Am I right or wrong

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 10, 2013

I'm not trying to change her opinion or make myself seem as a saint. I just had such high expectations for the hiring process and my new facility. I am young and this is my first job, and I do have a lot to learnabout the professional world. I thought that people who are hired want to be a patient advocate or at least act as if they want to be. I thought that was why you are interviewed and your first impression is so important. The whole point of this thread was to see if this is common in hiring. It has nothing to do with how anyone else presents themselves or their intentions. What I think is"professional" someone else may not. I understand that completely. It was more or so about the management. I was just curious if this occurs in a lot of facilities. Thanks for everyone’s input and opinion. I appreciate it all.

Unfortunetely, this is not really all that common, and it would make me take pause ONLY in the fact that with little or no interview process you (and the other orientee which you speak) were hired on the spot.

But you can't judge that motivation until you work on the floor. You may find that no one is doing much, and the ones who have the high work ethics leave pretty quickly after realizing that they are a team of 1. So perhaps why the manager is so quick to hire.

So be very mindful that if in your orientation you are unable to handle the patient load independently (as you can not always count on a partner) then I would stay as long as it is safe to for experience, and then move on to perhaps Home Health which is different than a nursing home.

You may also find a group of hard working patient centered CNA's and this will be a wonderful work experience. Perhaps the manager's hiring practices are that she gives everyone the opportunity to succeed, as CNA certification itself is a test of one's skills.

As an aside, if money is not a motivating factor is working, do not accept the position and look elsewhere. There are many other avenues a CNA can work.

It will be of interest how this all turns out for you. Keep us posted, and best of luck.

CNAEB · Apr 10, 2013

I wanted to update you guys on my current situation. I completed orientation and on my way home I received a call. A couple of weeks ago I interviewed for a position in MED/SURG. I was offered a position yesterday and I accepted it. I plan on working both jobs as long as my schedule permits and how things go at my LTC. The hospital job is PRN so I feel like I can make it work; if not then my dad was correct I won’t be working at the LTC facility much longer.

beckster_01, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

Congratulations on your new job! It's not a bad idea to work a little at each place so you can decide which is the better fit. I just wanted to pass on a succinct little life lesson that I learned when I transitioned from high school to college/real world work force. It seems obvious, but you really can't change other people. You are only responsible for what you do, and for your own work ethic. There are times when other people's poor work ethic can effect you, but they are pretty rare and can be avoided using common sense and protecting your back. I wish you the best of luck at both of your new jobs!

payitforward · Apr 10, 2013

Actually neither one of you is right or wrong, it's just a matter of opinion. People come into this profession with different outlooks and outcomes. If you are in it for the paycheck, so be it. If you are in it because it's what you love, so be it. Don't beat your self up because you have morales and values, and YOU choose to be professional and caring. The altruistic side of medicine is sorely lacking these days. Hold your head up, do your job, do it well. Forget about this other young lady. BUT I will also say this to you about her- watch yourself and what you do at work as well. People who are " In it for the money" are often jealous of those who aren't.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

My concern is less about the gal with the tongue stud and the tats (that situation will take care of itself) and more with a facility that would hire anyone for any patient care position without refs. If they are that desperate, or that indiscriminate, they might not be putting that much effort into quality care. You're smart to be working elsewhere for awhile. If you do well there, the prn days will increase and you'll be on the short list for a permanent job when one comes up, and then you can make your decision.

Then we can all talk about what you tell them in your exit interview. :)

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

You are always going to work with people for whom the job is just a paycheck, that's just a reality of life. You're likely never going to find a place that has staff following a 100% unified save-the-world and the-patient-needs-come-first philosophy, because there is always that one person that is there only for the $$$. Try to do the best job YOU can and surround yourself with people with the same work ethics you follow. Once you do that, you will be able to find the success and personal job satisfaction you seek.

CNAEB · Apr 10, 2013

My concern is less about the gal with the tongue stud and the tats (that situation will take care of itself) and more with a facility that would hire anyone for any patient care position without refs. If they are that desperate, or that indiscriminate, they might not be putting that much effort into quality care. You're smart to be working elsewhere for awhile. If you do well there, the prn days will increase and you'll be on the short list for a permanent job when one comes up, and then you can make your decision.

Then we can all talk about what you tell them in your exit interview. :)

Yeah, my concern wasn't with her actions. I don't agree with them but it isn't my place to try to change them. It was more about the facility. Your post was exactly what I was thinking about the situation, you just expalined it better than I did.

ktwlpn, LPN · Apr 10, 2013

It's such a shame that your attitude is almost extinct and apparently is basis for ridicule just because you have a strong work ethic and want to "do good" Stop worrying about what everyone else does,you can only control your own actions.The behavior you describe is very common,I can't stand it.I've seen young folks show up for their first day of class with nothing but a cell phone-no pen,pencil,notebook or text. I wish more young people like you entering the work force (and taking care of me someday)

BrandonLPN, LPN · Apr 10, 2013

Mind your own business in the face of coworkers who are lazy/incompetent/whatever. You owe them nothing and, unless your job description said something about evaluating their performance, it's not your problem. You'll work with people like this in the hospital, too. The sooner you learn to deal with them, the better.

As for the "it's not about the money" thing, well, sorry to disillusion you, but for most of us it is. Youngsters who live with their parents or adults who are independently wealthy can afford to say such things. Most people.... not so much. Money certainly is a very big deal when you haven't got any. The main reason most people become licensed nurses is because it's a marketable skill that will hopefully lead to gainful employment.

I've seen many nurses who "are in it for the money" who are excellent, competent nurses.

And then I've seen nurses who say they're in it because Florence Nightingale came to them in a dream who aren't terribly intelligent and not very good nurses.

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

I'm surprised by some of these responses op. I feel the same as you and however I've learned to let mist things roll off my back. I do come to allnurses to vent about the things I can't vent about at work. There is NOTHING wrong with how you feel. I'm not new to nursing and feel that your feelings are valid....

I personally don't understand those who are in it for the money only as I think nurses are under paid and over work. However, it's there right and none if my business. I love being a nurse and became one to really make a difference. I'm not wealthy nor do I live at home living off my parents. I love being a nurse so much, the pay is just the icing on the cake.... Wishing you well and never apologize for your feelings . If people think you're acting self righteous then so what....

CNAEB · Apr 11, 2013

I'm surprised by some of these responses op. I feel the same as you and however I've learned to let mist things roll off my back. I do come to allnurses to vent about the things I can't vent about at work. There is NOTHING wrong with how you feel. I'm not new to nursing and feel that your feelings are valid....
I personally don't understand those who are in it for the money only as I think nurses are under paid and over work. However, it's there right and none if my business. I love being a nurse and became one to really make a difference. I'm not wealthy nor do I live at home living off my parents. I love being a nurse so much, the pay is just the icing on the cake.... Wishing you well and never apologize for your feelings . If people think you're acting self righteous then so what....

I feel the same way about it just being icing on the cake. I know way too many people who hate their job and are only there for the pay. The majority of those people dread going to work every day. I couldn't imagine doing that. Luckily, I've found a profession that I enjoy and like you said the money is a plus. I've wanted to be in healthcare all my life, before I knew about the pay or finances. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I'm also not from a wealthy family. However, I do still live with my parents, but I'm 18 so I think that's a good excuse (justjoking).

exit96 · Apr 11, 2013

Ahhh... You could last/ stand the test of time, it remains to be seen. 1st- our culture is a toilet, 2- most managers I've seen don't care, plain and simple. You will see several worthless co-workers over the years, our present day feel good society has fostered it, but you can be what you want. Be diplomatic, but do not make excuses for human debris that inhabit the work place. Do it for your reasons, that is still noble.