RN's/CNA's...what's with this attitude?

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I've read several threads over time, and I "hear" from both the RN's AND the CNA's that CNA's are there to "help the RN." I am a little lost on this one, I can see in a way what it means, but IMO, EVERYONE is there to help the patients, yes? I think the worst portrayal of this attitude is when CNA's (and NO, definitely not all of them) feel that the RN should kiss their feet for any thing that they do "for them," and should just suck up a poor attitude by that person, because it would be "worse" without them there. It goes the other way, too.

From my perspective, having been a CNA for 5 years before becoming an RN seven years ago, is that no one is REALLY "more" important than the other. We just have different roles. Of course I appreciate working with a good CNA (and I am fortunate, I work with very good ones!) but I don't necessarily think of them as "doing me a favor" when they bathe a patient or answer a light. That's their job. It's mine, too, so I will do both of those things when time permits me. To me, one is doing me a favor when they are working with a different RN and have a patient assignment, but will help me with my blood sugars when I'm working alone, if they have time. THAT'S above and beyond. If they're ON my team, it's not a "favor" to me for them to get sugars....it's an expectation. Now, if I'm going in to a room anyway, I WILL often enough get it myself, I have no problem sharing those tasks. I don't think I'm doing THEM a favor, either, by sharing the baths...we're a team. I do give plenty of "thank you's" when they do their job efficiently and thoroughly, as well. I don't really see anything as strictly theirs to do. If I had a day where I couldn't help with the basic patient care as much as I'd like to/usually do, I will explain to them WHY I had to stick to what are strictly my RN duties (more new orders than usual, a patient having complications, etc).

Anyway. Just my two cents. Any thoughts on this? I would think relations between RN's and UAP would be better overall if EVERYONE took responibiility not only for their jobs, but for all of the patient's care. As soon as an RN OR a CNA feels like the CNA is there just to help the RN, and that any of the work they complete is a favor to them, it gets hard to get ANYTHING done the right way.

Hope this made sense. I've read it several times now, so I just wanted to get that out.

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

thank you, you put that very nicely. i agree !

praiser :heartbeat

[Straydandelion]

I think it is a similar relation to a nurse/doctor. Due to their training, the doctor "orchestrates" the care of the patient along with guidelines set up by a facillity with feedback obtained from the nurse. A nurse wouldn't consider herself/himself as working FOR a doctor, but would feel they were all doing the best they can in their capacity/with the training they have had for the betterment of the patient.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I think it is a similar relation to a nurse/doctor. Due to their training, the doctor "orchestrates" the care of the patient along with guidelines set up by a facillity with feedback obtained from the nurse. A nurse wouldn't consider herself/himself as working FOR a doctor, but would feel they were all doing the best they can in their capacity/with the training they have had for the betterment of the patient.

But my job title isn't Certified Doctors' Aide.

I loved when i had CNAs, but they shouldn't expect me to kiss their feet because they are doing their job and getting paid for it. If they did it just to be nice, I'd be foot kissing!

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

It's true...CNAs are there to help the RNs. But that does NOT mean that I am above taking someone to the bathroom, getting water, fixing their bed, taking time to talk to them, etc. I may sometimes not offer in the middle of a complex med pass with admits coming and doctors coming after me, but if the pt asks, I do. CNAs know that their job is rough...I know it too. I did it before I got my RN, and I am not above it.

I answer lights when I have time, or if I see that it is my pt and I'm going that way anyways.

Teamwork makes a unit....that's why the night shift has much better scores versus days. Not a night to day vent, but just the facts as it is on my unit.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I don't see being there to help the patient and being there to help the nurse as mutually exclusive.

[edisongirl25]

I totally agree. I was a CNA/PCT for a year before I became an RN. It was my job to do vital signs, chemsticks, I&O's, and ADL's. Sure, it would have been harder for the nurses to do their jobs if I wasn't there to do MINE, but it was my job when I was there. That was what I was hired and paid to do. The same now. I'm an RN, and we have some pretty great aides. Time permitting, I'll jump in and help whenever I can and they do the same. On my way to a room to do something, most will ask if I need any help. Sure there are certain things that they are responsible for, but if I can do it, or they are extra busy, I will. I usually thank our PCT/CNA's if they are right on top of things or do something that I specifically ask for, b/c I remember what it was like to not be appreciated and it was thought to be a "tech job" to put a patient on a bedpan.

[Hygiene Queen]

Okay, I give!!

I never can comment on the Nurse vs Aide threads!

I just go off on a tangent!

I erased my intended comments about three times! I have NO restraint on this subject!

Some nurses need to get a grip.

Some aides need to get a grip.

Everybody just needs to let everyone else do their job and everybody needs teamwork.

Not all aides are stupid and not all nurses are power-trippers.

Phew, not all I could say, but that's the restrained gist!

[DA314]

I think the issue isn't so much that CNA's expect nurses to kiss their feet, but I'm sure a little respect would go a long way.

From what I've seen on these boards, many CNA's feel as though nurses treat them like low-class citizens. I don't know if that is true or not, but that is how many seem to feel.

The other thing I've seen on these boards is that a lot of CNA's don't understand the role of the RN and accuse RN's of passing off all the work onto them.

I think if companies would maybe do a little class on understanding the role of each person, and how mutually valuable each job title is, there would be less jealously/bitterness.

The aides would be up a creek w/out a nurse on staff, and the nurses would be in over their heads without aides to take on tasks they are allowed to do.

Neither one can function properly without the other. So everyone should be appreciative that they have the other there, and show a little respect!

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

You know, this is a really touchy subject for me. I have been a CNA, and now I am a nurse. I work harder as a nurse than I ever did as a CNA, and I was a hard working CNA. It's the nature of the job. If I "track down" a CNA to do a linen change because I have a zillion other things to do that I cannot delegate, this does NOT translate to disrespect. I should not have to suck up to the CNA to get a little cooperation.

Just last night, another nurse asked the CNA to do a linen change really close to the end of the shift. The CNA said "If you help me chart my Is & Os". The nurse, without batting an eye, said "Sure, I'll help you put those in.", even though this was the first time all night that she had to sit down and chart her head to toe assessments, IV assessments, pain assessments, do her chart checks, and have all her ducks in a row to give report to the oncoming shift.

Charting I&O takes about two minutes tops. The CNA can easily do that linen change and chart her Is & Os, and obviously has NO CLUE how much that nurse had on her plate.

The attitude just ticks me off sometimes.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Okay, I give!!

I never can comment on the Nurse vs Aide threads!

I just go off on a tangent!

I erased my intended comments about three times! I have NO restraint on this subject!

Some nurses need to get a grip.

Some aides need to get a grip.

Everybody just needs to let everyone else do their job and everybody needs teamwork.

Not all aides are stupid and not all nurses are power-trippers.

Phew, not all I could say, but that's the restrained gist!

I am not understanding the anger here (from anyone?)...I didn't intend this to be a nurse vs aide thread, in fact, quite the opposite!

What did I say that was so bad??

[Scrubby]

I've also done both jobs, worked as a nurses aide before becoming an RN.

I think the problem here is that in both roles you get so caught up in your own tasks, stressors that you forget that the other person has their own workload to deal with as well.

As an aide I never fully understood the role of the RN until I became one and now I see why the nurses were so scarce...because they were running around trying to do a zillion things like myself.