Having a problem with an STNA

Nurses General Nursing

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I am so frustrated! :madface: I am the charge nurse at my facility and I am having a problem with this STNA. The STNA's are not allowed behind the nurses station desk or in the med room. This certain aide, I'll call her sarah, has been sitting behind the desk all night and going in the med room for coffee. Well, at the inservice last week, the DON made it clear that NO ONE is allowed in the med room UNLESS a licenced nurse is back there.

So I called all the aides last night to the desk(including sarah). I told them that on my shift, I would appreciate it if they didn't sit back there or go in the med room. Well, she FLIPPED!!!! I explained that they could go behind the desk and get a cup or straw off the cart if they needed it, and if they want coffee, they could get it theirselves as long as I'm at the desk. She came back with "I'll just bring my own pot from home. I don't need anything from back there" and she stormed off.

So, I was in a residents room doing a treatment when I heard another aide tell sarah that a hearing aid wasn't taken out from the previous shift(we keep them on top of the nurses desk). Sarah then snapped "well, I'm not touching it since we can't go behind the desk. The nurse can do our job".

I came strait out of the room and said "You know, I don't appreciate the attitude you have. I am just covering myself. Put yourself in my shoes, and you'd understand".

Needless to say, she didn't talk to me all night, and was really ignorant with patient care. I didn't just tell her, I told all the aides. It is the rule, and even though she's been there longer(she was there for 5 months) and she is twice my age, I don't think it's right to be treated like that. I had to set the limit.

What do I do now? Should I tell the DON what is going on? Should I write her up? Sorry so long....I am just upset and haven't been to bed yet.

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

If I'm reading your post right, the NA's are not allowed to "sit" behind the nurses station, right? Sitting there should be clarified and emphasized instead of a blanket, "you can't go there" statement.

I think the DON ought to send a memo outlining exactly that. You shouldn't have to. It obviously causes divisiion.

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If I'm reading your post right, the NA's are not allowed to "sit" behind the nurses station, right? Sitting there should be clarified and emphasized instead of a blanket, "you can't go there" statement.

I think the DON ought to send a memo outlining exactly that. You shouldn't have to. It obviously causes divisiion.

Oh, lol, I did clarify that they cannot sit behind the desk. I didn't have an attitude, I also explained that with changeover, the DON can walk in at anytime and that would be my butt.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

Do you know the reason they are not allowed back there? Is it a confidentiality issue? That is the reason ours can't, and so a memo stating that rationale in a positive mannor could be very helpful! OR the reasons why they are not to sit back there.

As far as the aide, if she steps out of line on your authority again, a discussion with your DON is in order. I tend not to jump the gun on writing folks up too fast because it backfires so badly with attitudes! If it gets out of hand though...write her up! You must enforce your authority as an RN at that facility because your employer expects that of your title (even if they give very little respect like my facilty does...I am admin to a point, responsiblity of our CNA's yet have absolutely no power or voice..nice huh?).

Good luck..these things are never easy or straight forward....

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

I came strait out of the room and said "You know, I don't appreciate the attitude you have. I am just covering myself. Put yourself in my shoes, and you'd understand".

hmmm.

Why should she put herself in your shoes? She feels belittled.

I think you may have been able to handle this a bit better by saying something like "Sarah, you are upset about this policy. We all work together and we all have to follow policy and procedure. If you'd like, we can talk with a supervisor or the DON about it, but for now lets just do the best we can."

Sounds corny but talking people down really does work. You can't expect to fight fire with fire.

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ok, now this is why I am so upset. I didn't understand how to go about the whole situation. I was very nice about it, and I ALWAYS help my aides. It was clearly in the inservice about the whole thing, cause stuff was coming up missing(meds, supplies, ect...). I even tried talking to her after the whole incident, but she just walked away from me.

I have NEVER been a charge nurse, I am a new LPN out of school 3 months ago. I had 4 days of orientation. I don't know what else to do. I don't want to apologize, because it will look like I am not going to enforce the policy. I always thought that you'd attract bees with honey...lol, boy was I wrong.

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

Then Debbie, I think you really ought to talk with your DON for some support. What a tough situation you're in...the new kid on the block with authority! You're being tested like a kid tests their parents to see how much they can get away with. :wink2:

Maybe you can compose a written policy (if there isn't already one written) and present it to your DON along with your concerns. Don't name names, just let her/him know that it's a bit difficult to get a handle on.

Take a proactive positive role in this. I wouldn't quite write anyone up yet. Hopefully, you'll get the support you need from your DON?

You don't need to apologize to anyone, you can learn from all of this! Remember not to take things personally yourself and you'll be alright. You can be nice and authoritative at the same time. Don't think of it as being "nice" though, think of it as being "fair."

Good Luck!!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Why should she put herself in your shoes? She feels belittled.

That's why i feel the DON should have been the one to state and post that rule.

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Thanks everyone so much for all the support. I am about to go to work. The DON wasn't in today but I am talking with her tomorrow.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

Humm, glad I dont work where you do. I try to educate my nurse aids on what is happening with the patients. Why is it such an issue of privacy with your nurse aids? Maybe I am too old of a nurse to fully understand your dilemma. I have helped too many nurse aids in becoming nurses that maybe I am looking at what you are saying in the wrong manner. Do these nurse aids try to intimidate you? Do they just laugh at you and do what the heck they want? Well then maybe you need to move on before someone takes your nursing license away for whatever reason. Go to a place you feel comfortable working in.

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Well, I went to work the last 2 nights, and all the other aides on my shift, and ALL the nurses are behind me. They said it has ALWAYS been a rule, and this certain aide doesn't like to have authority. They said she is like that over EVERYTHING!!! They told me to let it go, you told her what you needed to, and if she doesn't listen write her up. Oh well. The one aide even asked me "Why are you telling her something she already knows?" LOL.

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