I'm an RN, been working at the same LTC for 8 years. I'm also 4 months pregnant with my 4th child.
For the past 6 months or so, RNs & LPNs have been scheduled to cover CNA shifts due to the worst staffing shortage I've ever seen at this place. We can get pool aides to come in once in awhile, but very rarely.
I've done a couple shifts - it's pretty terrible, mainly because I was never trained as an aide at this facility (I did work as a CNA for 2 years about 10 years ago). I basically follow another CNA around and we do every single person together.
Another nurse I work with ran right out to her doc when this scheduling started and he happily wrote her a note getting her out of it. He couldn't believe this was how we were handling our staffing. I know of one other nurse that flat out refuses to do it and has said she will walk off the job if she's ever scheduled to be a CNA.
I don't want to come off as a snob, like I'm better than doing this sort of work, but I honestly have no idea what I'm doing when I'm supposed to work as a CNA, training is not an option and I only work weekends so I don't think I'd ever get "used to it." I don't feel like it's safe at times and I don't think it's fair that some nurses have to do it, while others just throw a fit and get out of it.
Where I work, we trained in all areas from clerk to CNA as a part of our orientation before being placed with a nurse preceptor. So, I would gladly do some blood sugars and vital signs at 1.5 my pay. Plus a nurse would recognize a patient in danger vs a CNA that may just record some ridiculous VS and not report it. Safer for the patient. Ego buster for others. Anyways, the LTC should invest in a staffing company to save money and staff appropriately.
This is a common practice that is done to LPNs in the hospital setting. I work in LTC and I am fortunate and have an adequate CNA staff. When we have a low census as we do now, and I enter a patients room and they want to be dressed or changed I just do it. I feel like it is my job as much as it is the aides job. It is all about the resident/patient. Taking care of immediate needs it reduces fall risk and skin breakdown. But I totally understand your dismay, you worked hard and spent a huge sum on your degree to be a nurse and feel it is unfair, because essentially that is not what you signed up for. The work of a CNA (especially a good one) is under-paid because it is very very...taxing on the body since lifting/assisted lifting can tear up your back if you do this on a daily basis. Nurses, typically assist in these activities, not do them as their sole job role. Patient care is always Top priority and dignity issues fall into that (changing, bathing, dressing) But when you decided to be a nurse I am sure you considered what your body was able to tolerate and have a set of knowledge that is going to waste in the working role of a nurses aide. Seek other employment. Don't be a ninny like the others with doc excuses. God Bless.
Blaquechinadoll
41 Posts
Where I work, we trained in all areas from clerk to CNA as a part of our orientation before being placed with a nurse preceptor. So, I would gladly do some blood sugars and vital signs at 1.5 my pay. Plus a nurse would recognize a patient in danger vs a CNA that may just record some ridiculous VS and not report it. Safer for the patient. Ego buster for others. Anyways, the LTC should invest in a staffing company to save money and staff appropriately.