Nurses forced to work as aides

[NewYorkerGirl]

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?

[Red Kryptonite]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have no use for CNA's

The attitude of the rest of your post makes this easy to believe.

I challenge you to find anything I posted that indicates unwillingness to do my job. I just expect people to put the needs of vulnerable patients over whatever complex they suffer pertaining to titles.

[SierraBravo]

I challenge you to find anything I posted that indicates unwillingness to do my job. I just expect people to put the needs of vulnerable patients over whatever complex they suffer pertaining to titles.

Sure, no problem. How about the above post... Where you assume that because I (or anyone else) have the letters RN & BSN after my name that I don't put my patient's needs first.

[elkpark]

Not everywhere. In NY, according to the NYSED, you are not held to the level of your education or licensure. You are held to the responsibility of the job you were hired for.

Please direct me to where, specifically, the NYSED says this. Thanks.

[elkpark]

Not everywhere. In NY, according to the NYSED, you are not held to the level of your education or licensure. You are held to the responsibility of the job you were hired for.

From the FAQ page of the NYSED website:

Can a registered professional nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) work in a position that is below his/her level of licensure?

Answer: Yes. A licensed nurse may work in a position that he/she has the training to do and that is within his/her scope of practice. RNs have the training to perform LPN, Certified Nurses Aid and Home Care Aid functions and therefore could accept a work identified for these levels. An LPN has the training to perform Certified Nurses Aid and Home Care Aid functions, and could accept work identified for either of these positions. However, the nurse that does so would still be required to act prudently based on his/her educational preparation and would be held to that standard. In addition, the nurse cannot refer to themselves as an "LPN" or "Certified Nurse Aid" unless it is, in fact, true.

(Emphasis mine)

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nursepracticefaq.htm

[SierraBravo]

From the FAQ page of the NYSED website:

Can a registered professional nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) work in a position that is below his/her level of licensure?

Answer: Yes. A licensed nurse may work in a position that he/she has the training to do and that is within his/her scope of practice. RNs have the training to perform LPN, Certified Nurses Aid and Home Care Aid functions and therefore could accept a work identified for these levels. An LPN has the training to perform Certified Nurses Aid and Home Care Aid functions, and could accept work identified for either of these positions. However, the nurse that does so would still be required to act prudently based on his/her educational preparation and would be held to that standard. In addition, the nurse cannot refer to themselves as an "LPN" or "Certified Nurse Aid" unless it is, in fact, true.

(Emphasis mine)

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nursepracticefaq.htm

Yes, I've seen the website. I spoke with someone at the NYSED about this issue and they stated what I posted before, which is in direct contradiction to their website. I suppose the question is whether or not a RN would ever take a job as a LPN or an aide? I know I wouldn't, but I can imagine that there are some that might.

[elkpark]

Yes, I've seen the website. I spoke with someone at the NYSED about this issue and they stated what I posted before, which is in direct contradiction to their website. I suppose the question is whether or not a RN would ever take a job as a LPN or an aide? I know I wouldn't, but I can imagine that there are some that might.

Well, the "someone" at the NYSED you spoke with may not know what s/he is talking about, or may not have understood the question, because the information posted on the website is what every US state that has addressed this issue with any kind of policy statement has said. If the NY BON really takes the position that you don't have to be accountable for RN standards of practice because you're filling in as a CNA that day, that you can "turn off" your RN license, that would seriously differ from the stated position of the majority of US states (and the findings of multiple courts).

[Red Kryptonite]

Sure, no problem. How about the above post... Where you assume that because I (or anyone else) have the letters RN & BSN after my name that I don't put my patient's needs first.

LAME.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I suppose the question is whether or not a RN would ever take a job as a LPN or an aide? I know I wouldn't, but I can imagine that there are some that might.

Because the job market is as tight as it is, people have posted on this very site about not being able to find employment as an RN, but they could find a job if they were willing to take the LPN position (and its accompanying wages). Don't know if anyone has; the biggest problem seems to be that the Nurse Practice Act (just discussed, above) DOES require anyone who holds an RN license to ACT accordingly, whether or not they are being paid for such attention or actions.

I knew someone who had a "great plan" (in quotes, because it was a STUPID plan!). She enjoyed her job as a patient transporter, and occasionally worked as a PCT when floors were understaffed. She figured she could finish her RN schooling (had dropped out in previous years, but assumed she could just re-enroll whenever she liked)....and then keep her job as transport personnel while having the facility pay her RN wages. ROFL....she figured they HAD to pay her as an RN because she would hold the license (can you imagine?).....took awhile to get through to her that her JOB would be as a PCT/transporter, and would be paid as such...but would be RESPONSIBLE to act as an RN whenever someone in her immediate care required it. Ummm....she changed her mind about that after awhile!

[SierraBravo]

LAME.

Thank you for your mature response.

[SierraBravo]

Well, the "someone" at the NYSED you spoke with may not know what s/he is talking about, or may not have understood the question, because the information posted on the website is what every US state that has addressed this issue with any kind of policy statement has said. If the NY BON really takes the position that you don't have to be accountable for RN standards of practice because you're filling in as a CNA that day, that you can "turn off" your RN license, that would seriously differ from the stated position of the majority of US states (and the findings of multiple courts).

Their position is that if you, for example, are licensed as a NP and are hired as a RN and are working within the scope of practice of a RN, then you are liable for everything up to and including the scope of practice of a RN, not a NP. However, I understand that their position is not corroborated by the statement that they post on their website.

[Red Kryptonite]

Thank you for your mature response.

Maybe I'd be capable of a better response if you had put any effort at all toward actually addressing the challenge made to you.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

... However, I understand that their position is not corroborated by the statement that they post on their website.

This situation probably falls into one of those "if I only had a buck for every time someone told me..." categories. For some reason, I find many people who work in bureaucratic agencies don't know the rules of their own agencies, or what it is that they should be telling people who are asking policy questions. I'm working in gov't and frequently shake my head at what "someone said" when a person requests information!