What can I do to help?

kessadawn, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2011

It's hard to help out your CNAs when you are still new enough to be trying to get yourself a good routine going. I think it sounds like you are helping a lot. It's unfortunate they are unappreciative, but I'm sure not all of them think of you as the nurse that doesn't help. I worked as a CNA for over 10 years before I was a nurse, and it made my day when the nurses would take someone to the bathroom or get them the bedpan! I think your help IS making a difference, sadly though, the CNAs are too overworked to notice or to selfish to care. Keep up the good work!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jan 24, 2011

The CNA's at my facility complain about nurses leaving the "dirty work" for them. Sometimes that cannot be avoided as the nurse has so many other duties and the CNA cannot do. I recommend trying to work together on tasks and ALWAYS treat the other person with respect.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jan 25, 2011

A long time ago when I was a nurse manager, I used to help the CNAs pass all the breakfast trays. My boss would ask me how I found the time! You'd be surprised what you can learn when you pass a tray....can they see you, hear you, remember you from the day before...how are their fine motor skills? You can learn all sorts of things. I had to assess these things anyway so I did it while I was passing trays. Saved me time and the CNAs loved the help.

It doesn't take much to let the CNAs know you appreciate what they do.

slrberry · Jan 25, 2011

Thanks for the replies. I work PMs and I am responsible for being present in the dining room when the residents eat, so when the dinner trays come, I help pass out the trays and get beverages.

Additionally, I work in a facility where we must use lifts if the residents are not able to transfer with minimal assistance, so I am still learning who uses which type of lift and who is able to transfer themselves. There have been times that I have asked the CNA's, and I have no problem helping with residents who are able to assist in transfering to the bathroom or bed if I have time, but it is a lot more time consuming, if I have to find a lift them assist them, so I let the CNAs handle those residents.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

Thanks for the replies. I work PMs and I am responsible for being present in the dining room when the residents eat, so when the dinner trays come, I help pass out the trays and get beverages.
Additionally, I work in a facility where we must use lifts if the residents are not able to transfer with minimal assistance, so I am still learning who uses which type of lift and who is able to transfer themselves. There have been times that I have asked the CNA's, and I have no problem helping with residents who are able to assist in transfering to the bathroom or bed if I have time, but it is a lot more time consuming, if I have to find a lift them assist them, so I let the CNAs handle those residents.

Thats where I draw the line. The lifts. I have no problem toileting someone who is a 1 assist. But where I work time seems to go by quicker than I can even remember it.

Theres nothing wrong with helping CNAs but you have your own assignment that has to be completed also.

Nurse_Tricia, LPN · Jan 25, 2011

I think because you are new, as I was and still am new just a year ago myself, they will take advantage of you because they know you are wanting to be liked by them. They figured out early that because I was new I would try to answer lights, take people to the bathroom, etc. to show I was a team player. So, when my cart was near their rooms, they would dissapear and I would answer their lights, etc. thinking I was helping them and they would just think I was the best. Until, one day I was almost an hour behind on my med pass because of all the help I was doing while they were out smoking on the porch. One of the other nurses said to me, why are you doing their work? are they going to help you with your work? and the answer was no. I do all my own vitals because when I first started one of my cnas came right up to the desk and right in front of me jotted down 7 sets of vitals all from her head, or should I say her *ss. So, over the past year I have earned their respect not by doing their work so much, but by giving great nursing care. You would be surprised that they recognize when someone truley cares and gives good care. After all, for the most part, they take ownership and have investment in their resident's care. They wouldn't allow the lights to go unanswered, they just knew I would answer them and they wanted to see how far they could push me. On the day it took me almost 3 hours to pass meds I wrote my first and last write up to date. But, it was well needed and the foolishness seemed to stop after that. The one cna who I had the most problem with has turned out to be my best cna. We have found mutual respect for each other as professionals. She knows that if she tells me something is off with one of her people, I will be right there and taking care of the issue. I do still assist with lights when needed, but I do it when I know everyone is busy and I know I can complete my work, or of course if it is an emergency.

In the begining, I wanted to be the nurse that all the cnas liked. Now, most of them like me, and then there are the couple who don't, but who cares. But now they like me because they see I tend to the residents, I rarely ever break, and I am the first person to come and help out when there is any crisis.

Just worry about giving great nursing care and the rest will fall into place. Good luck!!

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

I think you are doing great and doing what you can. Being a new nurse in LTC, it is hard enough to stay afloat with the nursing duties alone.

Do what you can when you can and you will see (as other posters mentioned) that it helps with assessments etc.

As far as the CNAs saying you don't help....there will ALWAYS be complainers.