Nurses forced to work as aides

Published

I am frustrated with my hospital. We have a shortage of aides, and no wonder because they have a hard, backbreaking job for measly pay. As a result, sometimes when we nurses show up to work, we're made to work as aides. No notice, just here: you're an aide today.

This seems really unprofessional to me. I signed up to be a nurse. I never worked as an aide because I know how difficult that job is, and I don't want it. It's confusing to the patients to have two RN's running around. Thankfully, the other nurses haven't asked me to medicate a patient, because I'd have to say no since I didn't get a nursing report, nor did I look up the patients to a sufficient level to be able to take full-on nursing care for them nor did I assess them, but I can see how this could set up a problem in the future for a med error.

It just seems wrong on several levels. I guess this is what happens when you work in a hospital with no union. At least I still get my nursing pay, but I still feel that this is inappropriate.

Thoughts? Have you ever heard of this before?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.

Who do you think did that work before CNAs? Everything in my job description is taken out of yours.

I've seen threads about this in the past. Here's one: https://allnurses.com/nurse-colleague-patient/getting-put-as-970690.html

Here's another: https://allnurses.com/nurse-colleague-patient/nurses-working-as-906702.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

NewYorkerGirl, 2 minutes, unsportsmanlike conduct.

Seriously, the work of cna's is the basic foundation of nursing care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
NewYorkerGirl, 2 minutes, unsportsmanlike conduct.

Seriously, the work of cna's is the basic foundation of nursing care.

I know that. But I still don't want to do it for 12 hours a day. It's not what I signed up for.

Time to enroll in NP school I guess, even sooner than I thought.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Can the extra nurse be given an assignment instead? That way each RN has fewer patients but acts as aide and RN for some of those patients? That was done occasionally where I work and it worked out ok.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

At my PRN job this happens pretty often. Some nurses prefer it. I don't mind it. It gives me a nice break sometimes and I get paid like a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would be happy to receive RN pay for CNA work. It is better than being sent home, or worse, laid off. That being said, if this bothered me, now that I know what is established policy for this employer, I would seek a job elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree that it's not ideal or anyone's first choice of what to do, but it beats getting sent home and not paid (unless you like staying home and not getting paid :)). I've had this happen a few times working in psychiatric settings, and always figured getting paid my RN wage to do the tech's job was a pretty sweet deal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They do that on my floor as well, only because they are seriously short of techs and don't want to understaff the assigned nurses. It's an expensive solution for the floor but at least they are not expecting the nurses to complete their nurse responsibilities as well as the tech responsibilities. Do you have the option to say no or request that you only be assigned that once every so many shifts? Is management in the process of hiring CNAs or is this a long-term solution? .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.
But I still don't want to do it for 12 hours a day. It's not what I signed up for.

Yes, actually, it is what you signed up for. The minute you accepted a nursing license. Many units don't have CNAs or enough of them. Incontinent care, peri care, skin care, toileting needs, these are all nursing responsibilities and your license can be disciplined for not fulfilling them. "The CNA was supposed to," will not save you because while you can delegate tasks, it's on your license to make sure they actually happen.

I will say this too, though, that it seems odd that they don't just give each nurse a smaller assignment so she can do total care on all her patients. If you're paying nursing wages, why not get nurse-level work for them? That's a head scratcher.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree that it's not ideal or anyone's first choice of what to do, but it beats getting sent home and not paid (unless you like staying home and not getting paid :)). I've had this happen a few times working in psychiatric settings, and always figured getting paid my RN wage to do the tech's job was a pretty sweet deal.

A real sweet deal, because I can get up close and personal with the patient/resident far better than when doing licensed nurse duties. Helps my morale, seeing as how I entered nursing to take care of others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You're not made to work as an aide. It's your choice. You can quit any time. There are probably lots of folks lined up waiting for your job.

Welcome to the real world. The concept you are now beginning to embrace is total patient care: it's doing EVERYTHING an aide does and the nursing component too. Makes you really thankful for the days you have aides and can work your regular shift, doesn't it?

Life isn't fair. Staffing isn't good. It's a cruel world. Be glad you have a job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion