Maive

"Hey Nurse X, I just finished showering Mr. Y and I wanted to know if you were already aware of the skin tear on his left shin or not? And of the bruise on his back?" That's what I normally do. And you're right,maybe I did say something thats sounds like "I'm stating my own assesment" and I should be aware of that from now on. Thanks for response :)

As a CNA we are the eyes, ears and nose of medical team right? But I can't understand is when I do a skin check on residents in LTC, and found scratches, pressure sores, or other skin irritations, I look for signs of neglect, abuse, and infection. I'm not documenting anything or taking notes. I just want to know exactly what I saw, in case I have to write a report they are base on facts. But Nurses in our facility consider it rather annoying, and reported me for assesing/diagnosing the residents. First I'm not documenting, nor treating, just basic observation, then I will report to the nurse for their assesment and treatment. Second it is part of Nursing assistant program, to know about the signs and symptoms of diseases,sickness, abuse and neglect, if we are not allowed to know then what why the are included in State Exam. Nurses said CNA like you shouldn't do this and that! I just feel it is dicrimination. Is it? Did you have the same expirience? I am new CNA (6 months) and I apply what I've learned in school especially advocating for residents.

I got Hired 3 days after my graduation in Home Health Care Agency, and 2 weeks after I passed my State Exam I got a job in LTC.

Thanks guys for your comments. Right now I told the nurse that I'm just going to do my own assignment with 9 residents, and help with hoyers. she has her own responsibilities and I have mine. If she screwed her assignent, shes on her own. I'm not going to do rounds to check if all call lights are available because theres no point, nurse in charge doesn't care why should I. But I'm making sure my resident have access to call lights and being taken care of. My unit manager is well aware of whats going so far, as well as my senior CNA.

I am a new CNA, working in LTC for about 2 months. We have permanent assignment, and permanent partner to assist with hoyers. Unfortunately my partner doesn't want to do her job, but wanted to get paid and always relying on help on her assignment, then leave me all by my self when it's time to do my own assignment, or she would say she changed their briefs but she didn't, so I have to do it my self. Now I do my assignment and she will do hers, then I will help when I'm done, but she complains thats she not getting any help when she needs it, because she had to wait for me and ask the nurses to help her instead. And then the nurse talked to me for not helping her, that I'm causing problems. I told the nurse I'm tired doing job for her and covering her butt while shes texting behind the curtains, then nurse said I didn't asked you to do her job, just to help her. And she leaves the residents at night without call bells. When I asked the nurse why they are not taking notes about it, the nurse said it's a minor thing, and the next shift don't complain about it. So all i have to do is put the call bells, and end of discission. Is anyone there have the same problem at work? How do u deal with those crappy aides?