Well, OK, that’s what the nurse’s aids get paid the big bucks for. Or rather that nurses have enough clout that stooping to such menial tasks can be delegated. Like they say, the s==t rolls downhill.
Hospitals won’t pay for a registered nurse with a 4-year degree, sometimes an MA or PhD, and therefore a good salary, to do what a less well paid licensed vocational nurse with a 1 or 2 year degree can handle.
OR send an LVN to do a tedious, time-consuming job that a poorly paid nurse’s aide can handle.
There are also levels above below and in between, such as nurse practitioners, orderlies and candy-stripers (volunteers.)
Hospitals and doctor’s offices cut costs by downgrading tasks to less well-trained and cheaper employees, and save the registered nurses for supervisory positions.
What jobs each can handle, and who is required to be present or supervising on the floor, is usually set by state law.
Just be grateful it’s not a nursing home, Lila. The horror stories abound, but to put it simply, I helped take care of a man with a severe mental and physical handicap caused by a very rare disease. In a home setting he survived for twenty years longer than they thought he should.The state took over “supervision” of the home under changes in the law by the totally republican administration, decided he was too sick for adult care and sent him to a nursing home for “proper” medical care. he died within three months. Seems they couldn’t economically justify keeping someone who would never get “well enough” to leave the adult system. Surprise going from two on one care to 15 or 20 on one care wasn’t good for him. By the way, you can help your own Dad to the toilet. It can be done with little problem and minor embarrassment if you have the proper training.
rayannina over 13 years ago
As a nurse’s kid, I have to agree. Yes, it is.
Phatts over 13 years ago
Well, OK, that’s what the nurse’s aids get paid the big bucks for. Or rather that nurses have enough clout that stooping to such menial tasks can be delegated. Like they say, the s==t rolls downhill.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 13 years ago
Economics, Phatts, not clout.
Hospitals won’t pay for a registered nurse with a 4-year degree, sometimes an MA or PhD, and therefore a good salary, to do what a less well paid licensed vocational nurse with a 1 or 2 year degree can handle.
OR send an LVN to do a tedious, time-consuming job that a poorly paid nurse’s aide can handle.
There are also levels above below and in between, such as nurse practitioners, orderlies and candy-stripers (volunteers.)
Hospitals and doctor’s offices cut costs by downgrading tasks to less well-trained and cheaper employees, and save the registered nurses for supervisory positions.
What jobs each can handle, and who is required to be present or supervising on the floor, is usually set by state law.
cdward over 13 years ago
With shortages we have here, it’ll only take a half hour before someone gets to him – and then another half hour before they get him off the pot.
Nighthawks Premium Member over 13 years ago
…and then you die
freeholder1 over 13 years ago
Just be grateful it’s not a nursing home, Lila. The horror stories abound, but to put it simply, I helped take care of a man with a severe mental and physical handicap caused by a very rare disease. In a home setting he survived for twenty years longer than they thought he should.The state took over “supervision” of the home under changes in the law by the totally republican administration, decided he was too sick for adult care and sent him to a nursing home for “proper” medical care. he died within three months. Seems they couldn’t economically justify keeping someone who would never get “well enough” to leave the adult system. Surprise going from two on one care to 15 or 20 on one care wasn’t good for him. By the way, you can help your own Dad to the toilet. It can be done with little problem and minor embarrassment if you have the proper training.