We're not here for that

beckyboo1, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2014

I'm in my last semester of my BSN. During my clinical time, I usually do try to steer away from doing too much of the aide-type work. Not because I think I'm too good, or because I think I won't be doing that in my job, but because I am there to learn. I have been a CNA for several years and know how to toilet, transfer, ambulate, pericare, etc. What I do not know is IV med administration, checking for interactions, giving blood products.... The list goes on and on about nursing things I still have to learn, so I try to maximize my time by getting in on all the things I'm not comfortable with.
That being said, if your classmate was doing nothing better than standing around while that patient needed help- shame on her. And good for you for taking care of the patient.

Can't believe this post wasn't commented by. You have GOT to be kidding me! So if someone is soiled, you're going to go off looking for learning opportunities? I hate to tell you this, but nursing is a continuous learning process. Yes, we all know how to do basic care. But thinking you shouldn't have to do it in clinicals so you can find more interesting things to do? That's just sad.

Might be interesting when you get an actual job as an RN.

mmaibaue · Feb 19, 2014

I worked ICU for 6 years on the midnight shift. No doctors, no unit secretaries, and no CNA. I learned more nursing information when I turned a patient to clean up a stool only to realize it was tarry (GI bleed?), oral care and their gums bled ( whats the INR?) or their tongue is bright red ( folic acid deficiency?), whats a better time to listen to lungs than when your turning your patient to asses for skin breakdown. Discovering a yeast infection during peri care and getting the appropriate treatment from the doctor ( an aide can't do this). Empty a foley and see it is tea color ( muscle breakdown?) Aide work is valuable nurse work. If you respect your aides ( if your lucky enough to have them) they will gladly fill you in on these important facts about your patient otherwise you may miss them in your busy nursing duties of passing medications. We are all taking on more an more responsibilities and we need to help each other but more importantly we must make sure our patients needs are met first and foremost.

hermione77 · Feb 21, 2014

At my school, this attitude varies. One semester's clinical instructor told us it doesn't matter whose patient it is, if they need personal care and you aren't busy, you do it. The next semester's instructor told us we would NOT be doing personal care because it would keep us busy when we should be out finding a nurse to let us do nursing procedures. I can see both instructor's points of view, but personally I just don't feel right about walking away if a patient needs help -- doubly true if I'm not doing anything. I would never be able to stand outside a room for 15 minutes while a patient sits in a mess because it's "not my job." Sorry, it IS my job.

_Kaneohe · Feb 21, 2014

You're awesome :) I wish I had clinical with you.

uRNmyway, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2014

Argh, it drives me nuts when people get on their soap boxes about having to work as a CNA/tech before going to nursing school. I've said it before and I'll say it again.

That is pure crap!

Work ethics are work ethics. They were instilled in me by my mother and my clinical instructors. I did not work a day of my life as a tech or CNA. I needed to make more than that to pay my way through school, so I waitressed (although, sometimes waitressing feels pretty similar to what we do).

You can ask anyone I work with, and they know I'm not one to delegate if I have time. I will get elbow deep in poop in an instant, and have no problem with bathing a patient either.

So rather than insisting people work as techs, maybe schools just need to instill better values with their students. And maybe, God forbid, PARENTS, aught to instill better values in their children.

Ok, off MY soapbox now.

Glycerine82, LPN · Feb 22, 2014

Argh, it drives me nuts when people get on their soap boxes about having to work as a CNA/tech before going to nursing school. I've said it before and I'll say it again.
That is pure crap!
Work ethics are work ethics. They were instilled in me by my mother and my clinical instructors. I did not work a day of my life as a tech or CNA. I needed to make more than that to pay my way through school, so I waitressed (although, sometimes waitressing feels pretty similar to what we do).
You can ask anyone I work with, and they know I'm not one to delegate if I have time. I will get elbow deep in poop in an instant, and have no problem with bathing a patient either.
So rather than insisting people work as techs, maybe schools just need to instill better values with their students. And maybe, God forbid, PARENTS, aught to instill better values in their children.
Ok, off MY soapbox now.

I get what you're saying, and you aren't wrong. There are a ton of awesome nurses who were never CNA's, but the reason I think nursing students should work as CNA's isn't for the experience, as much as it is to really understand how insanely difficult it is.

I feel like it can make CNAs more appreciated if a nurse has walked in their shoes once or twice. I don't even think it needs to be for a long time, but I absolutely think everyone should experience it. Many CNA's will eventually get the opportunity to see why it is that the nurse can't always help, and some of us even understand that now, but there are nurses who just don't understand what's so hard about being a CNA, and its irritating.

I always love it when an RN gets pulled to work as an aide on my floor. I've had some of them tell me, and I quote, "I have NO idea how you do that every day. My back is KILLING me."

Nolli · Feb 23, 2014

I think the key is respect. While I found working in the capacity of a CNA for a stint during schooling very helpful it didn't change my attitude towards anyone. I always respected everyone. CNAs, Environmental, bioengineering, registration, everyone has a role to play. I'm sure everyone has experienced problems when there wasn't a clean room to put a patient in, when the equipment didn't work, when the system went down, or when you had all the call bells going at once. They are not lower than me because they don't have the same education or job and I don't become a better person than they are when I get my degree. Some people may never have that kind of respect for people regardless of whether or not they are forced to work as a CNA as a prerequisite for nursing school.

Katie71275 · Feb 23, 2014

I'm a nurse now, grad May 2013, and no way would that be acceptable. Nurses are responsible for everything from nursing care on dow(which includes CNA duties, clerk duties, etc). Does it suck sometimes? ABSOLUTELY! But you don't leave a patient in a mess b/c "it's not my job". I'm an L&D nurse, and often I go into the patient room, and if they ask to be put on the bedpan, you can bet your bottom dollar, I am going to do it, not go out the room looking for an aide.

barcode120x, RN, NP · Feb 23, 2014

In response to the OP, I have a classmate that has a similar mindset; although, he doesn't stand outside waiting for the CNA. I remember going around asking all the CNAs if they needed help with anything (pretty much all of them said they were OK) and my classmate pulled me aside and straight up told me that I really shouldn't be asking for work. Although we are nursing students and despite the fact that clean-ups are part of our duty, the aides are specifically there for that purpose and it is their job. My buddy wasn't being lazy or anything, he basically said that as nurses, we have more important things to deal with at the moment (which is true, charting, meds, etc) and aides are there to well, aide us (the nurses) while we attend to our other duties.

I too was surprised, but along the way, it does make sense to some extent, but I am always willing to extend a helping hand to any aide (sometimes I think they work harder than some nurses).

ellaballet · Feb 23, 2014

Argh, it drives me nuts when people get on their soap boxes about having to work as a CNA/tech before going to nursing school. I've said it before and I'll say it again.
That is pure crap!
Work ethics are work ethics. They were instilled in me by my mother and my clinical instructors. I did not work a day of my life as a tech or CNA. I needed to make more than that to pay my way through school, so I waitressed (although, sometimes waitressing feels pretty similar to what we do).
You can ask anyone I work with, and they know I'm not one to delegate if I have time. I will get elbow deep in poop in an instant, and have no problem with bathing a patient either.
So rather than insisting people work as techs, maybe schools just need to instill better values with their students. And maybe, God forbid, PARENTS, aught to instill better values in their children.
Ok, off MY soapbox now.

I agree, I work with tons of laaaazy CNAs whos bad attitude will cary through with them to their career as a RN. Some people are just not nice, its the way it is. I work with some awesome nurses that never stepped foot in a hospital until they started clinical. Its all about your attitude and values. I am a hard working girl. I have busted my little butt for the last 2 years as a tech and I plan on doing so once I graduate nursing school! Working as a nursing tech for 2 years has benefited me personally, and I would recommend it to someone if they were unsure about going into nursing like I was.