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?

[momof3lv]

It seems weird to me that a facility would just not give all nurses a smaller assignment and have them do primary care than pay an rn to be a cna. That's what we do at my hospital. Granted that doesn't happen much but still. One night they asked me if I was okay watching the camera patients. I was about to jump at the chance. It would have been a nice break. I don't mind sitting either as sometimes it's the only break I get.

[withasmilelpn]

Patients need care. If your short staffed, you may be needed to do 'CNA' work. Even managers need to be able to pitch in in my opinion. In fact you get a more accurate picture of your patient when you spend more time with them doing care. You might catch the fact that your patient is getting short of breath simply ambulating them to the bathroom, or have increased pain with movement or even may be constipated from the narcotics they're on, etc etc. Things that sometime get missed by CNAs can become apparent. During care, you can really teach and get to know your patient. I like it. It can be very rewarding. Though I will say, too often I'd probably get bored.

By the way, when I was hired many, many years ago as a nurse where I was a CNA prior, there were no full time jobs available. I worked as both - for different pay rates! This still happens to new grads I know. So count your blessings you get full pay.

[IsabelK]

Um....last I checked if a CNA can do it, so can an LPN. If a CNA or an LPN can do it, so can an RN. Get over it. It's part of nursing care. As an NP, I still help out when I have time and see that it's bad. It takes 1 minute to help turn a patient, help pull one up in bed, help change a Depends.

If you think being an NP takes you away from hands on care--I don't want you as my NP. If you think being an RN makes you too good to do "CNA work"--I don't want you as my nurse.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Time to find the root cause. WHY is your facility experiencing a shortage of CNA's?

Approach management with your observations.. and suggestions to solve the problem.

THAT is the professional response, along with gracefully accepting your assigned duties... while the problem is being resolved.

[NOADLS]

Um....last I checked if a CNA can do it, so can an LPN.

Good idea. The LPN's can do the CNA work since the RN's are above that. NP's are on a whole other level. NP's have ascended beyond that.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Good idea. The LPN's can do the CNA work since the RN's are above that. NP's are on a whole other level. NP's have ascended beyond that.

Still thumping that drum, I see!

OP, it's been five months. Any changes?

[heynurse1996]

I will never understand the term "Aide work" it is simply basic nursing care that is delegated to CNA's. (Unpopular opinion) But I just feel like if you think you are "above" providing basic care to sick individuals you probably aren't cut out for nursing.

Bottom line it is awesome to have auxillary staff but before aide's nurses did it all :)

[nursel56]

You never know where you may work over the course of your career. I've seen the results when I worked with someone who didn't know the basics. Never turn your nose up at nursing fundamentals!

[neuron]

I've heard if you work as a CNA but are a licensed RN, you are still held to the standards of an RN. Does anyone know if this is true? example : if you check a blood pressure and it is very low and report it to that patient's RN and he or she does not follow up, you could be responsible because you are a licensed RN especially if you usually work at this facility as an RN. If this is true it would be better like others have said to just have more RNs take assignments.

This is why RN's or a licensed nurse shouldn't be doing CNA work and their job at the same time. If a patient crashes, a CNA can't do a nurses job (assess, call Dr. meds) but a nurse can do a CNA's job. The board of nursing isn't going to hear from a nurse who couldn't properly intervene for a patient 'but I was toileting a patient'.