are you nice to new people?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Specializes in LTC.

Everybody else seems to roll their eyes behind a new CNA's back, talk about her, hide from her, etc. I always offer my help, try to explain things, etc.

There's one new girl who everyone treats like crap for no reason. They don't like her because she's "slow." Well duh, she's new. She still finishes her work at a reasonable time- she just doesn't fly through it like everyone else who works in that section. That's their ONLY problem with her- she's never even made any "rookie mistakes." I don't see what difference it makes to anyone else if she's slow because it doesn't affect them. It would be annoying if she slowed everyone else down too, but she doesn't.

For instance when she does the vitals it takes her forever. Instead of telling her how to do them more quickly the other CNAs just got all *****. Even the nurse harps on her for stupid stuff because she listens to the aides running their mouths.

It just bugs me. If I can be nice and have patience then so can you. I admit I'll vent about a couple other CNAs who do annoying things, but they've been there a long time and have had plenty of time to get with the program.

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I know what you mean and I've encountered that EVERYWHERE. It's too bad, because it probably has a lot to do with why turnover is so high in CNA jobs.

I am always patient with new people, because I have been the new girl several times now and I know how much it sucks. You're already unsure of yourself because you don't know the routine well yet and you don't know the residents yet, either..and it certainly doesn’t help matters when your coworkers treat you like an idiot.

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OMG is this timely today! I was actually going to start a very similar topic! There was a new girl standing by the nurses station at shift change. I'd never seen her before but said hi and went to dump my cans. I came back and she was still standing there, everyone swirling around her. No one even said hello when she first got there. I totally remember how those days were (and still are due to some circumstances I can't write about here).

NO ONE at my facility is welcoming to the new kid. It sucks to be in that position. I talked to her on my way by and asked who she was working with. She seems like a nice kid, I hate when the old crew acts like that. The day shift are very cliquey and it's awful to be the new one in that. When I left, I said something again and she was still waiting for her lead to show up.

I've been a staff trainer for my entire career, in other fields. I know how hard it is to work a rank beginner into a busy routine. But if you take your time with them, it will repay itself a thousand fold in a good employee who does her job well.

It's hard enough to be the new kid when you are just moving facilities. It sucks rocks out loud to be a beginner out of class going into your first job and have people treat you like that :(

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i work with a young lady who's been nursing assistant for a long time and she's always criticizing how we new nursing assistants do things. i see no point in critizing or making fun of people. anybody in general who does that is unhappy with his/her life and has low self-esteem. just show someone how to do things the right way- that's more helpful. what a better way to feel good about yourself than to make fun of someone who doesn't know as much as you do.

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I am in that same position right being the new girl. It sucks but I do most everything by the book and still get done in a timely fashion. I hear the comments and the snickering and I pretty much ignore it. When I ask for help I am looked at like I have four heads, but when they need help they want u to stand there and wait while they get their equipment before I can help. They dissappear when they see me rolling down the hallway with the lifter etc, etc....its sad really. Its somewhat ironic though, when they gossip and talk about each other and the nurses, it's the nurses that have been soooo professional and friendly and helpful. When I have a question now I go straight to the nurses and they dont seem to mind, in fact they welcome it. A lot of what I have learnt I've picked up from the nurses. There have been a few new cnas and I jump at the opportunity to help them. :twocents:

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While I work agency - most are happy to see me show up because they need the extra hands. While I have worked at some facilities repeatingly - and have gotten to know the patients - I have gotten have gotten frustrated with New Bee regular staff. I have seen many regular staff New Bees treated poorly by regular floor bullies and I don't agree with it - however in most cases it has been New Bees who walk around with their head in the clouds (don't sincerly try)and then expect others to pick up their slack - that don't last. In any event you have to be secure with yourself and you will win the respect of others. Try not to take it personal.

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Specializes in Rehabilitation.

It's funny how quickly everyone forgets that once they were the newbies too. Kinda reminds me of the silly high school drama. Best to ignore the drama as much as possible. I'd just be nice to the new girl (maybe because I'm currently a new girl too... haha), maybe one day they will learn from example... if not, at least the new crowd might be a better one for you to associate with.

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Given that that person will eventually hit their stride and be an asset to the team- likely someone who will be helping me out at some point or another- you bet your booty I'm going to be nice to them.

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CNA is too hard of a job not to be nice to eachother-new bee or not. The drama of not being nice for whatever reason isn't worth the additional stress. My muscles usualy hurt enough at the end of a shift without the stress.

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Hah, weird I came across this post when I did..

I'm the "new girl" at my facility.. fresh out of school so I have no previous experience whatsoever. My coworkers are nice to my face.. but I can't help but wonder if they talk badly behind my back. I hear them talking about some of the new girls there, some of them are around my age... they walk so badly about them, saying how they're young and dumb etc etc.. Makes me wonder what they say about me.

I dread going into work each day because of it. I'm "book smart" but when it comes to learning actual skills I am not the fastest. I've worked 6 days so far and I still don't have the hang of everything, and I feel like such an idiot. I am the type of person who beats herself up for not being perfect.

One of the nurses there is suggesting I try to go back to nursing school (I have about half of a BSN completed) but I feel like if I can't even handle the stress of being a new aide, being a new nurse is going to stress me out tenfold. :(

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Specializes in LTC.

I dread going into work each day because of it. I'm "book smart" but when it comes to learning actual skills I am not the fastest. I've worked 6 days so far and I still don't have the hang of everything, and I feel like such an idiot. I am the type of person who beats herself up for not being perfect.

That's SO me! And I'm so self-conscious I get flustered and can't think!

If it makes you feel any better I did eventually catch on. Everything clicked and I get along with pretty much everyone.

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