Any Advice?

[ERMonkey]

As I have said in a previous post, I will graduate in May of 2007 with my BSN I have been a tech now for 4 years while going to school. I have always worked in the ER but I feel like I want to start on a pedi floor first before going to the pedi ER. My questions or apprehensions are for those of you who were cna/pca/tech's first, how did you decide what you could delegate to tech. I know that I don't want to delegate anything i wouldnt do myself and I know i will feel bad even asking anyone. How did ya'll get over that hump? or how did you gain the respect as a new grad for an aid to take you seriously. I know i am analyzing a little much but i will read responses intently!

[BigRedNurse]

Hiya, I'm just a med-surg RN, but here goes. Our CNA's are trained upon entering our system and know what they are allowed to do and what is within their scope of practice. That said, there have been instances of CNAs refusing to do enemas, so I checked with the nurse who is in charge the CNA training who informed me that, yes, the CNA's are trained to do that. So, I took the CNA with me and retrained her on the enema process. I try to work with the CNA's as much as possible, but expect them to answer call lights and help patients to the BR. If I'm sitting outside the room at a computer, it's because I'm behind on my charting, which is part of my responsibility as an RN, and YES, I expect the CNA to answer that call light if she (he) is available to do so. If the CNA has a question for me, I'll answer it to the best of my ability. Most of the CNA's where I work understand how much I appreciate thier help, and we work together whenever possible. If something needs to be done that a CNA can do, then you just need to learn to say, "I need you do....(fill in the blank); you'll get more comfortible with that as time goes on. Treat the good ones well, they are your right arm during your shift. Good luck with your education, and welcome to nursing!

[Ricu]

Hi folks,

It's hard to "climb the ranks" and let go of things that were once your primary responsibility. This is especially true if you stay in the same institution and coworkers remember you in other roles. Good suggestions have been given here especially those having to do with shared responsibility, teamwork, respect and appreciation. Throughout the workday, the nurse must delegate and frequently redelegate tasks as necessary and if he/she has the reputation of being fair and reasonable, there isn't a problem. Good luck

R

[LindsayRN]

I am a new RN- since June of this year. I was a nurse tech for a year before becoming an RN, BSN. There wasn't really a "hump" for me to get over after becoming a nurse. I had the EXACT same feelings you did. When I was orienting as an RN, the staff in the hospital saw me as an RN from the first day. The staff have treated me the same as the other RN's who hadn't been nurse techs. I delegate tasks, not responsibility, to my aids/techs. Just remember to treat them like you want to be treated. Use the experience as a nurse tech to be the nurse the aids/techs want to work with. Just remember that you are a professional and that the work must be done. Don't feel bad that you are delegating a task to an aid/tech. If you are in a patient's room and you have time to help them up to the bathroom, then do it. But if you are running around crazy and your aid isn't busy, delegate the task to him/her. Don't feel like you are giving them the messy work because someone has to do it!!! Hope this helps.

[abu1030]

I too worked as an aide while going to school. It was initially difficult for me until the day I over heard a few of the CNA's talking about a patient in front of the nurses station, and another patient's family. I was very upset and let the leader of this unprofessional display know it. I never yelled, never spoke down to her...I just decided that I would explain to her that she was being unprofessional. Ever since then I have not had any problems. 90% of the CNA's I work with are fantastic and very professional. I can not imagine working a full shift without CNA's...they really do help in many ways. If you are nervous just take a breath and remember this...

You are there for the patient's and their family...So, do not let someone else make you feel insecure. Look at it this way...what were you like as a Tech? Treat everyone with the same respect. You know exactly what your scope of practice is, so get to know their's as well. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable confront them as nicely as possible. There is always that person who will test you...just be ready for it.

[kimmiejs]

I too worked as an aide while going to school. It was initially difficult for me until the day I over heard a few of the CNA's talking about a patient in front of the nurses station, and another patient's family. I was very upset and let the leader of this unprofessional display know it. I never yelled, never spoke down to her...I just decided that I would explain to her that she was being unprofessional. Ever since then I have not had any problems. 90% of the CNA's I work with are fantastic and very professional. I can not imagine working a full shift without CNA's...they really do help in many ways. If you are nervous just take a breath and remember this...

You are there for the patient's and their family...So, do not let someone else make you feel insecure. Look at it this way...what were you like as a Tech? Treat everyone with the same respect. You know exactly what your scope of practice is, so get to know their's as well. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable confront them as nicely as possible. There is always that person who will test you...just be ready for it.

You definitely did the right thing. Before I went to nursing school I was a hospital corpsman in the USN and then worked as a scrub tech and a monitor tech while going to nursing school. I know for the most part being a CNA is a hard job. Sometimes I do have to wonder about the work ethics of some of our CNAs. We have some CNAs that work hard from the moment they arrive at work and continue working up until the moment they clock out. They never complain about doing what is asked of them, basically their job. There are others that spend their time trying to avoid work. Baths are not given, I&Os are not done, and I really wonder if vital signs are not being falsified. If you go out of your way to help them then they expect you to do all of their work. When I worked in Australia we had fewer patients and basically did primary care nursing. I am looking forward to being able to do that again.

Thanks for putting up with my rambling on and on. Cheers mate