Ok to do basic care?

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · May 24, 2016

This isn't the type of stuff you want to post along with a picture of yourself.

...but anyway, I don't see doing "CNA work" as a problem as long as it's not interfering with your higher level nursing tasks. Very occasionally, I'll run into a nurse who used to be a CNA and hasn't fully transitioned. Their patients may have unresolved critical labs, half done admissions and vital signs off the charts, but they are very clean and very well fed! That's when it gets to be a problem and they need to focus more on delegation.

WheresMyPen · May 24, 2016

Thanks for the input. I get all of my assessments done, meds, documentation and chart checks, all my higher level tasks done. i don't change all the patients but I do what I can and I assess as I help them. Supervisor hasn't said anything so maybe I'm stressing for nothing

also it's not a pic of me, it's an actress lol

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · May 24, 2016

Thanks for the input. I get all of my assessments done, meds, documentation and chart checks, all my higher level tasks done. i don't change all the patients but I do what I can and I assess as I help them. Supervisor hasn't said anything so maybe I'm stressing for nothing
also it's not a pic of me, it's an actress lol

...guess I am unfamiliar with her!! :facepalm:

thebeccalc, BSN, RN · May 24, 2016

No CNA task is below your pay grade once you get your license so yes, it's absolutely okay to do bedside care when you have the time. As you said, it's an opportunity for a fuller assessment, especially skin checks, plus your aides will love you for it.

Having worked as an aide for about two years before "movin' on up," I try to never forget where I came from and help out where I can when I can.

As previously stated though, don't allow your nursing tasks to be neglected for tasks that are easily delegated.

WheresMyPen · May 25, 2016

No CNA task is below your pay grade once you get your license so yes, it's absolutely okay to do bedside care when you have the time. As you said, it's an opportunity for a fuller assessment, especially skin checks, plus your aides will love you for it.
Having worked as an aide for about two years before "movin' on up," I try to never forget where I came from and help out where I can when I can.
As previously stated though, don't allow your nursing tasks to be neglected for tasks that are easily delegated.

same here I used to be a CNA and

i still feel like if someone asks for bedpan I will put them on it, or walking to bathroom, those could becomes all risks if i tellthem to "wait for the CNA" but if I am swamped and it's not an urgent matter i delegate.

Thanks for the input

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · May 25, 2016

As long as 1) it's not because someone else isn't doing their job and 2) it's not interfering with your job. I have no issue in doing "tech work" - and actually just took a job that has no CNAs - but if there is a tech on the floor sitting on Facebook, then they can get up and empty a bedpan, etc. They do get paid as well. :)