Nurse forced to work as a CNA

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Tonite at work, I saw a friend who usually works opposite of my shift. She is also nurse and was on-call. She was called by Admin and made to come in and work as an Aide. There were enuf nurses but Aide shortages. Can Admin do this?? Thank you.

My hospital will do this sometimes when census is high and the "call-in happy" rotation is working. I don't have a problem with it generally speaking, but the idea leaves a slightly bad taste in my mouth for the following reason...

When I got my LVN license and began orientation, easily half of my orientation shifts were still aide shifts. It felt like House just took a while to see me as a nurse instead of an aide playing nurse, which kinda irked me. I didn't feel I got the full benefit of orientation because of the lack of consistency, so I don't think a new nurse should be shifted in this way.

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Tonite at work, I saw a friend who usually works opposite of my shift. She is also nurse and was on-call. She was called by Admin and made to come in and work as an Aide. There were enuf nurses but Aide shortages. Can Admin do this?? Thank you.

Keep in mind while you may do the work of a CNA you still have the same legal obligations to your patient's as an RN.

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They most definitely can. They should have told her that they only needed aides though, so it shouldn't have been a shock to her. If you say you'll work extra, that's usually what happens. Is CNA work within the scope of a nurse? You bet it is. It's not like they brought her in saying they were short a nurse and then asked her to perform surgery:roflmao:

xo

What, no scalpel? :wideyed: :roflmao:

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Thankfully I am not in a spot where this would ever happen, but...

If I were confronted in such a manner that I am told I would be put in an aide position, I would put in my notice to leave right there on the spot.

Don't **** with me over 1 shift or you lose me for good.

If we all had this attitude, we would never get thrown into the shark tank.

Why would you quit if you were asked to work as an aide?

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Oh em god, you guys, I'm doing this TONIGHT :laugh:

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Why would you quit if you were asked to work as an aide?

If I were asked if I wanted to be an aide, I would say no. I am not interested in doing physical labor.

If they didn't give me a choice, I would put in my notice on the spot. If it happens once, what is stopping the same situation from happening again? Also, the threat of putting in notice like that should diffuse the situation. Would you like to lose a nurse who was willing to come in and do an extra shift?

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I did not present my question as a complaint, but as a question. I wrote the question for a friend. Now that the bad attitude bunch has squealed and shaken a crooked finger, I will wait and be appreciative of answers that aren't laden with venom from elsewhere.

Wow, I don't see anyone with a bad attitude-just people giving their opinions. If you didn't want them then maybe you shouldn't have asked the question to begin with.

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Not interested in doing physical labor?!? Good grief that sounds entitled. CNA work is basic nursing care, and something you should be doing regardless of whether an aide is there to help you. Don't think for one second that the physical labor is beneath you and not part of your job description. Quitting on the spot is unprofessional and the same ranks as patient abandonment. Good luck trying to explain why you left your shift and how you were too above doing basic nursing care.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.
I did not present my question as a complaint, but as a question. I wrote the question for a friend. Now that the bad attitude bunch has squealed and shaken a crooked finger, I will wait and be appreciative of answers that aren't laden with venom from elsewhere.

With all due respect, your title has the word "forced" in it which does imply an extra touch of drama...:nailbiting:

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If I were asked if I wanted to be an aide, I would say no. I am not interested in doing physical labor.

Hopefully your floor is always staffed with enough CNA so you don't have to do any "physical labor"

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Hopefully your floor is always staffed with enough CNA so you don't have to do any "physical labor"

I am in charge on shift. I would never actually get asked to work as a CNA. I was only stating my hypothetical response.

Edit: I see you joined this month. Dig back. My response here shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

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in my experience, the RN can be called, BUT must agree to it, and is still paid RN wages. I'm sure there are some places where they sort of manipulate the RN into believing its in their contract as "other duties" but this is only because if the administrator can't get an RN to fill in, they must find someone else - usually the ADON, or DON, or other administrative RN's, or pay "agency" rates which can be higher than RN wages in some places. Usually the administrator is a CNA or RN themselves - ultimately it is THEIR responsibility to cover that shift if they can't find anyone, so of course they will do /say what they have to, to get someone else to come in.

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