New RN how to 'manage' CNAs

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Hi!

I'm looking for a few tips. I'm starting my first RN job at a nursing home. During my interview, I was told there are a lot of young girl CNAs who like their phones, "group tasks" etc haha. I don't want to come off as a know-it-all or a jerk telling them to get to work. Don't get me wrong, I'll say what I have to say to ensure the residents are continually cared for, but what are some approaches some of you have found helpful where everyone stayed happy? I'm 22 years-old and a little passive/inexperienced when it comes to keeping people in line.

Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.

I worked as a tech (as we call them) for my last semester of nursing school and up until I got my license, and I'm glad I did because it gave me a healthy perspective of what their job entails and what is reasonable of me to expect or ask of them. Many new RN's coming out of school having not done that kind of work have condescending, counterproductive attitudes towards CNA's and see them as subordinates rather than team mates. Your relationship with them will make ALL the difference in how you enjoy, or hate, your job!

First and foremost, you are not their superior, and you don't manage them. You may be the team leader, as someone else mentioned, but you are not their boss. So pick your battles very wisely. If you have a CNA that has completed all that he/she needs to do, caught up on charting, and things on the floor are caught up and calm, don't make a big deal about someone checking their stupid cell phone. It's not worth the tension.

Secondly, show them that you are willing to bust your ass right along side them and get your hands dirty too when you are not tied down with strictly RN responsibilities. Respect is not demanded, it is earned. Once you show you are not coming in as an authority figure but as an equal working towards a common goal, everything will go more smoothly and you might actually have fun working together which in turn leads to better patient care.

Lastly, have fun. Take your job seriously enough to do it well, but not so seriously that you and your coworkers are miserable. Life will go on, all situations will pass. Have a sense of humor about everything, because this will be imperative to you surviving some of the things you're certainly going to encounter along the way.

Good luck.

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In my opinion, group tasks are great. When I worked as a CNA, my best friend and I basically did everything together. It helped us keep every patient changed, clean, and turned and we never hurt our backs trying to do it on our own. Plus we never had to bother the RN for help with these things because we had each other.

I would be careful of frowning on this. You need to pick and choose your battles. You are the new face walking into this. Good luck :)

I totally agree when I was an CNA partnering up helped so much! Most pts these days r 2 person assist anyways. It was more

Productive to pair up and tackle the day. I would ENCOURAGE teamwork!! As long as the job is getting done micromanaging will make u an "ass" real quick

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Specializes in Critical Care/Vascular Access.

One last thing I meant to mention........LEARN from your CNA's. Especially since you're coming fresh out of school, you will find that they know a whole lot more than you do about direct patient care. You may have changed a few beds and cleaned up a few messes in clinicals, but nothing like what you're about to get into. Don't be too proud to ask them either, because many of them have likely been doing that kind of work for years and can show you tips that will save you time and energy and make you a better nurse. This also shows that you respect them and their skills, which is invaluable.

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Agree. Asking other people with experience can give you a lot of usefull tips and information. Dont feel stupid for asking. Thaths the way to learn.

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A lot has already been said on this topic, but as you can see, your post struck a chord (or a nerve) with a lot of people. My one piece of advice is to keep your eyes out for a good role model- some one who communicates well and partners effectively with the rest of the team. It will take time for you to build your own relationships and develop your own style of communication. It will get easier with time as you learn from your mistakes and gain confidence as a nurse.

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I am currently a CNA and at times do tend to work in pairs but when the shift is heavy other than that I work alone, in order for you to approach this group don't come off as I'm the leader here just have the schedule set up in the beginning let them know we are here to make the residents feel better and make sure we are always checking on them and don't get distracted.

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Figure out who are the leaders and then win them over.

One of my first days on the job, I walked in to find an aid trying to help clean a patient who'd pooped all over himself. I'd walked in looking for help and quickly said, "hey, I got this... would you please go grab some vitals on those two and find me some (I don't recall what it was.)" Instant cred and she talked me up with everybody else.

Be a "doer," not a "teller"

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Thank you. Your words and attachments were helpful. The CNAs are actually great workers and after starting the job I am discovering that trust and equality are key to reaching the overall shared goal of patient/resident well-being.

About 50.

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Thank you for your words. They have helped me on my path to a more humble perspective of patient care.

-David.

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Thank you! I love the perspective and I think it will help a lot :)

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