RN's and CNA's working together

hikernurse · Mar 21, 2008

Love 'em . They do a lot of hard work and spend time with the patients that I am not able to r/t nursing tasks I have. My overall experience (with only one exception) has been very positive.

I was a CNA before I became a nurse and I wish I had known then how appreciated CNAs are by nurses.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

Totally depends on the CNA and the unit. The CNA you're working with can make or break your shift. It also depends a bit on your expectations versus reality. On my unit, each CNA has, on average, 12-15 patients. As a result of this, there are nights where I hardly see the CNA at all. On these nights, I spend way too much time getting water and blankets and toileting and ambulating patients and too little time checking on lab results, medications, treatments, etc. And documentation? I'll be staying late to finish. On a good night with a good CNA, I can really focus in on my nursing priorities and know that the patients' needs are being met.

SillyStudent, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

I am on a unit that does not have any aides, and I wish we had them. Great CNA's are a total asset to the team. Poorly trained CNA's with attitude are a total hindrance.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

I will ALWAYS appreciate my CNAs for the work they do...if they aren't working, that's another story. After being one first, I think that, as a RN, I will certainly be able to tell them what I need done but what is pressing and what isn't...if they look frazzled and busy, I'm not going to interrupt them to ask them to put SCD boots on patients..I'll do it myself....if I need to roll someone over, I'd rather do it myself if possible, cause by the time you wait...puts you behind...(of course, being safe on my back plays a big role)....

I like to feel that I'm a help, but I know I have bad nights where I'm not much of one...where the minimum is all I can do due to all the patients, etc....so I do what I can.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2008

Having a good CNA is truly wonderful! Like SillyStudent said "Great CNA's are a total asset to the team. Poorly trained CNA's with attitude are a total hindrance."

imanedrn · Mar 22, 2008

I've never "hated" one, but I had trouble with one the first few times I worked with her. She's much older than me and has been in nursing waaay longer than me, so I'm sure it was that irritation you see when a new nurse tells an experienced CNA what to do... When I worked with her a few weeks later, I said something like, "I think we got off on the wrong foot before. I'm sorry about that" -- and that was it! I KNEW I needed her help if I was going to get by, so I opened the door. That day (and every day after) she's been SO incredibly helpful to me -- and we haven't brought the previous encounters up again.

I also learned it was useful to ask her if ***I*** could help her clean up X patient, for example, when she has the time -- rather than ordering her to do it (or other tasks) alone. (I'm very matter of fact, so -- although I'm older than most new nurses -- it's taken me many years to learn tact!)

With other CNAs, I often ask if they're currently busy if I need them to do something in the next 15 mins or so. Otherwise, I just ask if they can do X task before X time period.

I could not survive without my CNAs. There are SO MANY tasks that I take for granted -- that I realized when I didn't have the aforementioned CNA helping me.

I always make sure to thank (over and over...) my CNAs at the end of my shift. I actually wish I could do more for them! :bowingpur

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Mar 22, 2008

Well, a good one makes the whole routine go more smoothly, work get done more easily and quicker. A poor one does the reverse.

I've had shifts with good aides on, and have been SO glad to see them! And then there's the shifts when I see it's So-and-So on, and I just know I'm going to be essentially without an aide at all, for all the help she is.

It's not a love-em-or-hate-em proposition. It's all in the quality of the employee!

MaryAnn_RN · Mar 22, 2008

I've worked with some excellent health care assistants, really go out of their way to provide quality care. Then again, worked with one until recently that seemed to have the chair stuck to her bum, and was more or less running an eBay business from work. Luckily she is in the minority. Two of our health care assistants are currently doing their RN education, but have stayed on part time : )

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 22, 2008

It would not be fair for me to say either, because it sounds like asking if we love or hate them is generalizing their vocation and qualities. It totally depends on the aide and the circumstances. I will just shorten it and say that I need and love GOOD aides. It is the same as working with other nurses. As an LPN, there are some RNs I work under that I adore, others I am afraid to have to lean on them for decisions or actions because I clearly don't trust that particular person. It is not about the title or responsibilities...it is the person performing them.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2008

I used to be one of them:loveya:

We worked as a team.

When team nursing went to primary care nursing it was like I was a CNA with RN responsibilities.....