This is interesting. At the Wyoming State Hospital, CNA’s were given raises to reflect a new job responsibility: Supervising other aides and LPN’s. At issue was the actual hourly rate these aides were earning:

CHEYENNE — Thirteen certified nurse assistant shift supervisors at the Wyoming State Hospital have been notified that their recent pay raise has been rescinded.

They also will no longer be allowed to supervise other CNAs and licensed practical nurses.

The change came after the state reviewed the basis for job classifications and salaries for nurses on the state payroll.

The review was ordered after some nurses at the Evanston institution threatened to quit because the new pay plan increased salaries for CNA supervisors to more than the LPNs earn and only $2.48 an hour less than registered nurses.

Apparently the hospital created these positions without checking the state’s Nurse Practice Act, which forbids CNA’s supervising anyone.

They also questioned whether the CNAs were properly supervising other CNAs and LPNs.

They were not, according to the Wyoming Nurse Practice Act.

The State Board of Nursing determined that the practice of CNA supervisors was contrary to state law, said Dean Fausset, administrator of the Human Resources Division in the Department of Administration and Information.

“So the Department of Health decided to remove the supervisory duty from the CNA shift supervisors,” he said.

I think CNA’s can and should supervise other CNA’s, provided they have training in doing this. Making schedules, assignments, approving time off, observing the work of others are all things a well rounded, experienced CNA can handle. I’d go so far to say CNA’s are capable of evaluating other CNA’s too. But I do not believe aides should EVER supervise nurses.