Hello all,

I am 23, and I recently started working as an RN in a LTC facility that I have worked at as a CNA for 5 years. I have always gotten along with my coworker; CNAs, Nurses, and administrator alike, but since I have taken on my role as a nurse the aides who were once my allies and my cheerleaders throughout nursing school have turned against me. They disrespect me, they don't listen to me, they talk back, and are just plain nasty to me. I have shared my frustrations with the DON but since this goes on after she leaves (I work 3-11 and some over nights) she hasn't been of much help. This has been so frustrating to go from loving my job to dreading walking in the door each afternoon.

I'm looking for some advice on how to deal with this situation, whether it be leadership advice, tips on delegating, dealing with difficult coworkers, and how to better get my point across to HR and my DON about what is going on.

Did you talk to your co-workers before going to the DON? Has your attitude towards them changed ?

Did you try taking each one aside and asking them nicely what the problem is? Maybe its something you're doing and you don't even realize it. I was in a situation like that and didn't even realize what I was doing to make people upset. Once I found out I stopped doing it, apologized and rebuilt our team one person at a time.

If things don't get better then it may be time to search for a new job.

I've taken a couple of them aside and asked what the problem was, if I had done something to upset them, and confronted them about specific situations. It did not help, they pretended that they didn't know what I was talking about, or wouldn't answer me.

I've been thinking about my performance at work and I've tried to be the kind of nurse that I would want to work for as a CNA. I try and help on the floor when possible which is something most nurses at this facility don't do. I walk residents from dining rooms, answer lights when its busy, assist with transfers, and praise good work that I see.

Quite a few of the aides are nursing school drop outs, a few friends from school think that it may be some jealousy but I dont think it would have continued for this long if that was the case. I've been in this position for 3 mo.

I don't want to admit defeat but moving on might be a good choice

Thanks for your advice!

Disrespectful CNA's. Talking back and being just "plain nasty". We must be working at the same facility lol!My DON said that if you ask a CNA to do something and they don't it is called "insubordination." My DON said that if you get a CNA who says she's not going to do this and she's not going to do that I am to tell her to clock out and go home. I was told that I would probably only have to do it one time and that they other CNA's would then hear about it and would then lose the "bad attitude." I haven't had to do it yet but I am sure I will have to do it one of these days. Check with your DON and see if you can send your CNA's home.

You are in a unique situation where you know this facility and it's residents hands down. This is a good advantage to have. If you KNOW that Mr So and So is a pain to get to bed, then team 2 CNA's together for that assignment. Think about everything you did as a CNA that was just difficult, near impossible, or that you didn't particularly think was being done well. Then change it up. I am all for meetings. I am all for "I know, this is weird for me too, but because I have been there, I KNOW what a pain some of this stuff is. What is your ideal on how to change it?" Getting CNA's actively involved with suggestions is key. Also, a CNA team leader is also a good thing. Floats to help when needed, mentors some of the other CNAs.....see if you can meet with all the CNA's regarding your new role, and that you are all part of the same team.

There are some environments where this occurs. Since you mentioned some of them are nursing school drop outs they are jealous of your success. My guess this behavior isn't going up change so I would suggest going to a new place where they only know you as a RN. It's not healthy to work in this type if environment. Good luck!

Hubby works in a detention facility and because of this very problem, when anyone gets promoted, they are moved to a different shift. Often times, peers continue to see themselves as your peers but now that you're promoted, they should respect your authority and that can be hard for them to swallow --- particularly if they are jealous that they haven't accomplished what you have and they feel like they know more than you do.

Reminds me of something my nursing program did: they asked us to list where we currently worked as CNAs (if applicable) when looking for somewhere to put us for our practicum so they could specifically avoid those areas. Why? We were supposed to be working in the role of an RN, not a CNA, and it can be difficult for coworkers to adjust to the difference. I would personally advise not working anywhere you've worked as a CNA as an RN, but if you have to, if there is a different shift or a different wing of the building - some way that you can get away from your former coworkers - you need to do it. It will be easier on both you and them!