've been in healthcare for YEARS...like 15. I've been an aide. I am currently still employed as an aide of sorts (more of a tech). I know how it is to work under crappy nurses who ride you for silly things the entire shift. I also know how it is to work with nurses who really ARE team players. I've worked with aides that do the bare minimum to only stay employed, and the polar opposite. I was always the aide to go above and beyond. So much so that my other aide coworkers would disappear to leave me alone with an entire floor or unit of patients. Just because they could.

Any-who...I'm about to start my first nursing job.

I'm scared not only of this new professional step....but how to manage the CNAs and med techs assigned to my unit.

Any tips/tricks/recommendations?

Any words of wisdom here?

Ladies and Gents...I'd appreciate any help!

Thanks!!!

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This is what works for me. I've been a nurse a little over a year. I let them know, nicely, what I expect up front. Don't micro manage them, they are adults and should know their jobs. Let them know when you are stepping out, smoking, going on break, in a room doing treatments, so they know where to find their nurse. They will give you the same respect. I have two rules, don't let me find pee rings in the bed at the end of your shift, and let me know when you leave the floor. If you can do your job and smoke a carton of cigarettes, that's fine, let me know you are leaving the hallway, because in responsible for you. Some people may try you because you're a new nurse, my advice is stand your ground. Good luck!

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Thank You for your response!

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You really said it yourself. Be a team player and get down and dirty with the aides and they will respect you all day long because you are showing it as well. Make sure you give them report and expectations at the start of every shift and make yourself available to them. Ask them if there is anything you can help them with. You may not always have the time but they will respect that too and may even start asking you if they can help. You're always going to have those that need more motivation than others so identify which ones you need to ride and those you don't. Ultimately it is your license. I try not to micro manage but it takes one patient or resident fall that's not reported to you that can put you in the hot seat because their story will be that you were informed.

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Specializes in L&D.

You guys are giving great advice. Thanks for that. This may be a silly question, but what do you all mean by "micro manage". I graduate in dec and I know I'll be facing the same situations 6 months from now.

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You guys are giving great advice. Thanks for that. This may be a silly question, but what do you all mean by "micro manage". I graduate in dec and I know I'll be facing the same situations 6 months from now.

A micro manager controls every aspect of getting from point a to point b. Most of us prefer to be told that getting to point b is the goal and allowed to find our own way there.

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Specializes in L&D.
A micro manager controls every aspect of getting from point a to point b. Most of us prefer to be told that getting to point b is the goal and allowed to find our own way there.

Thanks for the clarification. I appreciate it.

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Something else I try to do is talk to them at the beginning and end of the shift. Let them know if anyone has a doctor's appointment, diet change, if you need a specimen on anyone, for med techs who needs meds crushed or while, thickened liquids, things like that. If I need to do a skin assessment, I let them know, when they change someone's brief to let me know, that way the patient gets bothered,once instead of twice. At the end of the shift, say thank you, good job, let them know you appreciate them. A thank you goes a long way.

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*whole*

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If you will be working in a hospital or unit where you have already worked several years this advice won't apply. But if you are working in an area new to you and the CNA's and tech's have worked there several months or years ask their advice.

Even if your question is a nursing/medical question they may know how to help you. You have to use your nursing knowledge whether to accept what they tell you, but they know a lot from on the job experience....nursing/medical knowledge doesn't just come from classes and books.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

"Compliment in public; critique/criticize in private."

Giving due recognition - someone else here on AN offered this tidbit. Found it to be so true that it has stuck in my memory.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.
"Compliment in public; critique/criticize in private."

Giving due recognition - someone else here on AN offered this tidbit. Found it to be so true that it has stuck in my memory.

This is great advice for everything you ever do, and something people frequently forget in the moment.

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