Hi Everyone, 
(please excuse spelling just for today)!
I am a new CNA, no health care backgroud. I was thrilled to accept a postion at a local LTC facility. Today was my eleventh day on the floor by myself.
My question is this, I think that I was treated poorly by the other staff, am I being a big baby or did they set me up for failure. (even though I did all my work, but I left in tears).
I was called last week by my scheduling supervisor to ask me to work doubles on Saturday and Sunday. My regular shift is 3-11, I accepted the double shift, so now I was in for 3pm to 7 am. Sat to sun , and repeat 3pm to 7 am on sun to mon. I accepted, my facility needs me and I am there for them (even thought I only have 11 days I all ready feel part of the "family").
Well I did my regular shift, during which I started running a fever, and was given tyelenol, and told to keep plugging along which I did. Joyfully and with a smile on my face. When the night crew came in I approached the charge nurse and stated that "Mrs. X who hired me told me I was to be on the same section for 90 days, I hope you were planning to keep me in the same section".
She responded, " Well that is only when it's your regular shift, not if you are working a double". Later she told me that I would get my section. When the rest of the crew came in "her regulars", one girl pitched a fit, and they moved me from the section to another.
I was put in what is known as the most difficult section of our wing. I have NEVER even met these patients (except at dinner), I have never worked this shift, I did not know their routiene, and I was pulling a double (two days in a row). I don't know who has what in their nursing orders, etc, who can stand, sit, what briefs, who has teeth, etc.
Well as the night wore on the [EVIL]charge nurse [/EVIL]made it clear to me "That SHE is the boss at night, but if I can't find her that I could ask Mrs. X, another CNA and she would help me".
Well it came time for my 15 minute break, (there are unscheduled), and I did not see Charge NURSE, so I asked CNA X if she would mind to cover the floor while I took my 15 minutes. She said sure.
Well Charge NURSE came out to where I was taking my break and in front of two other employess reminded me that "I did not ask HER to take my break", and I told her I asked CNA X to cover the floor, and she repeated to me that "SHE is the ONLY AUTHORITY on the floor". So I jokingly bowed down to her, and she told me "DONT go down that road". I went inside.
Well I did my job, the aboslute best that I could, I really tried hard. I gave my 120%, and at 7:00 when I went to Charge NURSE to tell her I was going home, she said "WELL this shift dosent end until 7:30" I looked at her and said. Listen, I was told until 7:00 and I am only staying until 7:00, if you want to fire me right now do it, because I can not stay one minute more, and I have to be back here at 3:00. I Left!!!
As I was leaving two of the girls were by the back door and asked me what was wrong, and I told them CHARGE NUSE wanted me to stay until 7:30, they said that so and so leaves at 7:00 . And I told them that CHARGE NUSE has an Authority Complex, and that I will never work that shift again. And I told them they can tell her I said that!
Well when I left I called the oncall nurse and told her that I had a problem with CHARGE NURSE and that I won't work with her on that shift. She says she will send me to a new wing tonight, but to still go in. I told her OK, but I will never accept this shift again, and if it cost me my job so be it.
Am I just being a big baby???? I am crying over this nasty person, who seems to have no compassion, I know she has a hard job, and I am not a insubordante slacker, I only have 11 days on the floor.
Are they expecting too much from me too soon? Or do I just need thicker skin.
Please chime in on this one...... Thank you. (if something was unclear just let me know and I will try to clairfy).
