How do you react to being humiliated by nurses?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I am interested in finding out how other CNA's respond to being yelled at by their superiors.

There was an incident at the facility I work for where the Charge Nurse humiliated a CNA who had been there for a month, really bad, in front of co-workers, patients, and guests. The newbie CNA listed impassively without responding and went back to her job leaving me to think, "Wow, she's got really strong shoulders. She'll do great here." Well, that very night the newbie went home and sent the DON an email saying she was quitting.

I get snapped at, barked at, dismissed, etc. all the time. In the beginning it bothered me. After four years I hardly notice anymore. These nurses, I realize, get stressed out and especially after working a long shift their fuses are short. And of course as a CNA, when everyone is your superior, it just happens all the time. I'd like to know if other CNA's are bothered by this kind of treatment, or if you just get used to it. And also, what is the professional way to deal with a Nurse just letting loose like that and embarassing you?

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Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

I can honestly and thankfully say that I've never had that happen.

But, if I did, I'm the type that wouldn't quit like the CNA you mentioned. I would, instead, tell the nurse with a VERY FIRM voice, "You don't need to talk to me in that tone of voice and let's move this conversation right now to a private area instead of having an audience; I'm paging the charge nurse, DON (whoever's in charge) to let her/him know where to join us."

People will treat you how you let them treat you.

I treat people with respect and I deserve the same....and so do you Miwila!

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I was a CNA for several years, and was always treated with respect by nurses. Sorry you're going throug this, Miwila.

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im not a CNA yet but I have heard many stories from friends of mine about CNAs that constantly get neglected by nurses. A friend of mine actually said that during her interview, the head nurse said she was probably going to have a hard time with the nurses and get bossed around more than what she would but to try to ignore it. That is another worry of mine that I will get talk down too just bc im a CNA

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Specializes in CNA.
.... I'm the type that wouldn't quit like the CNA you mentioned. I would, instead, tell the nurse with a VERY FIRM voice, "You don't need to talk to me in that tone of voice and let's move this conversation right now to a private area instead of having an audience; I'm paging the charge nurse, DON (whoever's in charge) to let her/him know where to join us....."....

Exactly right! This is the type of questions CNA's are often asked in interviews and that is a proper response.

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I have to say I admire you mizfradd. I would never challenge a nurse over an issue of how she spoke to me. I always chalk it up to some people not being able to handle stress...or being naturally rude, bossy, condescending, etc.

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Very, very uncalled for behavior on the nurse's part. As a CNA and a member of the team you deserve to be treated with respect and professionalism. And you have the right to demand that from your coworkers, be they nurses or fellow CNAs. CNAs are stressed out, too. No excuse for this bad behavior.

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Specializes in ICU.
I am interested in finding out how other CNA's respond to being yelled at by their superiors.

Yelling at anyone is not professional; people who yell may be senior, but they are not superior.

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Some CNAs are ultra-sensitive too.

Some CNAs are jealous and resentful of RNs.

Most are great though!

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I have been a CNA at a local nursing home and there are a few nurses that like to be the "superior" type. One of the nurses started to talk to one of the other evening employees like that and I wrote a letter to the DON because that is unethical behavior. If it keeps on happening it could be considered workplace harassment or workplace assault. Nobody deserves to be treated like that. Like people before said, have the professionalism to take it behind closed doors. I was unlucky enough to have it done to me when I worked for UPS. I told the union steward about it and he told the management to have the supervisor back off since he was notorious for belittling people in public.

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What Milwila described is exactly why I left retail. No one gives sales people respect, not customers bosses ect.

I'm still going through clinicals and I've seen a bit of what Milwila described. I think its almost a test, to see who is really strong and can take it or whose going to quit anyway and go home like the girl you described. If she can't take that, how will she take the occasional abuse from patients, patients families, doctors not to mention seeing some of the stuff I've seen already.

I had a bad day a few weeks ago, almost everyone from cnas to nurses turned on me, made fun of me ect. Wanted to quit and go home. Never let it show kept on working with a smile. The very next day I went back everyone was all smiles, called me by name, treated me with respect and even made me fee appreciated.

I don't know where I've heard this quote but it serves me:

"Work by its very nature is not for the weak"

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I actually quit my first CNA job largely because of one particular nurse and repeated mistreatment by her. Of course, that was not the only reason, but it was the one that finally pushed me over the edge.

This was not just one incident, it was several. There is a difference between a nurse being stressed and snapping and regular disrespect and laziness. Not to mention, said nurse was supposed to be the "charge" nurse, but she regularly did NOT do things the way she was supposed to and often asked aides to do some procedures we are not allowed to do.

Like the person the OP mentioned, I did not confront the nurse on the floor. I know some people can do this, but I am just not comfortable bringing confrontation to the workplace, and sometimes even if you very respectfully say "please do not talk to me like that", it's possible that it will get blown out of proportion and come back to smack you in the face.

When I finally knew I couldn't take any more, I wrote a letter to the director of nursing explaining my reasonings for leaving, and then I went in on Monday for an "exit interview".

While of course you do have to understand that working in a stressful environment might entail getting snapped at once in a while, I would definitely urge anyone working someplace where they are regularly disrespected by their "superiors" to discuss the issues with a DON or administrator. Taking abuse is NOT a CNA job requirement!

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