If I may vent for a moment.....the other day, as I was perusing through the usual social media sites, I cringed as I came across a post written by a Patient Care Technician (PCT) who works in a clinic I used to manage. She stated how good it felt to know her patient trusts her more than any of the RNs on the floor. Below this post were numerous other comments from other technicians applauding this and detailing other discussions they've had with patients about this same thing. "RNs are really only there for the license and to pass meds" (double cringe).
As an RN of almost 15 years now, this is certainly not the first time I've heard of this. I've heard it and experienced it many times before. Regardless, I have a great respect for LPNs and unlicensed professionals such as CMAs, CNAs, EMTs, and PCT. They are some of the most skilled, competent, and fast-on-their-feet individuals I've known. They were especially invaluable to my learning as a brand new nurse on the floor. In many specialties, an RN will spend a great deal of their orientation with them due to their technical knowledge and skill.
While the contention that exists sometimes between licensed and unlicensed personnel is an issue as old as time, my frustration is not with the viewpoints on the unequal division of labor, or who is more skilled/knowledgeable, or even who works harder. My issue is when we encourage these thoughts, discussions, and ideas with our patients and other team members---oh yes... and now on social media?? With the number of medical errors reported across the country and the negative media attention health care organizations and healthcare professionals receive for "incompetent care," we just can't afford this attitude and behavior. It undermines teamwork which ultimately undermines the quality and safety of the care we give our patients. More importantly (whether we realize it or not) it undermines the trust of our patients have in us as a department, unit, clinic, organization, and industry. Can we not lift each other up and support each other...especially in front of our patients?
They might not be HS Dropouts, but unless they are nursing students, or nursing school wannabees, they have a minimal educational preparation to do what they do in nursing homes, etc.
Our senior citizens, and our disabled, deserve better educationally prepared workers, than what they get in nursing homes.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the money that is paid to care for the most vulnerable individuals, goes to six figure salaried, CEOs, top dollar overhead, money to investors. This money comes off the top, and what little is left goes for actual care in nursing homes.
Specializes in SNF, Home Health & Hospice, L&D, Peds.
I moved to Maine from Washington state. Before moving to Maine I had never seen or heard of CNA-Med Tech's but here in Maine that is all that seems to be used in LTC for meds. It has been a problem for me because as the Charge Nurse I have seen over and over the CNA staff go to the med-tech to ask about nursing decisions and they freely make decisions that should only be made by the licensed nurse and I have addressed it with the respective med-tech. They also have been called "the nurse" which I correct and explain the difference which makes me seem like a b-I-t-c-h but I worked hard for my license and have kept it in good standing for 26 years. I believe the patients have the right to understand the difference.
lindarn
1,982 Posts
They might not be HS Dropouts, but unless they are nursing students, or nursing school wannabees, they have a minimal educational preparation to do what they do in nursing homes, etc.
Our senior citizens, and our disabled, deserve better educationally prepared workers, than what they get in nursing homes.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the money that is paid to care for the most vulnerable individuals, goes to six figure salaried, CEOs, top dollar overhead, money to investors. This money comes off the top, and what little is left goes for actual care in nursing homes.
JMHO and my NY $0.02
Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN, (ret)
Somewhere in the PACNW