What do your CNAs do ?

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Hi everyone. First time poster. I just wanted to ask what do your CNAs do?

I work on a floor where they do the the norm, such as beds, baths, cleaning patients,ice,drinks,etc. But they also do all the vitals, blood sugars, I/O's and they chart all in the computer. The reason I ask is that when we have PRN CNAs on the floor they all say each floor is different on what they let there CNAs do. So, what does your floors CNAs do?

Poppy

On my floor, as a nurse tech (and in my last semester of NS), I do VS's, FSBS, I&O's, baths, helping pt to BSC, toileting, answer call lights ect. We can suction with a yanker our trach pt's, I'm on respiratory. Help feed patients. We do not do anything foley related (besides emptying), no dressing changes, nothing with an IV. The only time the nurses may let us D/C something is if the person has passed.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
I work on a vent/trach unit and our CNAs do baths, weights, vital signs, feeding, and I & Os. We also have a hospitality aide that helps with feedings, passes ice, and makes beds. When we do not have a hospitality aide for the day then the CNAs pick up her duties.

Hospitality aide...interesting. How did that come about? I think its a fabulous idea for days. Not sure we would need it on nights, I am quite sure I can chase my techs off of youtube long enough to get ice.

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Specializes in long term care, vent/trach,.

The Hospitality aides are a very big help because they also stock all the gloves in the patients rooms and they also pack and unpack patients belongings. Of course the CNAs and Nurses can do everything that the hospitality aide does but it is a big relief to have them around when the CNA and Nurses are very busy.

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Where I'm working as a nurse now they do all the typical CNA things - baths, linens, ADL, food/drinks, and one set of vitals. I'm lucky if they do these things, though. I usually catch them in the break room talking up a storm, on their cell phones, cutting coupons, paying their bills. But whatever.

Where I worked as a student for a good year, the CNA did all of the above plus DC foleys, DC IVs, do ALL of the vital signs, record all of the I&Os, enemas, and blood sugars. Basically all the RN did was medication and paperwork. I was so spoiled then, and I feel SO jipped now. I think I'm going to quit where I am working now and go back to where I was as a student.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Tele/CVICU.

WOW. I'm *amazed at what some of you say the CNA's in your areas do! Sounds like they may as well be LPN's.

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i work in an LTACH and the STNAs are invaluable.

they do vitals and blood sugars as well as any sort of basic patient care.

they are also extremely helpful and resourceful in any sort of situation (including codes)

i used to work as an aide and i think it helps when i have to ask for their assistance in something.

dont treat your nursing assistants like crap ever!

youd sink without them!

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