So and So needs me now

"I planted my new backbone in a pot today so hopefully I can use it soon. "

:)

Good for you for recognizing what may need to be done. When your backbone is fully mature, I believe that you will need to talk one-on-one with the NA and just let her know, very matter-of-factly, that you have noticed that she is never available to assist you. Ask if she is aware of the need to prioritize her tasks (i.e., patient care always comes first). Perhaps comment that it is unfortunate that you may find it necessary to document her lack of performance, unless she has any suggestions....??

From one who also had to learn to delegate....

She always says though that there is only one of her and so many of us. And its not that I do not ask my other nurses for help but thats kind of why she is there.. to assist the nurses.

By the way I planted my new backbone in a pot today so hopefully I can use it soon.

AWESOME!

I am a GN so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I do have experience working with people. I would simply say "You can do that after this." It leaves no room for arguement or confrontation, and doesn't create a scene. If she flat our refuses, then I'd move up to more aggressive wording. Unless it's actually life threatening most things can wait a bit, at least until you've established a more appropriate working relationship and feel you can give her a little slack. I would start with this, and be FIRM. If she says "but....." reiterate your statement with all the authority you can muster.

I work in a ER where the techs do nothing but draw labs and do EKGs. Pretty much I try to do what I can by myself or with other nurses but if I do need them I directly say "I need you here now" and assure them it's just for a few minutes. Also I use a little humor to back it up. And if you start helping them when they need help, they may be more willing to help you when you need it. Look at how you're coming across because you may have the "RN thing" going for you where they feel like they're a task horse and not valued. I ask them for help in codes and traumas and they feel like I respect their opinion and help, not just when I'm cleaning poo :) I was an aide a million years ago when I was in school but still remember the RNs who would come across with an attitude of just bossing the aides around. When they say they have to do their hourly outputs, how about saying "Oh...I'll do mine so you're good there!" See where that gets you...

It's always the nurse with the backbone that the NA hates, but that's also the nurse that they know means business and things get done, at least in my experience. I've been the "nice" nurse that everyone likes to work with before, b/c I'm young, BUT I think I was also taken advantage of b/c they didn't thought I was too timid to put my foot down and say "this is what we're doing now!"

May not be a bad idea to build some rapport with her, as well as being straight forward about what you need and expect from her. She may be as busy as she claims to be, I know you are! I don't enjoy the atmosphere of tension between Nurses and Aides that sometimes exists. I'm not sure increasing to more aggressive wording will create a better daily working situation between either party.. Maybe in other environments that could work-just haven't witnessed it myself.

I am only an aide but have been a manager in the past and thought I would give my to cents lol. I really feel that asking someone for help is a lot better then telling someone to help you (not that you have done that). When you ask the aide if she can help and she says no then ask why. Maybe you could help the NA with what she needs to get done and then have her help you, or let the aide know in advance (if possible) what kind of items you are going to need her for so that she can prepare her day around that. I have a lot of respect for the Licensed Nurses out there and I know that you guys work really hard, but as an aide we also have a lot on our plate. When asked to help my nurse I usually drop whatever I am doing and go to help, but that is me. I have found if a nurse respects me and asks me nicely to come and help I am much more willing to do so. Like another PP said respect is the key.

I have worked as a CNA for two years in LTC and oncology and have, at times, been shocked at how little the nurses actually do (LTC). I remember on many occassions, a nurse sitting at the station across from a patients room, watching a patient call out for help, and not getting up to help, but instead calling an aide way down the hall who was very busy at work, to come help the patient!

However, in my oncology job as a CNA, most of the nurses are young like me, and they say please and thank you for the most part. I appreciate it so much, it makes me feel respected and valued as a team member. There will always be a few nurses who take advantage of their seniority over the aides, and tell the aide to do all the unpleasant work so they dont have to, even if they are not busy and the aide IS busy. The way I see it, the patient is ALWAYS the priority, and if I can't stop what I am doing to respond to a nurses request, then I simply say I could help in about 10 or 15 minutes but right now I am with a patient. I would never simply refuse to help - after all that is WHY I am there! I make sure to take my breaks, and I don't overstretch myself to kiss up to the nurses.

I have noticed though, that because I am very kind and willing to help everyone, that I almost always get the short end of the stick. But...it does me good too, because like I said, the nurses are polite and respectful to me. At the end of my long shift they thank me profusely and are always telling me how much they enjoy it when I am there.

It makes it worth it a lot of the time :)