The problem with Some new nurses

Published

I work at a hospital. We have CNA's some nurses think it's bellow them to even take their patient to the bathroom. Hell they even refuse to get water if the patient needs it. Sometimes the unit is filled and all 30 beds are occupied and due to staffing issues, we only have 1 NA. An NA who is expected to run to bed alarms, get snacks, change an incontinent and take patients to the bathroom. I mean I've seen nurses complain about even placing a bedpan on the patient. It's ridiculous. When did nursing change and how do we change it back to being a team job?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I work at a hospital. We have CNA's some nurses think it's bellow them to even take their patient to the bathroom. Hell they even refuse to get water if the patient needs it. Sometimes the unit is filled and all 30 beds are occupied and due to staffing issues, we only have 1 NA. An NA who is expected to run to bed alarms, get snacks, change an incontinent and take patients to the bathroom. I mean I've seen nurses complain about even placing a bedpan on the patient. It's ridiculous. When did nursing change and how do we change it back to being a team job?

If they're staffing one CNA for 30 patients, they might need more players on the "team". I don't mind getting water and toileting patients, but I often have higher priority tasks that I have to give greater consideration to. It's not always a matter of "wanting" to help, or not.

That being said, there are plenty of lazy nurses and CNAs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

I am just curious as to how the post pertains to new nurses.

popcorn-and-drink-smiley-emoticon.gif

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are barking up the wrong tree.

Nursing didn't change. Corporate health care changed nursing.

Your unit is obviously understaffed. We all know one CNA for 30 patients is not adequate. Are you aware of the nurse/ patient ratio?

It was never that I felt passing water and toileting a patient was EVER below me...the MAN kept piling so much responsibility on me, that I could not take on one more task.

Know your battles, pick them wisely.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

Some nurses do delegate out of convenience, which shouldn't happen. Other nurses delegate when they can't meet that particular need within a reasonable amount of time. The reason you have a job is to help with these kinds of things. I know it seems like the nurse might not be doing anything, but there are SO MANY things going on that you don't notice, and you shouldn't.

Maybe she's in the middle of a med pass with narcs in her hand, maybe someone just fell and she has to do a neruo check, who knows - the fact is we can't do everything for every patient or else we wouldn't need CNAs.

And believe me, I know what it's like, I really do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, trauma.

I was a CNA for 4 years while i was in nursing school. It's not just *new* nurses. A better way to phrase it would be "Why do some nurses think it's below them to take a patient to the bathroom?"

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I mean I've seen nurses complain about even placing a bedpan on the patient. It's ridiculous.

You really shouldn't be placing the bedpans on the patients. Taking the Earth's gravitational force into account, it kind of defeats the purpose ;)

Sometimes the unit is filled and all 30 beds are occupied and due to staffing issues, we only have on NA.

As you've correctly identified you seem to be having staffing problems. Unless the missing CNA's are compensated with extra RNs/LPNs, then it seems like the entire unit is shortstaffed these shifts. How many patients do the nurses have each? The problem is that their workload/tasks that require a nursing license/education remain the same even when you're one or two CNA's short. In this situation as a nurse, you sometimes have to prioritize and fetching a snack will likely place way down on the list.

If the CNA is running her or himself ragged while the nurses sit, twiddle their thumbs, watching the latest episode of Bloodline, then yes that is a problem. However, if everyone is running around like a chicken with its head cut off, then you have a staffing level problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Ummmm, it's called delegation. Especially when you are brand new and learning just how to do the job, you have to learn to delegate. I have trouble delegating and that is why I don't get to leave on time. It's on my mind everyday to get better at it. When you are new, and new to charting, interacting with the docs, answer a bazillion calls from family each day, it's hard. Very hard!! Oh plus all the meds, order input, tracking of vitals and urine output, dressing changes, treatments to be done. I left out the biggest, my assessments!!!! Sometimes, I have certain assessments due every hour!!! I have to chart all of that!!!

when your new and learning, you are slow. So if I have a tech around, I'm going to try and delegate what is within their scope of practice, so I can do what is within my scope of practice. Sorry if that little extra work bothers you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, Pulmonary, Travel, Homecare, Psych..

As others have pointed out, your battle is with management, not the nurses on your unit. If you feel overworked, (and it sounds like you are) your only option is to make management aware of the fact.

This is a labor dispute, not a teamwork issue.

Why is it not a teamwork issue? Simple: The CNA position is short staffed, and your expectation is that nurses make it all better for you.

That's not teamwork, that's nursing carrying you. Teamwork is give/take relation. In your entire post, there is no mention of how you can help the situation. It's only about what you want them to do for you.

Plenty of take..........but where is the give?

One NA for that many patients is outrageous. Don't worry about what the nurses are doing about it.....figure out what you are going to do about it. Me........I'd move on, but that's just me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
some nurses think it's bellow them to even take their patient to the bathroom.
Griping about this is wasted energy. You will never be able to change these nurses views regarding ADLs such as toileting and feeding. The only aspects you can control are your views and reactions to the situation.

Always remember that the nurses can help you complete all of your duties, but you cannot help them complete all of their tasks. So, while their time is sucked up slinging bedpans and feeding patients, they fall hopelessly behind with assessments, med pass and documentation that you cannot legally do for them.

The nurse's job looks easier to those who are on the outside looking in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Several off-topic posts have been removed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You really shouldn't be placing the bedpans on the patients. Taking the Earth's gravitational force into account, it kind of defeats the purpose ;)

LOL! Good point.

Over and over again, I've seen posts from nurses who were once CNAs. They almost always say "I had no idea how much work nurses were actually doing. I'm embarrassed at how I thought I knew so much..."

I agree that this is a management problem of chronic under staffing rather than a nurse or CNA problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion