Reporting nurses

A.M. Wolf, CNA · Nov 9, 2017

That's a tough one. Maybe you could stick up for the residents in a non-confrontational way? Something like, "Oh now Nurse So-and-So, I know you don't mean that! Mrs. Distinguished Resident is a proud of his Japanese heritage!" Mocking residents is not acceptable, as is being anything less than supportive to our coworkers. Is there an ethics hotline? Who is the person over the Director of Nursing? If nothing else, perhaps you could talk to your Chaplin for advice? Or is there a nurse that you know you can trust?

SuperCNA100 · Nov 9, 2017

Yes a nurse was there when she said it but I don't know if she will do anything about it. Also the person above the DON seems to be sketch too like they are all working together covering people so I wouldn't know who to talk too I am scared of retaliation or losing my job.

A.M. Wolf, CNA · Nov 9, 2017

Are you in the "United" States? Are you a member of a union?

SuperCNA100 · Nov 9, 2017

Yes I am

Sour Lemon · Nov 10, 2017

Hi everyone, so I just started at a LTC facility and have been seeing and hearing things... a day ago I believe I was waiting for the shift change and a LVN came in and a resident came up to her asking for pain meds and the LVN said no because she had one at 4 am, this was about 6 an then she started mocking her accent (the resident is Japanese) and also she made comments about a new admin indirectly saying she's going to kill her and she bragged saying she told our DON but our DON said she was gonna act like she never heard that... Idk if this is reportable but it seems so unprofessional to me and I'm afraid to talk to our DON or our admin as I heard they like to cover for their nurses since they are so understaffed and can't afford to lose anyone. Any advice?

That's certainly not "good" behavior, but I don't know that I'd go running to report it to anyone. And if you do report it, I can't imagine that there would be much in the way of consequence unless the behavior is frequent, extreme and there have been multiple complaints.

I agree with possibly making a comment that's supportive towards the patient, but after you find your footing at this new job. As a new employee, I would suggest that you do a lot of listening and very little talking (assuming nothing ultra-serious is occurring).

Blackcat99 · Nov 20, 2017

I would not report it. Unprofessional behavior happens all the time in nursing. My guess is that if you reported it, the nurses would deny it and would say that you simply misunderstood the situation. Then the nurses might tell the other nurses about it. They might then label you as a "trouble maker" and may even try to get you fired for reporting it.

caliotter3 · Nov 20, 2017

I would not report it. Unprofessional behavior happens all the time in nursing. My guess is that if you reported it, the nurses would deny it and would say that you simply misunderstood the situation. Then the nurses might tell the other nurses about it. They might then label you as a "trouble maker" and may even try to get you fired for reporting it.

Exactly. All you will accomplish is to get a target on your back that will lead to termination, or at least a miserable time at work. If you, at your level, have identified that administration covers for certain employees, then you know enough to figure out that any effort on your part will lead to nothing but ill will and could possibly cost you your job. Concentrate on your own behavior at work.