Stna's driving me insane, I feel like a babysitter.

SarasotaRN2b · May 26, 2005

First, can you clarify what you mean by STna's? I'm not familiar with that term. Second, I applaude you for the patience shown to these other three. It is never easy being in a new job, but when you are treated continuously as an outsider, that's horrible. One of these days, one of these other ladies (term loosely used) will be the "new kid" and maybe they will get a little of their own medicine.

Kris

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 26, 2005

STNA? Student nurse???

bsnrnoh · May 26, 2005

STNA = State Tested Nurse Aide

Michelle. · May 26, 2005

We sometimes have the same problems. I'm a Cna *assuming its the same as a stna* going for my LPN this aug.

We tend to have 3 aides on my hall with a few more than 30 residents.

My suggestion is-- if this girl is new, You should make one of the other 3 partner up with her. She shouldn't have to work by herself if she isn't comfortable with it. And any insuboridination would require a write up. We always make the new girl at my job partner up with one of us to make sure she is taught well, and to tell her certain aspects on a paticular resident. Usually we end up letting her do residents on her own with us in the same room, in case she comes across a problem.

Hopefully this suggestion will help with your current situation and any others that may arise.

tiffanycmt · May 26, 2005

I would like to commend you for the way you approached that situation. Also, I am a cna/cmt so with that position i am obligated to show leadership skills. When i am "o" someone i make sure to answer any questions they have, NEVER leave them alone and try to explain all the "little things" to them. At our facility we run in the same type of problem but the way I figure they didnt know everything to do when they first started. I know i still forget to clip this on that occasionly. Working as a team in a LTC facility is SO important. Not only for time reasons but for safety reasons as well. The way I figure it is dont stand around unless everyone is in bed. We arent here for rooms 101-110 were here for each and every resident in our facility and they all pay darn good money to be there and that should mean they need darn good care. Oh and tell your girls how lucky they are 4 AIDES FOR 30 RESIDENTS WOW!!! We have sometimes 2 aides for 35 FULL CARE residents almost all in mech lifts. Again, good job and dont think about quitting b/c it sounds like your doing a great job. Best of luck God Bless Tiffany Oh also have they thought maybe shes going so slow b/c shes doing a more thorough job. maybe thats something for them to think about maybe they could learn a thing or two from her...hmmmmmm

Michelle. · May 26, 2005

I would like to commend you for the way you approached that situation. Also, I am a cna/cmt so with that position i am obligated to show leadership skills. When i am "o" someone i make sure to answer any questions they have, NEVER leave them alone and try to explain all the "little things" to them. At our facility we run in the same type of problem but the way I figure they didnt know everything to do when they first started. I know i still forget to clip this on that occasionly. Working as a team in a LTC facility is SO important. Not only for time reasons but for safety reasons as well. The way I figure it is dont stand around unless everyone is in bed. We arent here for rooms 101-110 were here for each and every resident in our facility and they all pay darn good money to be there and that should mean they need darn good care. Oh and tell your girls how lucky they are 4 AIDES FOR 30 RESIDENTS WOW!!! We have sometimes 2 aides for 35 FULL CARE residents almost all in mech lifts. Again, good job and dont think about quitting b/c it sounds like your doing a great job. Best of luck God Bless Tiffany Oh also have they thought maybe shes going so slow b/c shes doing a more thorough job. maybe thats something for them to think about maybe they could learn a thing or two from her...hmmmmmm

well said Tiffany!!!

KrisRNwannabe · May 26, 2005

I understand how you feel. As a student I am not popular with the aides on my floor. we do 2-12 shifts for clinical. the aides like to go to break at 9:00 am. which i have no problem with unless your morning vitals are not done or charted. if they are not complete then no break at 9. I start passing meds at 8:45. I need morning vitals to pass BP meds. the nurses don't usually say anything to them. if they see they aren't charted then they just do them again. well I don't like to do work twice. This one paticular aide I have to chase around for everything. she has wrote down on a sheet of paper she carries with her. I told her to chart her stuff and she told me she didn't like me asking her for all this stuff and told her fine then do your job and chart it and i won't have to. sometimes I have to beg them to baths and turns. sometimes aides can make the nurses job easier and sometimes they can make it harder.

Michelle. · May 26, 2005

At my LTF, the med techs are the ones that have to take the daily vitals on the residents that have conditions changes, falls, new meds, etc.

During the first through the 5th of every month, we have to take ALL vitals and weights for every resident on our hall-- i believe that's enough for any aide. Of course, if i believe a resident has a temp- i'll grab the therm. and take it and report it.

We have a lot of responsibility and a heavy workload for the amount of pay that we recieve as it is. Instead of griping... maybe you should HELP the aides!!! You are able to take a BP too.

Sorry to vent, but as a CNA i KNOW how rough it is and can be. Its not always OUR fault.

tiffanycmt · May 26, 2005

After reading this i feel the need to vent yet again lol. i work in a ltc facility and i think if your doing a blood pressure med YOUR GIVING IT you should take the blood pressure. What if the aide gives you a false reading and you go ahead and give the med are you not liable for that??? I would NEVER give a dig or any sort of bp med without checking it myself i feel its unsafe. Also, the way you describe it you are kinda rude to your aides. i believe you treat them with respect they in turn will treat you with respect. ITS ALL ABOUT TEAM WORK as i privously said. working as a cna you are constantly getting demanded to this and do that we like you nurses have two arms and two legs if your a responsible cna or nurse you get done what you can but make sure your doing a adequate job. As far as breaks they are within state law and they are much needed. grrr i hope i misread that and am just venting but remember without the aides you would be doing all the work God Bless Tiffany

nckdl · May 26, 2005

Thanks everyone for your input. It's is off to work i go again and I just hope everyone works like a team because our rsdnts get better care when we are "on the ball". And yes stna is a state tested nurses aide. Thanks again.

Cassinia · May 26, 2005

After reading this i feel the need to vent yet again lol. i work in a ltc facility and i think if your doing a blood pressure med YOUR GIVING IT you should take the blood pressure. What if the aide gives you a false reading and you go ahead and give the med are you not liable for that??? I would NEVER give a dig or any sort of bp med without checking it myself i feel its unsafe. Also, the way you describe it you are kinda rude to your aides. i believe you treat them with respect they in turn will treat you with respect. ITS ALL ABOUT TEAM WORK as i privously said. working as a cna you are constantly getting demanded to this and do that we like you nurses have two arms and two legs if your a responsible cna or nurse you get done what you can but make sure your doing a adequate job. As far as breaks they are within state law and they are much needed. grrr i hope i misread that and am just venting but remember without the aides you would be doing all the work God Bless Tiffany

I worked in a hospital and we frequently had 1 - 2 aide for the whole unit on pms, sometimes we'd be lucky enough for a 3rd aide. Many of the other nurses had problems with the aides doing things for them, but I never did. The reason? Very simply, I helped the aides if they needed it. The other Rns would call the aides to take pts off of bedpans knowing the aide was tied up. I would just do it. When I asked for assistance, I never had problems w/aides helping me, they were glad to. Again, it was because they knew I would help them or get the light or whatever myself if they were tied up. I always told them I would never expect them to do something I myself would not do.