To tell you about my first week as a HCA in a hospital?

[atronger]

I am gobsmacked.

I didn't get any training. I did an online video training series, that lasted about an hour. Then done.

Some competencies like blood pressure checks etc signed off by a RN during my shift. And that's it

Second day in and I was asked to administer paracemtol twice by two different doctors! I said to them both I'm not a nurse. I cannot administer drugs but I can ask someone to do it. They both told me off, and the last one told me I was 'just being useless'

I was on a morning shift today and a senior nurse was extremely rude to me because I couldn't fix a cast (fracture clinic). I am not trained to! More snidey remarks

Yesterday I was on a night shift and asked by a senior nurse to help clean a wound. Didn't really feel it waa my place to do so, spoke out about it but she showed me once and I got it, so did the other leg for this very lovely patient. All fine. But felt pressured to do it when I wasn't really sure I was allowed. Was completely brushed off like I was being ridiculous and of course I could. Then got a telling off by ward sister for doing so

I came into this because I'm very interested in becoming a Nurse when the time is right in my personal life. But I'm shocked at how some medical staff speak to their colleagues

Why are your posts always batshit?!

What, just because I don't agree with you 🙄

What band of HCA are allowed to insert a catheter? In my trust that would not be allowed from any band 2 or 3.

It’s not about agreeing - you’re just outright wrong. This is not a matter of opinion. It’s you not knowing what you’re talking about.

Hmm no you don’t. Specially not CDs.

I believe HCAs in care homes can, if appropriately trained and certified competent, administer insulin and some other controlled drugs.

Why would they ask you to clean wounds ? I'm a nurse and most HCAs haven't had the training to do aseptic technique. Band 3 HCAs do obs, ECG also giving out paracetamol a HCA won't access to the meds card so won't know when it was last given. Omg it sounds really unsafe practice the nurses/doctors obviously don't give a shit about protecting their registration.

I think care homes are getting mixed up with a NHS hospital. They work differently I've never known a care assistant to be called a HCA/CSW in a care home I would assume hospital but it's been quite a lot of years since I've worked in a care home now.

They can in residential care homes /supported living places with no nurses on site.

I agree, so think that pp was indeed not referring to their work as a HCA in a care home, due to the above……. iyswim @ComtesseDeSpair

The poster quoted has posted elsewhere about being an HCA is residential care; and a quick Google brings up lots of recruitment adverts for care home HCAs, so I’d presume it must be a recognised job title in many homes. Though all this is off topic and splitting hairs a bit.

It's been a while since I worked in a hospital but definitely a couple of HCAs did this. ( With training and supervision of course)

Where I work HCAs can do catheter care once trained but wouldn't insert or remove them.

Health care assistants are not able to give CDs.....what you can do is check the drugs as a secondary signatory to a fully trained qualified nurse....and you can give the CD whilst the Registered Nurse watches you. Nurses now undertake a degree course to be able to undertake these tasks....they are not available to do for CAs.

I used to run nursing homes. Yes HCAs can do many tasks they wouldnt be able to undertake in a nursing home....but only after they have undertaken months of training....not on the first week!!!!

Ok, stand corrected.
Also Agree, it is a bit off topic as the OP relates to a HCA working in a hospital