Just got fired -

blondebabe0625 · Jun 12, 2013

And you're right. I should have always kept notes and made a paper trail.like they say, if you didn't sign it the. It didn't happen. Lesson learned

Wheels28 · Jun 12, 2013

Sorry you lost your job, You sound like a nice person. This is why Nurse or CNA would have to do something MAJOR and I mean MAJOR for me to report them, its sad that good workers get fired over things like this. I wish patients would understand a healthcare workers job and show respect more often. Hope you find something soon. Best of luck!!

blondebabe0625 · Jun 12, 2013

Thanks :-) I know, I walked in the laundry room the other night when we all had everyone in bed and just laundry to finish up and saw my coworker with her feet up and texting on her phone. Irritating but I never would write her up and report it. How stupid

havehope · Jun 12, 2013

I feel this is an awful facility to work at. This is just my personal opinion- I was always taught if you feel you are very frustrated at a patient/resident to explain whats going on to another CNA and ask them if they could go in and care for the patient. And of course, you would be open to returning the favor. Based on the information you told us the facility would be in the wrong here. Good luck with finding another CNA job and do not let this get you down.

blondebabe0625 · Jun 12, 2013

Should I go higher up and explain what happened? This place is just awful. The RCC wears flip flops to work te med cart all of the time and complains that she never gets to do her job as RCC... Why does she get to wear sandals and not us? Hmm? Why is it okay for the kitchen cook to not wear gloves when handling food?

havehope · Jun 12, 2013

Sounds like you need to go higher than the person in charge of the facility. I'd address this with the state that comes to inspect the nursing home once a year. Not wearing gloves would be dangerous to the residents because of infection, etc.

studentbear, CNA · Jun 13, 2013

I wanted to pop in and echo what someone said about reporting that she called you a racial slur. Another really good thing to do in that situation is to document it, exactly quoted as what she said to you. Then it's reported to your supervisor AND in writing. Just another good way to cover your butt :)

It does sound like a sub par facility, though. Good luck with your interviews!

Lucky724 · Jun 13, 2013

If the person is confused calling someone a name - even a racial slur - is not nice certainly but reporting it - unless you are trying to document escalating behavior for medical management - seems pointless. You aren't going to change this person - their brain literally cannot comprehend what they are doing wrong - she may not even know the meaning of the words she is using.

As far as wearing flip flops, cooks not wearing gloves..if this is the case, I'd contact the Ombudsman or notify the State Investigators directly since it sounds like going up the chain at this place is fruitless.

Consider yourself fortunate to be out of there - go with BB&B and see where that takes you or apply at other places but move on from this one. It sounds like a poorly run facility.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2013

Hope you get the job at BBaB , cause healthcare sucks. What a blessing in disguise to get out of there. Good luck to you, and don't look back.

i_love_patient_care · Jun 13, 2013

I'm sorry this happened to you. To the people saying that it doesn't do any good to report racial slurs, that isn't entirely accurate. Yes, the lady might be confused, but we don't know how confused she is or if that's only at night time or what. In any facility I've worked in, they always encouraged people to report bad behaviors. My nurses were always aware of any incidents with the Residents. It could be she was having a hard time getting used to someone new taking care of her and lashed out. Some of the Residents I cared for could not stand me at first, but once we got used to each other they were some of the most rewarding people to take care of.

That other CNA should not have reported you for not answering your own call light. Doing that was both unprofessional and low. I've answered people's call lights when they're having issues with Residents. The only problem I've ever had with other CNAs and helping them out is if they chronically "have issues" with very demanding Residents so they don't have to take care of them, even if it's on their normal run. She could have answered that light, and said hey can you answer this light, or watch my lights for me since I'm helping you.

Just try to find another job, and make sure it's in a good facility. Read about where you're applying at and their reputation both to Residents and their staff. Big hugs!!

blondebabe0625 · Jun 13, 2013

Thank you guys! You make me feel a lot better about what happened. I'm the one who is always doing my work upstairs and having to run downstairs to get my coworkers lights too while they dicker around on purpose with an easy resident so they don't have to do their work. It's sad. I called BB&B they said to call back tomorrow.

I don't really understand why I got fired. But I'm glad I'm out of there like all of you said. From now on I will be writing things down for my own protection and turning in copies to the nurse.

blondebabe0625 · Jun 13, 2013

I've been taking care of that resident for three months almost daily. And that racial slur shocked me. It's funny how we aren't protected. Is it true that the only state that protects healthcare workers is California?