RN's that dont like showering? Whats with that?

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Hi

I would like to share with you about a situation regarding a couple of RNs that dont like doing showers. I work as a nurses aide in a team nursing environment, well that is what the hospital prides itself on however its now becoming a joke. Another nurses aide and another nurse LPN have been confronted by RNs who state to them that they will need to do all the showers, answer buzzers etc. So the patient load would be 10-11 patients. So the nurse aide did about 10 showers, made beds, answer buzzers etc. I advised this nurse aide to report that RN as its not fair and you are not a machine. She shrugged it off with the idea she will not be listened to.

I am studying for my RNs and I work too as a nurse aide. If I did come across this RN I would be telling her bluntly what I think and definetly reporting her. I cannot believe the mentality of some RNs believing that they dont have to shower anyone anymore. That is certainly not what I have been taught and I have no problems showering patients. It truly amazes me in this day and age that the team nursing model of care is disrupted.

Does anyone have this kind of problem where they work? What have you done to resolve?

Look forward to your reply :rolleyes:

Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Psych.

I've read a great deal on this CNA vs. RN subject on this website. After reading this post, though, my thoughts have changed. I'll be applying to work as a CNA soon, and I think that I'll lay off the nurses for a while. If I need help, maybe I'll try to enlist other Aides instead of the busy RN's. We'll see.

CrazyPremed

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Well there is a difference of helping out and not helpingl. Especially when an RN is patronising to a PCA and the pca had to do 10 showers.

The other day my RN did one shower and I did hmm 5 showers and a sponge and she did one shower. With one of the showers she said she was so busy that one of the showers had to turn into a sponge. That never came to that as I knew this patient desperately wanted a shower. So I went to get another PCA on the ward and got help to get this lady out of bed on a sling hoist. This patient has a stroke too, so that is more heavy with a leg problem that cannot bend. So we managed with this lady and she was glad for a shower. So my point is if the RN and I can delegate that is great, and if there is another PCA on the ward that can help than that is great. But what is not great, is the RN immediately states I cant do all the showers and be patronising and unapproachable during the shift. What happens if there is no other PCA's to help. Who to go to then. As I will not and I know other PCAs wont bust their guts to break their back.

I am a team player and once I become RN, I wont stop wiping bums or showering. Its what I learnt in nursing school and have done with previous jobs. I am not saying I enjoy it but it has to be done.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
what is not great, is the RN. . .[is]. . .patronising and unapproachable during the shift. What happens if there is no other PCA's to help. Who to go to then. As I will not and I know other PCAs wont bust their guts to break their back. . .I am a team player and once I become RN, I wont stop wiping bums or showering. Its what I learnt in nursing school and have done with previous jobs. I am not saying I enjoy it but it has to be done.

Who do you go to if there is no one else to help? This is what I am telling you to find the answers to. What say you other experienced RNs reading this? I want to know what the other patients needs are in regard to being showered. I want to know which of the other CNAs are willing to pitch in to help a fellow worker. I want to know if someone coming in on the next shift would be willing to help out? They have to be team players too, not just you. You can't, unfortunately, make anyone do anything. We can only be responsible for our own actions. I have no doubt that as an RN you will handle this kind of situation much better because of your experience at it. But, I am also saying to work smart; prioritize. One hundred years from now, no one is going to care that you busted your butt today to get Mrs. Smith showered. If Mrs. Smith gets what we call a "spit bath" (pits, tits and ass) today she is, at least, not smelling of B.O., so Mrs. Jones can get doused and hosed down today. Mrs. Smith can be first on the list for a shower tomorrow. :chuckle Is that so bad? I don't see that as a failure on the part of the CNA.

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"spit bath" (pits, tits and ass)

Lol, I like that term :p

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Specializes in ICU.

I am a junior year nursing student and I also work as a PCT part time during school year, and full time in the summer. As a PCT, my responsibilities are baths, beds, VS, phlebotomy, urine samples/guiac testing, taking patients to CT/MRI/discharging/etc, accucheks, answering lights, etc. I work on a telemetry floor and during the day shift we are supposed to have 3 techs, which comes out to about 10-12 patients each; a couple of times there has been only 2 techs and it was crazy, the highest patient load I've had was 19; which personally, I think is overwhelming. 12 hour shifts go by so quickly when you're running down the halls trying to get everything done, like I will realize when I get home that I haven't had a bathroom break all day. On my floor, there are always tons of orders for phlebotomy that is coming in (those ptt's!!) which stresses me out at times, but has made me really good at sticking. Those days I get so frustrated because of this staffing, it's not about the nurses but with management IMO. I know the nurses are very very busy with TONS of responsibility way beyond the scope of a PCT (it is interesting to see both points of view as I am working towards my RN, BSN), but I don't like some of the attitude I am given when I politely report to SOME of the nurses that I could not get the blood stick (which is protocol) and she/he acts like I'm lazy or something because I work my behind off!! I am exhausted at the end of the day! Through it all, I still love working and it is very rewarding and I can only hope it will be even more as I finish my schooling and begin my career. Thanks for letting me vent ;)

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