Really irked

Published

Specializes in Long-term Care.

I'm LPN. I'm being pulled to floor to work as a CNA, and a agency nurses is working the floor as a nurse over me. Don't get me wrong I don't mind working as a cna, but I think that they should have at least offered me the decency of asking me if I mind working as an CNA. Don't take this the wrong way, but I went to school to be a nurse. I did the CNA thing for years before going to nursing school. But I went to nursing school for a reason and it wasn't to get bumped at my job so they can cater to agency staff. No offense to the agency nurses out there meant. I've been at this job for 3 years. Am I wrong in being upset over the situation?

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Specializes in Sub-acute, Rehab.

No, I would be upset about being bumped. I'm sorry it happened hun.

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Specializes in LTC.

I think its fair to be upset....maybe you should address it to the DON or whoever allowed this to happen. If nothing it done...job hunt.

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if this is a one time occurence, it could be that they didnt cancel the agency nurse in time and would have incurred a penalty....if this is an on going prob., then certainly ask for an explanation.

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Ok, was the agency nurse a RN or LPN? If she is a RN, then that is going to be their excuse for pulling you to work as a CNA. Also keep in mind that the agencies do have a contact with the facilities and it could be that's in their contract that they can't work as a CNA and must be working as a nurse while in the facility. Also keep in mind that when cancelling agency nurses sometimes they have to be paid regardless if they're working or not. That's just bits and pieces that I've heard from nurses who have worked for agencies. But also keep in mind that when your facility is short staffed CNA's then the LPNs will be pulled. I've seen it first hand when I was a CNA. I was the only CNA on the rehab floor working day shift. We had 38 patients that day. One of the RNs volunteered to work on the floor with me. Plus we had 3 LVN's that were pulled. There were no showers that day but we were doing good partial baths (face, under arms, & peri). I had 12 patients, the RN had 12 and the 3 LVN's had split the other 14. When the RN and I were done, the 3 LVN's were still doing the other 14 and they were working together!!!!!! I didin't mind it much and it was hard work but the RN & I got done before 11AM and those LVN's didn't get done until after lunch. Luckily we had the DON and the Administrator answering call lights. Yes, the administrator was answering call lights.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

don't worry about it, our job as nurses encompasses the CNA's work and as long as you were getting your LPN pay to do the job i don't see any harm done.

our floor regularly is short CNA's and we just rotate which nurse will work the hall as the CNA that night and it works out fine. some nurses actually don't mind it, myself included.

some agency nurses have guarenteed 3 shifts per week by the hospital and if they do not staff the nurse they still have to pay them per the contract. that is probably why you got bumped.

if it happens again and you get pulled again, then i would ask why you are the one being pulled, but i wouldn't be too offended by it.

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