RN assigned as a CNA

[myree72]

I am an RN at a Rehabilitation hospital and occasionally when I get to work I am assigned as a CNA on a team. Most recently when I worked as a CNA, which I have never trained to be, I suffered a back injury and missed 3 days of work, which in my state I won't get paid for. Also in this instance after receiving my assignment & report from the previous CNA over the phone while she was driving and listening to music, I told the charge nurse that I was uncomfortable with the assignment, to which she just said "what do you want me to do about it?" Furthermore, the assigned nurse for that team that shift was an LPN. I have been a nurse for 13 years and this is the only place I have ever seen RNs used as CNAs so I am just wondering how common the practice is. I am certainly not trying to start any kind of RN vs. LPN or nurse vs. CNA debate, because I have a lot of respect for everyone in the medical profession. I am just curious if others have been in the same position and how other hospitals use staff. Thanks!!

[meandragonbrett]

Most recently when I worked as a CNA, which I have never trained to be, I suffered a back injury and missed 3 days of work, which in my state I won't get paid for.

Ummm, part of your job is doing that of a CNA. How have you "never been trained" to be a CNA? They provide NURSING care.

[klone, MSN, RN]

The facility I used to work at in AZ would sometimes use RNs to cover a CNA shift (at the RN pay) if they were short-staffed for CNAs and had an extra RN to float.

I don't understand what you mean by not having been trained as a CNA, and not feeling comfortable taking a particular assignment as a CNA. If you're an RN, then you have been trained in CNA care.

[rn4ever?]

An RN can do a CNA's task-----yes, you are qualified to do that. I am RN, and sometimes I am asked to do a tech's job when we are short of techs-----like passing meal trays and taking vitals. I don't mind it. I get paid the same RN rate.

[luvthegsp]

this whole post sounds fishy to me.....

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

You are still held to the standard of an RN, so whatever you want to do you are always an RN. Frankly I wouldn't do it. MHO.

[myree72]

I need to clarify, I just didn't want my original post to be too lengthy. I provide patient care all of the time, I answer call bells, I toilet my patients when I am able to. Where I work (Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation) the patients are often times max assist, hemiplegic, non-weight bearing , you name it. And they are up and out of bed for three hours of therapy a day. The heavy transfers are what I am not comfortable with, and why I was uncomfortable with that particular assignment. I have worked as a CNA many times and have even enjoyed having the extra time to spend with my patients. That was the first time I had ever been uncomfortable. Out of 5 teams, that one was the heaviest, and for patient safety the charge nurse, in my opinion, could have changed the assignment. And since we are being sticklers, my job description states that the RN acts as a team player by assisting coworkers with direct patient care.

[CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN]

Misappropriation of RN!

Actually, in my past life as a CNA, the shift leader to my step down unit decided to send up an RN float from ICU to help me with my 8 step down (total care) patients. I had her do vitals while I finished up a bed bath. Felt very funny to be the one bossing around an RN.

Anyway, long story short. She got to the eighth patient and realized the patient had expired. Observinging that the patient resembled a relative she asked the daughter. And turns out this was her cousin she hadn't seen in years. Afterwords, she told me she was grateful to be able to comfort the daughter and say goodbye to her cousin.

Amazing, huh?!

[myree72]

Why does this sound fishy?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Misappropriation of RN!

No, it's really not. Many facilities allow/require RNs to float in such a manner if necessary. As long as you're being paid your RN salary, and not a lower CNA salary, it's not misappropriation if the facility's need for that shift is for a CNA, rather than another RN. All the duties you're doing are ones that you have been trained for as an RN.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

In addition to the heavy transfers, I think the OP is also meaning she hasn't been orientated to the CNA's usual routine. Such as the CNA's will know where the shower heads are kept, but the nurse may not if they don't use them often. Maybe the CNA gets the fridge temps, but the nurse may not know what time or where the chart is kept. Maybe their computer charting is different. Maybe the CNA's know where to put laundry after hours, but the nurse does not. Maybe all the CNA's know to check the blood glucose machine q night at midnight, but the nurse might not. It would be easy for the CNA to remember to change batteries on the Hoyer lift, but the nurse might not. I have been in that situation as an RN working covering a CNA. When you don't do something often it would certainly be nice to be trained or at least have a list of what needs to be done.

[myree72]

Thanks for the replies, good or bad :) What I am struggling with more than anything is that I reported that I was uncomfortable with my given assignment and it was disregarded, resulting in an injury to myself and to a patient (an abrasion & pain). There really is no one to go to for support right now as the nurse manager and CNO positions are both vacant where I work.