What the heck is the matter with my Cnas?

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I had a CNA walk off the job last night (I work 10p-6a LTC) because in her opinion I'm a lazy nurse and she was sick of taking 2 of her residents to the bathroom (among other things). She complained the we (the nurses) were always checking up on her and acted as though we didn't want her to sit down. I have told my CNAs that while it may look like I'm checking behind you, it is only coincidence that I'm going in to do my assessement/pass meds/flush g-tubes after you happen to be coming out. I have zero time to be checking up on and following folks around. I have tube feeders, trachs, people with personal alarms, meds to pass, etc and I don't have time to be following CNAs who I presume to be grown men and women who know how to do their job. I've even brought my CNAs magazines and crosswords to help them occuupy their time while they are SITTING DOWN. Apparently the 5 call lights that I answered for her and the ice that I passed for her didn't count for anything. :banghead:Then tonight I had another CNA get mad because I asked her for 2 outputs, count 'em 2 outputs (a urostomy and an s/p cath), and to help me pull up one of my tube feeders whom she had left practically flat in her bed. At 5:45am she's standing by the time clock like she's all done and gives me attitude like I did something wrong. What in the world is wrong with people? :confused: I get that some people don't like their job as CNA. I understad that, been there done that. I've worked as a CNA before so I know the feeling. But am I supposed to do my job as charge nurse and their job because night shift is hard? If I have to work as charge nurse and CNA then what was the CNA hired to do?:angryfire

I can totally relate to that because I used to work as a CNA in the nursing home.

Here're my thoughts of being a CNA in the LTC:

When I was a CNA, I didn't like the way how the nurses 'ordered' me to do things such as "Go and answer the call light"/ Did you check the urine output? ... I felt like I was a 'slave' and I wasn't treated with respect. Moreover, I didn't know anything about the patient (In terms of medical history wise) and I didn't know the importance of measuring the I&O accurately. I would be appreciated if the nurse tells me the importance of taking I&O and maybe a little bit history about CHF and edema...etc.

My mom used to be a CNA and she's now a RN & manager in the LTC. I can proudly claim that she's the perfect leader and all the CNA loves her. My mom emphasised to the CNA about the importance of TEAMWORK and nurses and CNA are both working as a TEAM ! This shows that nurses appreciated CNA's hardwork and the CNA will also feel that they're part of the team.

Apart from that, my mom's willing to help out and answer the call lights and cleaning up the patients. The CNA really appreciated for my mom's help because it showed that they're both equal.

Last but not least, my mom created a fun working culture. For example, my mom & the CNA (her team) in her station would compete with the CNA from another station and see which station can get the patients ready first. My mom & the CNA also dressed up the patient and put their make up on. It was impressive to see all the elderly sitting at the wheelchair with their make ups and hats on :)

* * *

Right now, I'm working as a RN and I can totally relate myself into the CNA's shoe. That's why I'm planning to pursue to become an educator and teach CNA in the future :)

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I can totally relate to that because I used to work as a CNA in the nursing home.

Here're my thoughts of being a CNA in the LTC:

When I was a CNA, I didn't like the way how the nurses 'ordered' me to do things such as "Go and answer the call light"/ Did you check the urine output? ... I felt like I was a 'slave' and I wasn't treated with respect. Moreover, I didn't know anything about the patient (In terms of medical history wise) and I didn't know the importance of measuring the I&O accurately. I would be appreciated if the nurse tells me the importance of taking I&O and maybe a little bit history about CHF and edema...etc.

My mom used to be a CNA and she's now a RN & manager in the LTC. I can proudly claim that she's the perfect leader and all the CNA loves her. My mom emphasised to the CNA about the importance of TEAMWORK and nurses and CNA are both working as a TEAM ! This shows that nurses appreciated CNA's hardwork and the CNA will also feel that they're part of the team.

Apart from that, my mom's willing to help out and answer the call lights and cleaning up the patients. The CNA really appreciated for my mom's help because it showed that they're both equal.

Last but not least, my mom created a fun working culture. For example, my mom & the CNA (her team) in her station would compete with the CNA from another station and see which station can get the patients ready first. My mom & the CNA also dressed up the patient and put their make up on. It was impressive to see all the elderly sitting at the wheelchair with their make ups and hats on :)

* * *

Right now, I'm working as a RN and I can totally relate myself into the CNA's shoe. That's why I'm planning to pursue to become an educator and teach CNA in the future :)

I can feel the sunshine beam through the computer when you say, "my mom....". :yeah: How good for you that you have a mom that feels you with such pride. :p:heartbeat

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Sounds like you might have an ego problem, should she be doing her job, absolutely. But remember at the end of the day those patients are ultimately the responsibility of the RN, so don't let your title get in the way, you are not above any of the tasks the CNA's do. And remember she doesn't have a license on the line.

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When I was a CNA, I didn't like the way how the nurses 'ordered' me to do things such as "Go and answer the call light"/ Did you check the urine output? ... I felt like I was a 'slave' and I wasn't treated with respect. Moreover, I didn't know anything about the patient (In terms of medical history wise) and I didn't know the importance of measuring the I&O accurately. I would be appreciated if the nurse tells me the importance of taking I&O and maybe a little bit history about CHF and edema...etc.

My mom used to be a CNA and she's now a RN & manager in the LTC. I can proudly claim that she's the perfect leader and all the CNA loves her. My mom emphasised to the CNA about the importance of TEAMWORK and nurses and CNA are both working as a TEAM ! This shows that nurses appreciated CNA's hardwork and the CNA will also feel that they're part of the team.

Apart from that, my mom's willing to help out and answer the call lights and cleaning up the patients. The CNA really appreciated for my mom's help because it showed that they're both equal.

Last but not least, my mom created a fun working culture. For example, my mom & the CNA (her team) in her station would compete with the CNA from another station and see which station can get the patients ready first. My mom & the CNA also dressed up the patient and put their make up on. It was impressive to see all the elderly sitting at the wheelchair with their make ups and hats on :)

* * *

Right now, I'm working as a RN and I can totally relate myself into the CNA's shoe. That's why I'm planning to pursue to become an educator and teach CNA in the future :)

1) she was doing her job, her job is NOT to request but to tell....a pleasant tone of voice is good however

2) not her job, though i do it frequently if i feel the aide is interested

3) peruant to the criticism of the use of MY aides, do you own your mom?

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Morte, you said, "The CNA really appreciated for my mom's help because it showed that they're both equal."

Please understand that I am not degrading you mother but perhaps she is underming herself and her position. It sounds if she desires to be their friend more than their boss.

A RN and a CNA are in no wise equal. I worked and studied hard plus paid a lot of money to become a RN and would be offended if others thought of me as an equal to a CNA-on a professional level. We are not the same and it is our responsibility, in whatever setting, to ensure they are doing their jobs and that we are first and foremost, Patient Advocates and our patients and their well being are our main concerns.

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WOW! You are a GREAT Chrage Nurse, they wouldn't have had to walk out! They would have been escorted out around here!

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Morte, you said, "The CNA really appreciated for my mom's help because it showed that they're both equal."

Please understand that I am not degrading you mother but perhaps she is underming herself and her position. It sounds if she desires to be their friend more than their boss.

A RN and a CNA are in no wise equal. I worked and studied hard plus paid a lot of money to become a RN and would be offended if others thought of me as an equal to a CNA-on a professional level. We are not the same and it is our responsibility, in whatever setting, to ensure they are doing their jobs and that we are first and foremost, Patient Advocates and our patients and their well being are our main concerns.

crediting the wrong poster.....i assure you, my mother would never have put up with the BS,,,,

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Well, gramatically speaking yes, but I say my kids, my school, my this and that, but it is but a figure of speach and not that I own them. I use to say my workers when I was an office manager but, we're not talking about grammatics we're talking about dealing with CNA's who for whatever reason do not want to do their work; whether that be laziness or burn out-just as I often hear RN's experience. I actually appreciate it when someone referred to me as "my" I accept that as being respected and protected.

My opinion only of course.

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1) she was doing her job, her job is NOT to request but to tell....a pleasant tone of voice is good however

2) not her job, though i do it frequently if i feel the aide is interested

3) peruant to the criticism of the use of MY aides, do you own your mom?

On a further note, a CNA does not need to know what is going on with the patient in order to do their job nor do they need a reason to empty a cathater or anything else when asked. Furthermore, the RN is not obligated to explain any action taken on behalf of a patient to a CNA. If the CNA desires to know what is going on with a patient then he/she should look that information up in the chart if the facility and time allows for that.

The charge nurse is never to be undermined by the CNA and if the employee has a complaint that they cannot settle with a Supervisor, then there is always a superior authority that they can go to and complain.

I'm not sure where you received your CNA but I took my class some 20 years ago and was taught that I&O is routine in LTF and that there is always a reason if it's ordered. I believe that thoughts and ideas such as these is why we are having such problems in our work place that JavaMama98 is complaining about.

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Sounds like you might have an ego problem, should she be doing her job, absolutely. But remember at the end of the day those patients are ultimately the responsibility of the RN, so don't let your title get in the way, you are not above any of the tasks the CNA's do. And remember she doesn't have a license on the line.

I think you're way off u70324. I do not see any sign of an ego problem but a problem with those who are trying to undermine her authority and take advantage of the situation. I think she is doing way too much. The lic that you speak of is exactly what gives her authority to direct and ensure completion of those under her. Although the RN will find times she must perform a task listed under the responsibility of a CNA, it should not be happening daily and as often as it seems javamama98 is experiencing.

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Please take heart. :redpinkhe I think that the boundary was crossed when you started doing so much to 'help out' while she sat reading. Bringing magazines and the like.......maybe your considerate, I'm also considerate but you are now a RN. You're not there to make friends and I feel like you underminded yourself from the start. It may be residual from your own CNA days that you picked up so much slack for her but now she has come to expect it. At least that's how it seems to me.

Way not cool for her to walk off the job and call you lazy. Comparing my own duties to what you posted about her duties, I wish that we didn't have to do vitals. I do all that you mentioned and so much more at my hospital and it seems her responsibilities are so trivial, she should have no problem with them, however it appears like she has other things going on and just may be going through a hard time right now.

On a lighter note...I call the RN's I work with 'my RN's' all the time when I post or tell someone else about them. It's a term of endearment for me and never have I denoted any kind of disrespectful conotation. It makes me feel close to them if you can understand that. Like we are the team that we are. Of course when I address them, I call them by name. :p

I agree 100%

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On a further note, a CNA does not need to know what is going on with the patient in order to do their job."

Wrong. Thinking like that will lead to someone being hurt. I work as a nursing assistant on a med/surg unit and I need to know if a patient is on isolation precautions, is independent or needs assistance, if the patient is NPO or on any kind of special diet, if the patient is receiving special vitals for blood products, if the patient is a fall or wander risk, if the patient is going to or from surgery, if the patient uses a bed pan/BSC/brief, if the patient is CMO, if the patient needs specimens, if a patient needs a hat in order to measure output, etc. etc. etc. It's called communication. I can't get accurate reports from other nursing assistants, so I check the caredex. Sometimes it takes a while for any new info to appear on the caredex. On my floor the nurses are responsible for giving the nursing assistants and patient care techs reports on patients and what needs to be done that day. Unfortunately, only a few of the nurses do that.

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