I am an RN myself and I would need to have more information about what happened here. Typically RN's are tasked with more and more complex care and also computer work, which was made to help us but in many cases becomes more of a job. I often say that I feel like I'm nursing a computer rather than a patient. With that said RN's usually have CNA's assigned to them and the mundane tasks are then delegated to CNA's, one of these tasks would be to have them perform cleaning, Hygiene measures. Did the RN flat out refuse or did she say I'll send in the CNA? Any good RN would explain that they would send in the assistant to help you. It is an unfortunate turn of events that RN's are often "timed" with certain aspects of their job or they will be penalized. Any RN knows some patients need more time, care, attention or health teaching, while others will need less but the computers and management do not take this in to account, and add to that a shortage of RN's overall that have been to war and back through Covid with little acknowledgment from management or the public. Think again about the situation that occurred, possibly there is another side to this story.
This was pre-Covid. I had a feeling she was it was just her. She wasn’t overly friendly and whatever I did for hubby she re-did. Hubby had to be sitting up at 45degrees and have heels raised off bed with pillows. No matter how small adjustment she adjusted.
Let me be perfectly clear. It’s everyone’s responsibility to change a patient’s brief. No one is exempt from such task in the nursing field. I’ve worked in the nursing field for over thirty years. that is a pet peeve of mine, for as long as I can remember. It’s pure laziness, nothing more.
Absolutely nurses change diapers. My mom was hospitalized for a month and the nurses with the assistance of the CNA's changed my mother's diapers. I would clarify with the company that's providing the nursing services what each staff members' responsibilities are. Get it in writing, and if nurses are supposed to change diapers, show it to them when they refuse. Also report them to the company.
These people who decided to become a nurse knew exactly what this job entails. You are totally correct - they should change diapers especially if there is nobody around to do it. That is what they are trained for. Unbelievable that these type of nurses exists.
I'm torn about this because nurses go to school and do their "time" doing the dirty parts of caring for someone while gaining experience to be a nurse. I think as a student you look forward to knowing when you won't have to do this type of work and are just doing the easier and cleaner things for a patient. And then theirs the nurses that never had to do any dirty work and somehow managed to slide through years of training never getting their hands dirty either by means of having financial support or just sneaky enough at a job to avoid it. Either way, i leave it as their choice when it comes to diapers. A good, hard working, kind nurse that isn't their for the big bucks would likely help or even tell you to step aside, but someone you probably don't want coming back to your house or where other patients have complained about her not helping..you got stuck with this one. Complain to company sending her because you are paying for her directly or indirectly she needs to help you where you need it. I personally have cleaned up my mother's mess but if it was happening all the time..i can't do it. I just can't take the smell and the disgust of it. Some people have stronger stomachs. If i don't look and can't smell it i can do it but personally, i would rather clean up after a sick animal than a human. So they need to send you someone who is okay with this if you can't do it or don't want to. You are paying for this. CNA or not she is there, and it happened on her watch, a professional would do it since she has the training to do it way faster and easier than you can.
Doesn't sound like the best place or at least not their best staffing choice. In my opinion so many are care staff that really don't have a calling, just a job, and they lack the #1 skill called compassion. At the least she could have said, "Oh, let me grab you a CNA." It makes sense that if the RN's time was better spent elsewhere and CNA's are around to help, that the roles should be utilized. Of course if they are under-staffed and no CNA can help, then seems the RN can do the human thing and jump in. Or if the RN is not busy, then why not? Some think that way, and don't mind at all. Some RNs simply will not do anything below their pay grade. That is another perspective. On the bright side, some nurses should never being doing the personal care. They lack the bedside care. Great nursing know how, but too rough! However some CNAs also lack this compassion. Try to find the best ones for your hubby, and bond with them, ask for them regularly.
I saw RNs doing this all the time when needed at my mom’s rehab. I was surprised. Maybe it was that rehab’s policy. That said, I would not think an RN’s time is best spent changing residents. It is a CNA’s job. Likely the nurse’s response was pent up frustration with the lack of CNA’s to do the job but sadly it came out directed at you. I’m sorry that happened.
Florence Nightingale would contradict you. As a nurse, that is your prime directive and you are trained to take care of a patient, period. If there are no CNA/HHA available, you as a nurse should help change the diaper. That is the best use of your time, taking care of a patient. These are basic for you. You should work outside of the US and see how other RNs do their job. You are just one of those 'not my job' hypocrites. You should not be in this field if this is your attitude. I can't wait for you to be in this predicament and you can use what you write as a justification for their failure to take care of you, ie let you swim in your own feces and urine.
RN gave you a low blow and absolutely could have helped you do a diaper change on your husband. That person is acting like they are better than thou art. That is someone I would ask to leave and never come back. I am a nurse and that is such a low blow for that person to behave that way. I would call their employer and report that person!
For anyone who is curious, here's a link to the Nurse Practice Act for WA state, where the Op's beloved husband - due to tragic and sudden health crises - was in a rehab unit, the care setting involving this incident of shoddy RN behavior.
You can become an RN and not have a degree. Many LPN's take the accelerated training in my state and become RN's. Two-year junior colleges also offer an RN program that does not come with an associate's degree.
You didn't state the context, in which this occurred. If this were in a facility, where CNA's were immediatly available at all times, and it was strictly in her job description to NOT do that, and would be disciplined if she did do that, it would be understandable.
There is no care task that is 'below' an RN's paygrade!
That said, I would not think an RN’s time is best spent changing residents. It is a CNA’s job. Likely the nurse’s response was pent up frustration with the lack of CNA’s to do the job but sadly it came out directed at you.
I’m sorry that happened.
This NPA for WA state but it's universal.
(copy and paste is the best option): https://nursing.wa.gov/support-practicing-nurses/practice-information/registered-nurse
You can become an RN and not have a degree. Many LPN's take the accelerated training in my state and become RN's.
Two-year junior colleges also offer an RN program that does not come with an associate's degree.
Any other context, she's just being a B.