EasygoingRN

no! a cna is not allowed to refuse an assignment. this is insubordination. i recently had a cna try to refuse to keep a resident on her assignment because she didn't like her and the resident also didn't like the cna. i told her if she refused the assignment it would be considered insubordination - i would send her home and she was not to return to her job until the don was in touch with her regarding the situation. she was afraid that the resident would get her in trouble. i agreed to go into the room with her and observe the interaction while she washed the resident up. they now like each other and there is no problem. if this resident is always combative, document for several days and then talk to the doctor about possible medications that can help with this. if the documentation is there, he/she will be more likely to respond to your request.