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.
o.k. heres my 2 cents even though no body asked. I am a LPN but I worked for as a CNA for almost 2 1/2 yrs b4 I became an LPN. First off let me say that you will work with that CNA that knows whats expected as far as their job is concerned, and don't mind assisting a nurse b/c it is there job. At the same time as a CNA you will work with that nurse that understands that you have showers to do ppl to feed vs to get ice to pass call lights to answer and anything else that is asked of you, and lets their thanks be known when you help them. I myself try to always say please and thankyou when talking to my CNA's. So even though assisting a nurse is the CNA's job; common courtesy goes along way. (not to be confused with foot kissing). This reminds me of a quote from To Kill A Mocking you know the one about "walking a mile in the other person's shoes"
And I get sick of nurses telling me how I'm worthless and not worth anything and I'm so much lower than them because I'm not a nurse. And then demanding I get there vital signs right away when mr. so and so needs to go to the bathroom right now as well and mrs. b wants ice water.
And last I checked pretty much anyone I work with has my respect until they ruin it. Then it's gone....And what make YOU think you deserve MY respect...seems like another high and mighty I'm better than you attitude to me.
You don't like taking direction, find another job and quit whining.
You don't like taking direction, find another job and quit whining.
End of story.
Actually I wasn't whining I was replying to the post, thank you! And I have no problem taking direction, as long as it's good direction and not something that is going to allow me to lose my lisence or get fired. And why would I quit? I enjoy my job VERY much! I love the residents and MOST of my co-workers.
My experience with aides has been in LTC and I think that everyone there is overwhelmed, period. Too few hands for too many disabled people.
My beef is with management, not the aides. On every shift there were a couple of aides who were resentful of what they were expected to do as their job. I have had people tell me that they couldn't help me toilet someone who was care planned as a two-assist because they were doing A. Well, that's fine, but then I have someone aware enough to know that they were forced into incontinence and are humiliated and shamed by it and sat there in tears because no one would help me take them to the toilet. If I can drop my med pass to assure that someone's dignity remains intact you can sure as heck drop rolling that resident to the dining room for 5 minutes.
Most were wonderful. But management would NOT get rid of the bad apples and for that I blame management, not the aides.
Oh, and the same goes for lousy nurses. I have worked with people who allowed mean things to go on because it was easier than actually taking care of the poor demented soul depending on us.
I probably should've never came into this post b/c it is such a touchy subject for everyone, but since i'm here i'll give my . First of all, everybody need to just chill and realize that we all are working for the same goal and that is the take care of the patient. Also, nurses and certified nurses assistants should be completely aware of what their jobs intales and what it doesn't. Nurse aides should be aware of what the nurse has to do and what their job is in assisting their nurses. Also, when the nurse is not tied up doing their job as a licensed nurse (things that the CNA cannot do because it is out of their scope of practice), then the nurse can do the other part of their job such as ADL's and answering call lights and everything like that if the CNA has their hands full. Ultimately, the point is, nurses can do the CNA's job but CNA's can't do the nurse's job(without going out of their scope and risking losing the certification). So, priority for the nurse is her responsibilities as getting her job done first. Also, CNA's should be given the proper respect and treated as the vital part of health care team that they are..but never "foot kissed" for doing what they're getting paid to do. I am a nursing student, i have worked as a CNA, and I have done CNA work combined with nursing duties. This has taught me that we all need each other and that the nurses job would be doable without the CNA but much harder for me. Also, CNA's working alone without the nurses are next to impossible. Hope this puts it into perspective for someone.
You don't like taking direction, find another job and quit whining.
End of story.
How can you say this? Do you know this person? Do you work with them? Don't get me wrong I don't know them either but this statement doesnt tell me that they cant take direction. it sounds to me more like they had the unpleasant experience of working with a horrible nurse who makes herself feel better by putting someone else down. How do I know this? b/c I ve worked with a nurse just like that. She felt she was better than me b/c she was a nurse and at the time I was a CNA. Most (not all) nurses who have never worked as a tech have this chip on their shoulder. Either way no one deserves to be talked this way. There is a word for what was told to this person by a nurse what is it....... oh yeah we nurses call it verbal abuse!
See that's the problem. I must cover my own behind. I once had a nurse ask me to do something questionable. Being a naive new aide I listened and didn't question what she was asking. I got pulled in the office and said nurse didn't back me up and said she had no idea what was going on. I did tell the DNS the truth. A little later said nurse was ranting that back in the day aides did whatever nurses said. I said yes but back in the day nurses also backed up their aides. She stated it was part of the game and I said well some of us don't play that game. Ever since then I question what is more important. I'm not going to leave my high fall risk on the toilet to go answer a fall alarm. I'm not going to do something that the nurse wants me to do that might get me into trouble. So I use my OWN judgement. No I don't tell the nurse they can go find another nurse. Depending on what it is, if I'm busy I state I will be there as soon as I can.
I wasn't referring to nurses who ask CNA's to practice outside their scope. Any nurse who tries to get you to do this should be reported and your well within your rights to refuse them. What I meant was that you can't just practice independently because you believe that your there to 'assist the resident, not the nurse'. No you don't leave your high fall risk on the toilet alone, that's good judgement but you still need to communicate this to the RN instead of just saying no not now.
As a CNA or Enrolled nurse you have to work under the RN's supervision and as I said earlier if you cannot accept this then you should reconsider working as a CNA.
I wasn't referring to nurses who ask CNA's to practice outside their scope. Any nurse who tries to get you to do this should be reported and your well within your rights to refuse them. What I meant was that you can't just practice independently because you believe that your there to 'assist the resident, not the nurse'. No you don't leave your high fall risk on the toilet alone, that's good judgement but you still need to communicate this to the RN instead of just saying no not now.
As a CNA or Enrolled nurse you have to work under the RN's supervision and as I said earlier if you cannot accept this then you should reconsider working as a CNA.
That I can agree with.
However, I don't feel I'm there to clean up the nurses messes, I'm there to assist the resident in the ADLs. I will clean up the nurses messes IF they are behind but not because they want to go smoke. And it depends on if there are more pressing issues. If I have 4 call lights on and I know I'm on my own as far as answering them, why should I clean up the nurses spilled Jevity or mop up the coffee the nurse spilled (unless it's a pressing issue)? I have my own brain and will using it in prioritizing. Example: The other night I was very behind and the nurse was sitting at the nurses station waiting for the other nurse to count her out, she told me I needed to go answer a call light, I told her I was busy in my own section but as soon as I was able I would help the other sections. Because I KNEW if I wasn't in my section then no-body was and that just isn't right. I was respectful in my explanation. I've had this same nurse tell me I shouldn't have done something. I asked her what I SHOULD have done and she didn't have an answer. I've learned in LTC that if I'm not worried about my section and my residents then nobody is and that my friends is NEGLECT! Something I'm not willing to do. I'm not trying to offend anyone but that's just how I survive in LTC.
And believe me I do know of a few RN's who are cruel to CNA's and nursing home residents. I overheard the DON at the nursing home I worked at referring to us as nothing but 'bum wipers'. I too have been put down by RN's, EN's etc when I was a CNA and nursing student. I always saw them as a role model on what NOT to be when I graduated.
. First of all, everybody need to just chill and realize that we all are working for the same goal and that is the take care of the patient. Also, nurses and certified nurses assistants should be completely aware of what their jobs intales and what it doesn't. Nurse aides should be aware of what the nurse has to do and what their job is in assisting their nurses. Also, when the nurse is not tied up doing their job as a licensed nurse (things that the CNA cannot do because it is out of their scope of practice), then the nurse can do the other part of their job such as ADL's and answering call lights and everything like that if the CNA has their hands full. Ultimately, the point is, nurses can do the CNA's job but CNA's can't do the nurse's job(without going out of their scope and risking losing the certification). So, priority for the nurse is her responsibilities as getting her job done first. Also, CNA's should be given the proper respect and treated as the vital part of health care team that they are..but never "foot kissed" for doing what they're getting paid to do. I am a nursing student, i have worked as a CNA, and I have done CNA work combined with nursing duties. This has taught me that we all need each other and that the nurses job would be doable without the CNA but much harder for me. Also, CNA's working alone without the nurses are next to impossible. Hope this puts it into perspective for someone.
JessLPN001
17 Posts
o.k. heres my 2 cents even though no body asked. I am a LPN but I worked for as a CNA for almost 2 1/2 yrs b4 I became an LPN. First off let me say that you will work with that CNA that knows whats expected as far as their job is concerned, and don't mind assisting a nurse b/c it is there job. At the same time as a CNA you will work with that nurse that understands that you have showers to do ppl to feed vs to get ice to pass call lights to answer and anything else that is asked of you, and lets their thanks be known when you help them. I myself try to always say please and thankyou when talking to my CNA's. So even though assisting a nurse is the CNA's job; common courtesy goes along way. (not to be confused with foot kissing). This reminds me of a quote from To Kill A Mocking you know the one about "walking a mile in the other person's shoes"