Does a registered nurse do as much "caregiving" as a CNA does?
Asked by Christy
I mean when it comes to bathing, wiping behinds, flipping over, feeding, etc. I know a CNA does a lot of stuff like that.... but does a registered nurse do the same amount???

Best Answer:
It depends on the setting. In general, if you don't need a nursing license to perform the task, then a nurse won't be doing it. It's using the least qualified person to perform labor in order to save money. It's like using crossing guards instead of police officers to cross school children across streets. Only the RN can assess the patient, contact physicians for orders, write the orders, administer medication, perform treatments, etc. So to have an RN tied up with helping someone get dressed and comb their hair for an hour just doesn't make sense. That said, when I have a new patient, I like to accompany the aide for the toileting/hygiene/bed mobility to see the patient's skin condition, ability to move independently, reaction to commands, etc.
RN
Answered by JL

No they don't, most nurses have done that when they were CNA's. Ofcourse they can do that but they are very busy doing other things, which is why they have aides.
Answered by YA! 4ever

It depends on the facility and staffing...generally CNAs are employed so nurses are free to do the job they are educated in, but I've seen many a nurse do the same tasks as a CNA. Nurses can do a CNA's job, but CNAs typically cannot (at least not legally) do many tasks a nurse may be required to do. In my experience, the nurses and CNAs I've met were kind-hearted people who seemed to care about their patient's comfort and well being.
Answered by BabeHart

RNs manage the nursing unit and perform skilled nursing tasks, and CNAs perform hands-on personal care of patients and assist with activities of daily living. If staffing shortages require, and the RN's other responsibilities allow, an RN may help bathe/clean, position, and feed patients. Sadly, most of an RN's time now requires extensive paper and/or computer work, limiting the hands-on care that once was integral to the nursing role.
Answered by reap100

The other answers are excellent, it really does vary by facility and staffing, and specialty area. As a labor & delivery nurse, I don't use a CNA for anything. So if there is vomit to clean up, urine catheters to empty, poop to wipe up during pushing, it's all on the RN.
Answered by Jill

kinda but not really RN is higher up in education so you wont get that kind of stuff. But in health care never say "THATS NOT MY JOB" YOu will get fired faster than it takes you to blink...but here this is the answe to a question that Ill ask for you ....IS IT BETTER TO BE AN RN OR CNA"..... ANSWER::: RN have a good day
Answered by Felisha S