I am so frustrated at my new job!!!!!

[jilajila]

I started working at a LTC facility last week. I enjoyed the residents and a few of the CNA's. However, there is one CNA who is 19 and she is so rude to the residents, especially those who can't talk or defend themselves. It breaks my heart and I want to grab her by the arm and tell her to knock it off! She tosses them around while getting them changed or moved. She even talks to them like they're naughty children, saying "Roll over, or open up" (if the women don't spread their legs for peri care). The residents seem sheepish and you can tell they're being bullied. I am so new that I am afraid to say anything, but I am SO bothered by it.

I am 40 so I have been around the block and I love old people. This girl has been there a year and they cut so many corners. They only have RN's who are contracted and aren't really in charge of the CNA's.

Those of you who are experienced tell me if I'm wrong here. About a 10pm the CNA's make round to check for incontinence. This girl flips on the light over their head, rolls them over harshly and then changes them with another CNA's help. They use the same bag going from room to room which reeks of BM from multiple people by the time they get to the end of the hall. And they are placing this BM bag on their beds! I wanted to scream!

I don't think I can go back and be labeled as one of these CNA's that tosses around the residents. She's bordering on abuse, but doesn't really HURT them, but she is rough with them and has no respect for the really dependent residents. I am too new to start blowing whistles but I am at my whits end!

Advice anyone????

[jilajila]

Well, here's an update. I did report the issues to the nurse who hired me. She was very quiet and didn't seem to be upset about it. It's almost like she was embarassed that I was bringing it up. When I went in for my next shift, the rude 19 year old wasn't working with us. I don't know if it was her day off or what. The other CNA didn't mention anything, but didn't seem to know I reported anything.

At the end of the shift when it came down to sharing one common bag for soiled briefs, I tried to grab a few bags to take along with us. She very quickly stated, "Bring one, that's the way we do it here. What you learn in clinical is different how we do it here." I said I feel uncomfortable doing that because it isn't healthy and isn't good quality care." She said nastily "That's the way we do it here. That's the way I was trained to do it." I said we can't cut corners to make our job easier if it compromises quality care." Then she got mad at me and said that this job is very hard, and they're not trying to make it easier. And I shouldn't say such a thing. Then she snubbed me the rest of the night and hid in the linen closet talking on her cell phone.

I was offered a job at the hospital this week. I think I'll write a letter and quit. I can't work in an environment where people don't care and will chastise you for caring.

[naide88]

I don't understand the bag thing...don't they have trash cans in every room?

[jilajila]

Yes they do, they just don't want to change the bag every time. So they just bring one bag along from room to room as they work their way down the hall.

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

What's wrong with putting all the briefs in one bag as long as you're changing gloves and washing your hands? All the dirty linens go in the same hampers.

[MichaelCNA]

I see no problem with placing dirty briefs in the same container while completing rounds. We do this at my facility. However, the original poster stated the following:

"They use the same bag going from room to room which reeks of BM from multiple people by the time they get to the end of the hall. And they are placing this BM bag on their beds!"

Now, bringing this bag into a Resident's room is just plain lazy and disgusting. Nothing that is contaminated should enter a Resident's room. Even an unused washcloth in a room should be placed in dirty laundry immediately if not needed.

Best.

[jilajila]

Amen to that! I have another job offer and I DON'T want to go back there tomorrow. I have to follow around the CNA while she does these things and if I say anything she gets mad because I just don't understand. They never use gait belts and I was told to always use them when I was in clinical. Also, if they drop something on the floor, they still use it on the resident. Even if its a facial washcloth!

Argghhh.....