What do you all think????

[DesiDani]

By the way hello. I need to get to sleep, since I got off at 10pm and my next shift is at 6am. I had an incident that had happened to day and wrote a statement, that I will give to the DON and her assistant. I removed the names.

Date: May 19, 2005 @ 11:10 PM

To: D. (D. O. N.) and SY(Staffing Coordinator)

From: DesiDani (C.N.A.)

Subject: Dispute with Ms. S (R.N.)

On the date stated above, I had a disagreement that involved Ms. S. After the in-service that was given earlier. I went to my assigned area to see where I was working. My assignments were RMS. 702-708. the other C.N.A who, I believe her last name is P; her assignment was 709-715. An hour and half into the shift the lady from the salon asked me if I knew who had 709A. I told her that I did not have her and asked her what she needed. She told me that the resident had an appointment to get her hair down and she needs some to get her out of bed. I than told the salon lady that I did not know where she was and that I would get her out of bed for her. When I went to get the supplies to get her cleaned up, her cna arrived. I informed her that the salon lady wants her up, to go to the saloon. I than went to answer my light in room 702A. My resident had to go to the restroom. I proceeded to put her on the toilet. The resident told me that she had to do a bowel movement. I than instructed her to pull the light when she was done and that I would check on her right away. When I left the room to see if I had some other lights on, Ms. P asked me to assist her with 709A. I than went to assist her. When I was finished, 702B's daughter came to inform me that the nurse Ms. S was looking for me and that she was mad. I than went to Ms. S to ask her what happed. She asked me if I put 702A in the bathroom. I told her yes and I also told her to turn on the light and someone will get you up. Ms. S than told me that I should have told her that I had put her on the toilet. She than told me that she answered the light but left the light on to test and see how long it would take for someone to come. I had reminded Ms. S that I was helping another resident and that I had assumed that if a resident turns on a light, specifically a bathroom light that someone a cna, RN, or LPN will come to that resident's aid. Ms. S did not seem to understand that.

After that one incident, I felt it necessary to talk to Sy about it. Shirley gathered Ms. P, Ms. S, E, and I to discuss the situation. Since I did not want to be accused of not answering my lights, I made sure that I answered my lights as quickly as possible. I had done all 3 of my showers and quickly answered my lights, on my own. Unfortunately, I could not be in 2 places at the same time and one of my residents fell.

Ms. P was no where to be found at times and a lot of her lights were on, I answered 1 or 2 of these lights at the time. Ms. P also had the time to take an extended break. Ms. S asked me to answer one of her lights. I told her that I had to take care of my residents first, and that the situation that was raised earlier was because that I helped another cna. I had told Ms. S that I had to assist my people and that I had to put them in bed. Ms. S proceeded to tell me that Ms. P was on a much needed break. This comment irked me because I was not able to stop one second, and I my self did not take a break. I told Ms. S that I usually do not take a break to help my residents and not to do someone else's work.

I later noticed that Ms. S got another cna from another floor to specifically help Ms. P one on one. Naturally Ms. P completed her work way before me. I did not finish my last round tell 9:55pm. I than went to dumped out me trash and dirty linen. I had stopped after to talk to E (take note that this was the only break that I had all day). I went back to do my charting. Since it was about 10:20pm I asked Ms. S to sign my overtime paper, she told me that she did not have the authority to sign it (I had forgotten that fact). I pointed out to Ms. S how late, I was going home. Ms. S, than told me that she saw me talking to another cna. I told her that I sat down for a second to talk to another employee, since it was the only chance that I had to sit down. She sarcastically said "Well, why are you late?" I was very mad at this rude comment I asked her for her name and informed her that I was going to report her the next day. Ms. S asked me if I needed help from her. I told her that I did not need any help from her and only wanted her full name. Before, I left she smartly said goodbye. I left irritated by the entire day and said "Whatever".

Let it be known that I take pride in the work that I do and I treat all of the residents as if they could be my mom or dad. But to have someone accuses me of not doing my job and ignoring my resident is insulting to me. I choice on my own not to take a break until all of my work is completed and my residents are settled in. I do not take this option to make it easier on another cna.

If you have in question about my statement please contact me at home or at work. My number is 702and 702.

C.C: D (D.O.N.)

S (Staffing Development)

I realize that this is long, so thanks for reading it I will give this the CC listed above

DesiDani

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I truly don't mean this to come across unkindly, but I had a very difficult time getting through it. The reason I say this is to suggest that perhaps you could condense your concerns into a couple of sentences for your supervisor and provide specific instances when requested?

I wouldn't do anything in written form to a higher-up before I had first attempted to sort it out with my charge nurse and fellow aides personally.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I agree with the above.

Too much detail that needs to be summarized more briefly. Such as "I am having difficulty with................" and leave it at that. You can save the details for a one on one meeting.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I have to agree with Tweety and Nurse Ratched . . I was very confused as to what went on and stopped reading . . .

Make it more to the point and shorter - you rambled on and on.

steph

[markjrn]

I was completely confused. It seemed to ramble, there were no breaks/paragraphs, and there were spelling errors. Sorry, I don't want to sound like a jerk, but if you're presenting this to your DON, you want to come across as intelligent, serious and professional.

Best of luck with your situation.

[Aneroo, LPN]

Agreed with the length/confusion. Also, why didn't you ask for help? Why didn't you complain to your nurse whenever the other CNA took a longer break than allowed? Also, getting smart and saying "whatever" and talking back to other employees is NOT the best idea. Don't step on the toes that might be attached to the butt you'll be kissing later. -Andrea

[markjrn]

Don't step on the toes that might be attached to the butt you'll be kissing later.

Ahhh, ain't that the truth!

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

OK Dani, I think I got at least part of it. You were busy all shift, you were helping other CNAs with their residents while they were on break, and some #$&@! nurse starts playing games to see how fast you're answering lights?

:angryfire

Then later after you've busted your butt all evening and you're finally getting out late, the same nurse won't sign for you to get paid the overtime (and hopefully your 30-minute break) that you missed because you were so busy covering for everyone else but no one had the decency to offer to help with your residents or cover for your breaks?

Hmph! I'd be ticked off too.

Actually, I think it'll make plenty of sense to the DON exactly as it's written because she knows all these people and our problem is sorting out who said and did what. I'd also say that if your coworkers are always this unsupportive, and if the DON won't back you up about getting coverage for your breaks and getting paid for your overtime, it might be a good idea to leave there and find a better place to work.

Best wishes.

[PicklesRN, RN]

By the way hello. I need to get to sleep, since I got off at 10pm and my next shift is at 6am. I had an incident that had happened to day and wrote a statement, that I will give to the DON and her assistant. I removed the names.

I read the whole letter and I have to say that I really don't understand what happened. All I can see is that you are very upset about it.

I'll take a guess that if you condense a little and just get to the absolute facts of the matter and leave all opinions out, folks here might help you to rewrite that letter before you turn it in.

Facts are needed for the letter, your feelings and opinions should be left for an 'in person' discussion. It is never wise to write more than what is absolutely necessary. You don't want something you write to come back and bite you in the butt.

[GrnHonu99, RN]

I read the whole letter and I have to say that I really don't understand what happened. All I can see is that you are very upset about it.

I'll take a guess that if you condense a little and just get to the absolute facts of the matter and leave all opinions out, folks here might help you to rewrite that letter before you turn it in.

Facts are needed for the letter, your feelings and opinions should be left for an 'in person' discussion. It is never wise to write more than what is absolutely necessary. You don't want something you write to come back and bite you in the butt.

exactly!! i found the letter long and confusing..also i would not submit an email (im thinking that is what you had in mind?)if you are set on going to your DON you need to be professional and have all the facts...you really dont want to have this turn into one of those he-said-she-said types...just remember to remain calm and professional...document things that happen, times dates, names etc...good luck...hope your situation gets better!

[jessnurse05]

I read the whole thing and I think if you submit it this way you need to spell check it and split it into a couple paragraphs so it is easier to read. I do agree with other posters that a lot of the details can be taken out. For example, you don't need to write about the salon lady, just say that you were trying to help another cna get her patient up. Make it look as professional as possible so you are taken seriously and let us know what happens!

Jessica

[rach_nc_03]

hi, desidani-

i agree with the other posters who suggested you edit the letter for spelling, errors, and length; a good way to do this is to begin by stating your problem in one concise sentence ("during the 7am to 7pm shift on may 19th, a problem involving staff assignments and patient loads arose, involving the following individuals and myself; i felt this issue should be brought to your attention."). In the next paragraph, describe, briefly, the incidents, focusing more on the problem (unequal expectations in terms of work assignments, sacrificing your required break to cover another aide's patients during their extended break, etc.). Include the steps you took to resolve the issue, and the outcomes. Don't include descriptions of your- or anyone else's- emotions; if you state things accurately, the unprofessional behaviour displayed by your coworkers should be implied. the details about tone and intent can be discussed in a face-to-face meeting.

I had a somewhat similar problem working as a CNA in an ICU- I was the only CNA in the unit on weekends, and my manager called me in once, saying 'several people' said that i was sitting in front of the computer for hours at a time, that i was refusing to do things I was asked to do, etc...in our facility, we have locator badges and computer logs that can pretty accurately track where anyone is during the entire shift, so I asked my manager for specific examples, and whether she had checked locator and computer logs to verify the information. she wouldn't give specific examples, and had not checked the logs. i responded that the allegations were patently untrue, and that I would be happy to address any specific concerns she could provide. for the next several shifts, I kept a notebook in my pocket and logged *everything* I did during the shift, including times and duration on each task. Yes, it was a pain in the butt to do that. But I let the charge nurses know, during each of those shifts, that I was logging exactly what I spent my time doing, and that they were welcome to see the logs. (none of the nurses, including charges, had ever approached me about any issues, and most thanked me frequently for all my hard work.) the charge nurses never asked to read my records, but i'm certain the nurse manager heard i was doing it; she never brought up any of these issues again.

it's tough going being a nursing assistant, and, while there are plenty of lazy ones in the world, most are busting their tails for very low pay. power struggles and passing the buck end up hurting people at the bottom of the totem pole- the CNA's- and in negative work environments, these practices run rampant. it's a sad fact, but *you* have to be your own best advocate; when people assume the worst, you have to be prepared to prove them wrong with documentation. working hard and going above and beyond the expectations of your position simply aren't enough in these situations. yes, it's a lot of extra effort to document things like this, but it's what you have to do to protect yourself.

I wish you the best of luck...please let us know how this turns out.