CNA Personalities

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

Specializes in LTC.

I'm sure we have all run into every one of these people at our jobs!

The Martyr- Anytime this CNA does the tiniest little thing that's not on her assignment, she has to roll her eyes and announce it to everyone, thereby making what could have been a pleasant surprise for someone else into a reason for them to feel inadequate.

The Nag- This person does everything by the book. She is annoying to work with because she lectures everyone on the way you're supposed to be doing things... even if you ARE doing them right, she still brings it up for no reason.

The Hysterical One- These people go ballistic over everything. They could have the easiest assignment in the whole building working with the best crew and everything going swimmingly and they will still find some reason to panic irrationally about what they have left to do.

The Workhorse- This CNA busts her butt doing everything for everybody and is constantly offering to do other people's work. But she would rather die than have to ask anyone else for a favor and so she is easily taken advantage of.

The Lazy One- This person doesn't bother to do anything beyond the minimum. To them, mouthcare, repositioning, and toileting more than once a shift are all optional. After her assignment has been "finished" she sits down and pretends to do paperwork, leaving her coworkers to answer call lights and fend for themselves.

The Boss- This person thinks that the only way to give good, thorough care is HER way. She's very bossy and if you don't do everything the way she likes it, she tattles on you.

The *****- Someone who is gloomy, aloof, or crabby all the time for no apparent reason. Either way, she seems miserable to be there. Working with her is no fun unless you're a part of her clique.

The Headless Chicken- Another aggravating person to work with. She means well, but she can't get by without someone bailing her out. This type of CNA is often ditzy and forgetful too. Every day is like her first day on the job.

Specializes in Peds OR as RN, Peds ENT as NP.

You are so right? Everything you said made a coworkers face "appear."

I love it Fuzzy! But, I personally need to add one more.....Houdini-the one that always manages to disappear and not be around when needed. Where is so & so...I need them for a two-assist, it's time to feed in the hall where did they go? and so on.

:yeah: I applaud fuzzywuzzy for taking the time to post all of the personalities we work with every day.

Specializes in LTC.

So, which one are you?

It was funny, but putting your fellow CNA's into neat little packages seems a little innapropriate and misguided, I know you were just joking though.

I wish CNA's would realize that other Aids aren't the problem, it's management and the way these places are run that are the problem.

I can't be pegged as any of the people you have described yet, from time to time, I have been all of them, well, most of them.

I'm basically the type of person that comes to work to earn a paycheck and then goes home. I do all that I can do for my residents with the time I have, which isn't much because we are spread thin.

I no longer worry about what other people think of my job performance.

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg.

The Mother-- Always gentle and loving in her demeanor towards patients/residents. My favorite type to work with!

The Immunosuppressed-- Somehow manages to call in sick at least once a week, if not more. Per diems like her, but everyone else would rather see her actually come to work.

The Ghost-- There is some controversy as to whether this CNA exists. People see fleeting glimpses in the hallways and maybe the patient rooms, but then she is gone again. Rumor has it that she prefers night shift.

The Prisoner-- Apparently, this CNA is held to the nurse's station by an invisible chain. Is unable to travel outside a 10 foot radius of said station.

The Adrenaline Junkie-- Believe it or not, this species is seen most often in the event of an "emergency". Whenever there is an instance of explosive, C-Diff diarrhea in one of the rooms, she is instantly in full isolation gear and ready to go. Also seen around blood products. Should have been an EMT.

Specializes in LTC.
So, which one are you?

It was funny, but putting your fellow CNA's into neat little packages seems a little innapropriate and misguided, I know you were just joking though.

I wish CNA's would realize that other Aids aren't the problem, it's management and the way these places are run that are the problem.

I can't be pegged as any of the people you have described yet, from time to time, I have been all of them, well, most of them.

I'm basically the type of person that comes to work to earn a paycheck and then goes home. I do all that I can do for my residents with the time I have, which isn't much because we are spread thin.

I no longer worry about what other people think of my job performance.

It's funny because it's true. I don't see how it is inappropriate to have a little laugh about your job. It doesn't mean I don't like my job or my coworkers. Sorry if I offended you though.

Oh and I love "The Immunosuppressed!" haha!

Specializes in Peds OR as RN, Peds ENT as NP.

Immunosupressed almost made me spit my drink out! Hilarious. I wish I knew what my coworkers thought of me... probably something like a ghost because I only work weekends PRN. Every weekend I'm there they say "Hey its been a long time, how have you been?"

So, which one are you?

It was funny, but putting your fellow CNA's into neat little packages seems a little innapropriate and misguided, I know you were just joking though.

I wish CNA's would realize that other Aids aren't the problem, it's management and the way these places are run that are the problem.

I can't be pegged as any of the people you have described yet, from time to time, I have been all of them, well, most of them.

I'm basically the type of person that comes to work to earn a paycheck and then goes home. I do all that I can do for my residents with the time I have, which isn't much because we are spread thin.

I no longer worry about what other people think of my job performance.

I do not think it was inappropiate in the least. In fact I found it really funny and so truthful... with the addition of Houdini I found it described many people I worked with perfectly!

You say that other Aides aren't the problem its managment? Really?!?! I disagree.

You are responsible for YOU no matter if someone else is watching or not. The truely good employees do not need smoeone watching over them to do their job well.

I think that most poeple come to work for the primary purpose of earning a paycheck but I also do the best job that I can while I am there.

Maybe you are just burned out but i know many people that work their scheduled hours for their paycheck and then go home but still do a great job while they are at work... I hope you are also one of them but your post made me wonder. Maybe you meant that you do the best job you can and you try to get everyone done and done right so you aren't worried about what others think because you know you did your job well... which I hope is the case.

THANKS FOR THE GREAT POST OP!!

You know what though? I can tell you that EACH one of those personalities....are in any kind of world...healthcare, offices, alike. I came from being in the financial world for 20 some years and am now working as a CNA. This was too funny to read...and by golly....it is so true! Fuzzy, you are a hoot! :lol2: I have known each and everyone of those types in my career...too funny. Great post! You must have taken some psychology classes...I have even gone to a seminar on how to deal with "Difficult People."

Specializes in Mostly geri :).

I LOVE this post!!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in LTC.
I do not think it was inappropiate in the least. In fact I found it really funny and so truthful... with the addition of Houdini I found it described many people I worked with perfectly!

You say that other Aides aren't the problem its managment? Really?!?! I disagree.

You are responsible for YOU no matter if someone else is watching or not. The truely good employees do not need smoeone watching over them to do their job well.

I think that most poeple come to work for the primary purpose of earning a paycheck but I also do the best job that I can while I am there.

Maybe you are just burned out but i know many people that work their scheduled hours for their paycheck and then go home but still do a great job while they are at work... I hope you are also one of them but your post made me wonder. Maybe you meant that you do the best job you can and you try to get everyone done and done right so you aren't worried about what others think because you know you did your job well... which I hope is the case.

THANKS FOR THE GREAT POST OP!!

You obviously don't know what I am talking about. CNA's are responsible for their own behavior and actions, of course, but we can't break the laws of physics or create time.

I could really care less that my post made you "wonder". You've more important things to wonder about.

I try to get my fellow aids to realize that, in the eyes of management, we are numbers and we are expendable regardless of how well we do our jobs.

Case in point, we had a good aid that worked here for about 6 months. It's policy that cell phones are an instant pink slip if found on the the person of nurses and/or aides. She knew it, but forget that she had it in her pocket, it fell out in front of an administrator, and she instantly lost her job. She was "replaced" by another expendable aid shortly thereafter, but she still lost her job and we were still short handed.

This would never have happened if nurses and aide had more say in the workplace policy and procedures.

But what happens instead? Nurses and CNA's cannabilize themselves for the work environment that is designed to utilize the least amount of human resources to reap the maximum amount of profit. It's really quite sad that we go after each other.

Specializes in LTC.

I have never "gone after" a coworker. And it doesn't seem like anyone went after the girl who had her phone in her pocket. She just happened to get caught violating a policy that many, if not most, facilities have. What exactly were her fellow CNAs supposed to do to stop her from getting fired? How are they to blame?

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