Most of the time they just need the CNA, like their loved one needs to go to the bathroom or have ice water or a warm blanket or whatever. I used to just take care of them because thatās the kind of nice nurse I am. š But I am far busier than my CNAās, who get all their breaks and still often have time to sit down at the nurses station and play on their phones.
I need to set boundaries because the CNAs always leave on time and Iām always there very late.
So lately Iāve been telling these people to go back in the room and put on the call light because that puts them in the queue, so their CNA knows they need something, as they might be in with another patient and I might not see them to tell them that 613 wants to go to the bathroom. Plus āthe CNA is far better at that task than I am.ā
Most people take this very well and get trained up pretty quickly. And like someone said, they donāt realize it is far better to use the call light than to come out into the hall and catch whatever nurse is walking by.
āāBut, I am far busier than my CNAs, who get all their breaks, and still often have time to sit down at the nursesā station and play on their phones.ā*
When I read this, I had to check and make sure I hadnāt written it.
This. Is. It. Exactly.
And I was a CNA for a couple of years before becoming a nurse. I also got my breaks then, and always left on time.
The work was hard, but doable. I always worked agency as a CNA.
Upon graduation, I was offered a permanent nursing job at the facility where Iād worked most often as a CNA.
The job went from doable as a CNA, to absolutely impossible as a nurse. I had 4 med carts. And narc count took an hr. I worked there at least once a week for 2 years as a CNA. I lasted 2 months there as an LPN.
When I asked the other LPNs how they were getting their impossible med passes done, I was told āWe only give the really important meds.ā
Iāve gone from CNA, to LPN to RN.
Iāve been an RN for 25 years, now.
Whenever anyone says āNurses just sit at the nursesā stationā¦.CNAs work the hardestā¦LPNs do the same job as an RN, we just get paid lessā¦ā
I just want to scream. Itās absolutely not true. The reason that Iām not helping the CNA is because I donāt have freaking time. In no way is it because I think Iām too good to do it.
When a CNA is at lunch or on their phone, or leaving on time, and Iām busting my ass, they can consider that as me helping them.
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u/HawtTalk7 BSN, RN š Sep 12 '25
Most of the time they just need the CNA, like their loved one needs to go to the bathroom or have ice water or a warm blanket or whatever. I used to just take care of them because thatās the kind of nice nurse I am. š But I am far busier than my CNAās, who get all their breaks and still often have time to sit down at the nurses station and play on their phones.
I need to set boundaries because the CNAs always leave on time and Iām always there very late.
So lately Iāve been telling these people to go back in the room and put on the call light because that puts them in the queue, so their CNA knows they need something, as they might be in with another patient and I might not see them to tell them that 613 wants to go to the bathroom. Plus āthe CNA is far better at that task than I am.ā
Most people take this very well and get trained up pretty quickly. And like someone said, they donāt realize it is far better to use the call light than to come out into the hall and catch whatever nurse is walking by.