Workload split between RNs/CNAs

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Hey guys, I have yet to start nursing school for my RN, so I apologize for my newbie question. Just browsing the board it seems RNs are doing a lot of the menial tasks like cleaning up after the patients. I thought this kind of stuff would be reserved for the CNAs and/or LPNs, and that the RN had more of a supervisor role (This is not to say the RN does not also directly care for patients though) Am I wrong in my thinking that there is some hierarchy in the nursing positions? Am I just going to be a better paid CNA? I hope someone can clear this up for me.

Thanks

Well, that is a myth that nursing students & some RN's still believe in.

As a nurse, I still do nurse aide work, from getting VS to changing an incontinent pt. Our job is to make the pt comfortable be it with a pill or repositioning. Sometimes, I have to play both roles in the same shift because there is no CNA...when a pt asks for bedpan, a good nurse does not leave the room and look for an NA, he/she puts bedpan under pt & tells NA to follow up on it.

It is a misconception that RN's do not have to do aide work; we learn aide work too...

I THINK ITS GREAT TO SEE RN'S help out. amen for rn' amen lpn's and cna's

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

First off, I am a CNA and have been for the last 3 years and I am glad I have done it before starting my nursing program (I just started the LVN program 6 weeks ago)

Secondly I don't think any task concerning patients is "menial" as you put it, because to them it may be the most important thing in the world. I don't know where you are going to work or do your clinicals, but at our hospital we only have CNA's on the day shift and if we are lucky we have 2 for the 31 patients on my floor. I agree with someone above who said something to the effect, that if you think you won't have to do "aide" work, think again. Sometimes I am the only CNA for 31 patients and believe me, the nurses have to do "aide" work. I thought "Aide" work was Basic Nursing Skills. Am I wrong? Sorry if this seems to have somewhat of a negative tone to it, but I see it so many times on the floor, nurses who don't want to wipe butts or clean emesis basins or people who have thrown up on themselves. Then for the most part there are RN's who WILL help you. You can surely tell the RN's/LVN's who were CNA's first. Although I am not an LVN/RN yet, I can surely tell you that as an RN you will have to do those "menial" tasks that you mentioned.

Shannon

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Specializes in SNF-LTC; Gero-psych.

I know this thread is about RN's and CNA's..... But as an LPN if im not busy I dont see why I couldn't help the CNA's........... I mean yeah there is alot of stuff to be done as a Nurse... ( CHARTING, ASSESMENTS....ETC) But if I am all done im going to throw a hand in a help the CNA's... They can be the hardest Working and most underpaid people at the facility...

Your CNA's (PCT's) CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU..... One thing that I have learned.. is you get what you give... Gotta give respect and help to get respect and help....

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It depends on the unit. Many units have the nurse as the primary nurse, providing the majority of the work and patient care.

Other units like mine have a high RN to nurse ratio and a lower CNA to patient ratio. I work with a CNA all to myself, but I have 7 patients. I count on the CNA to do all the baths, toileting, getting them out of bed, feeding, accu checks, while I assess medicate, chart, teach, discharge/admit, do dressing changes, etc. But we work as a team, if a patient calls for toileting and I'm available, or the CNA is busy, I take care of the patient. If the patient is heavy, we do the care together. If I assess a patient and get them out of bed, I'll make the bed real quick.

The first thing you learn in RN school is the CNA stuff, but you go beyond that. So you, you're not going to be a well paid CNA. But the first semester is the backbone of patient care. Pay attention and do it well, and do it often.

Good luck!

As always, Tweety, wonderful words.

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Having worked my way up from CNA to LPN to staff RN to director, I probably have a different outlook on the situation than many others, but I would never tell my CNA's that I didn't have time to help them. I am quick to have them do things if I see them goofing off or taking too many breaks, but if they do their job I will help them anyway I can. I value them and am quick to show them my appreciation. Although the nurses are very busy, our work is not nearly as hard as what most aids have to do. Nurses should never overlook their hard work! Actually the more you show them that you appreciate them and are willing to help them when they need it, the more likely they are to work hard for you. Most of them are wonderful caring people who love their patients. Generally when they are rude or unhelpful its because someone has been rude to them. The nurse that said for the aid to mind her own business should have been reported to administration. As a Director I have taken my heels off and assisted patients up off the floor and pushed my sleeved up to help with a bath when we were short staffed. The thing to remember is that we are all there for the patients!:nurse:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I'm an RN, and I have no problem taking vital signs, changing briefs, toileting, transferring, or bathing residents.

That said, when I have the med cart, my primary concern is getting the meds out on time. if a resident needs something small during the med pass (turn a light on, empty the trash, take off TEDS), I'll do it. If they need more, like help getting ready for bed, I'll get an aide. They're not the ones who will get in trouble if the meds aren't passed on time.

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Unfortunately, since your license is on the line, you are responsible for making sure your patient is cleaned and turned so they don't get bed sores. My friend was just fired (been an RN at my hospital for 8 years) because her CNA left a patient on the bedpan for a long period of time and didn't take them off (causing a large bruise around her bottom). My friend didn't even know they were on the bedpan in the first place, but it was reported to the family and they threatened a law suit. Do not ever check the box on your patient flow sheet that your patient was turned if you didn't either DO IT yourself or witness it being done....even if your CNA told you she did it. They could report you to the board for fraud. It sux that we cannot consider a delegated task as a completed task, but legally we can't. The nurse will always be the one to hang.

WOW THIS IS SCARY

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