arrogant nurses

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Being new as a CNA I'm trying hard not to be judgmental. But I notice some of the LPN's just seem like they don't want bothered at all with the " aides". Granted they have a lot on their plate. But sometimes when all I need is to reposition someone and can't find another aide an LPN will help me. Also some help feed residents in the dining room. There are a couple in particular that just seem to act like they know it all and won't help with anything. I told the lpn that a resident needed a dressing and she waited 4 hours before doing so. Granted this lady would have just pulled it off. But still she recently had an amputation and it's still healing so she needs it covered to avoid infection. Plus I had never been on a wing all by myself and so another aide offered to switch. I saw no problem in this because she would sign for caring for these people and I would sign for hers that I cared for. But this same nurse said no! They usually don't let someone go alone unless they've been there at least 3 and a half to four months. I've only been there two months and no prior experience. It just irkes me some of these nurses act like hot shots. They've probably never been in our shoes and that's why. :o

Specializes in LPN.

I live for the day when an aid finishes nursing school and becomes an LPN.

Then you hear that same aid who spouted anti nursing sloans, now in shock at how hard an LPN actually works. It is always a shock to them.

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I'm sorry you are going through this. Not all nurses are like that. I was a CNA, then an LPN, now I have my BSN. I really go out of my way to help anyone I am working with. I am always helping the aides, and the house cleaners. If I'm in a pt.'s room, and notice that the garbage needs to go out, because it is overflowing, I take it out. It takes maybe 2 extra minutes, and the pt.'s really appreciate it. Our CNA's are so important to us, I try to go out of my way to show them respect, and help them as much as possible. I only ask them to help me if I really need it, and I've found that I get treated really well by them because there is mutual respect. I know what they've gone through, having been a CNA before, so maybe that helps. We are suppose to work as a team, and that just seems to be forgotten by a lot of people. Believe me, the pt.'s really pick up on this as well. I work with some RN's, and LPN's who act like they're better than the CNA's and it's just wrong. Again, I'm sorry, unfortunately it's probably like this anywhere. But, just remember, there are some nice nurses out there!

Being new as a CNA I'm trying hard not to be judgmental. But I notice some of the LPN's just seem like they don't want bothered at all with the " aides". Granted they have a lot on their plate. But sometimes when all I need is to reposition someone and can't find another aide an LPN will help me. Also some help feed residents in the dining room. There are a couple in particular that just seem to act like they know it all and won't help with anything. I told the lpn that a resident needed a dressing and she waited 4 hours before doing so. Granted this lady would have just pulled it off. But still she recently had an amputation and it's still healing so she needs it covered to avoid infection. Plus I had never been on a wing all by myself and so another aide offered to switch. I saw no problem in this because she would sign for caring for these people and I would sign for hers that I cared for. But this same nurse said no! They usually don't let someone go alone unless they've been there at least 3 and a half to four months. I've only been there two months and no prior experience. It just irkes me some of these nurses act like hot shots. They've probably never been in our shoes and that's why. :o
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Specializes in Emergency Room.

we have a similar problem where i work with the nurses vs aide/tech situation and i must say it becomes very tiring. i was a cna/tech for 6 years before i became a nurse and i took great pride in my job, however now that i am a nurse i can TOTALLY relate to every nurse and why they ask for help even when it looks like they don't need it. it is annoying because for some reason the nurse is expected to do everything and help everybody but know one can do our jobs. can an aide document for me? give my IVP meds? do my conscious sedation? no they can't. until you are a nurse and are completely and totally responsible for the patient it is difficult to understand. i am a team player and help everyone as much as i can, but i worked hard for my license and i refuse to put it at risk because i am doing things that can be delegated appropriately.today i asked a tech to take a patient to xray for me while i inserted a foley. and he told me "you make more money than me, you can do it". when i didn't respond i guess he felt guilty because he then said "well, i'll do it for you because you don't bug me for too much stuff" what the h@#$!??? i told him "its not about me, its about the patients and if you can't be here for the patients you are in the wrong career" well he shut up after that, but i swear that really got my blood boiling. there are always going to be people that won't help out or people that are clearly lazy, but all you can do is do the best you can and pray that a patient doesn't suffer because of it.

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Just keep doing the good job that you are doing. Unfortunately there are R.N's and L.P.N's like that out there. When I worked L.T.C. My aide and I were a team. When I was done my duties I would help her with her duties and she would help me when I needed her. She was wonderful and I trusted her implicitly. I miss those days. Keep you chin up and just do the best you can everyday. You care about your residents and it shows. Not all nurses are nasty. Ruby, R.N.

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Howdy,

I have read all of the posts in this thread and am wondering something here. I am aiming to be a RN so I can take care of patients yet it sounds like the majority of the nurses time is spent with paper work and second, distributing medications. Then it sounds like there isn't much time left to actually care for the patients. Is this true?

Just curious. Thanks!

Diana

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First, sorry this is going to be long. I'm a nursing student working towards my RN. (Finished my LPN last spring.) I spent a day last week as an aide doing nothing but baths and bedding all day long during my clinical time for school. I did this by choice. My instructor had sent me off the med surg floor to observe in our CCU which only had one patient who was soon to move to the regular floor. After a half an hour she came and asked if I'd be willing to help the aide because she was the only aide on the floor and had sixteen people to care for. That is 16 baths, 16 linen changes, 16 oral cares, maybe some shaves for our gentlemen, and not to mention all the "potty" lights, passing trays, etc. My instructor said I did not have to do it, but the gal could really use a hand. I smiled and said, "Where shall I start, baths, bedding, or lights?" She said any of it and all of it. I spent the next 7.5 hours doing just that. The aide was forever grateful and I was glad to do it. I did a lot more physical labor that day than any other and went home dog tired and very glad that I was able to help. The CNA said that when she came in and found out that she was the only one she wanted to cry and go back home. (Boy, did I understand why!) She gave every one of those patients top notch care regardless of her time shortage. Those people got more perks with their baths than I give when I have one person to bathe. They each got lotion on their legs and sometimes backs, too. They all got powder and a quick massage. You could not tell for one moment that this woman was having a tough day by her demeanor. Each patient got a smile and a pleasant attitude. Many people I know who are very nice people would not have been able to do so much. Most people would have at least been impatient or irratable and skipped all the little special TLC on such a hectic day. Not this gal. I ended up feeling like the lucky one at the end of the day. She taught me some really good tips for moving patients more easily, and how to clean feces balled up in pubic hair that would not budge with a soapy washcloth (I'm not kidding.), and overall, how to take your job, whichever one it may be and do it well and with pride. She begged to buy my lunch for helping her and I refused. I said, "Girl, who buys you your lunch when you do this every day?" When it all comes down to it all of us have tough jobs, each tough in different ways. We are all necessary to give our patients the best care possible. Wether you are a CNA, LPN, RN, or doctor, there are good and bad in each profession. The thing that I've learned is that if we value one another and recognize the contribution each makes to the greater good of those we treat, we will all be more effective in the role which we play. I feel strongly that my job as an LPN and soon RN are not that different from a CNA. Of course the specific tasks may differ, the skills I've learned in school are different, but overall my job as a nurse is to: PROVIDE NURSING CARE FOR PATIENTS. That means meeting their needs. If they need to be pottied and I'm available when somone else is not then I potty them. I would not dream of making a patient wait for an aid to become available if I am available NOW. If a patient needs fed and I can do that, I will. If a patient needs cleaned up and I'm the one that makes this discovery I'm NOT calling somone else to do it. I'm there, I should do it. I want the respect of those I work with regardless of their title, and I want to be a team with my coworkers. In the long run I benefit as much as them. The little "I scratch your back and you scratch mine" theory is tried and true. Many nurses may not want to admit that they need their aides. I am not one of them. I NEED THE AIDES!!! THANK GOD FOR THE AIDES!!! (At least the good ones!) Most importantly, I want my patients respect. I want my patient to know that my heart is in my work and that I do not think for one minute that I am above putting my hands on them for more than to feel their pulse. My nursing school requires us to provide total patient care for our assigned patients. They do not have the facility's aides do cares or answer lights for studen'ts patients. Many complain and are tired of baths and bedding. I sometimes agree that we spend a lot of time doing baths that we could be learning more about IVs or medications. I also see the value in the one on one we give those patients. You learn much more about a person when they are not clothed. You can assess more thoroughly and for some odd reason people get talkative when your washing their butt. Ironic as it may seem, being vulnerable seems to make people open up to you when they see the respect and dignity they are being treated with. I think patients value us when they know we value them. There is no better way to show this than doing the stuff that in other situations "only a mother would do." Enough said.

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Specializes in LPN.

As far as helping the aides, for me it's not a matter of my title. It's a matter of time. Too much work, too little time. Have to make decisions.

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sweetcheekers . . . wonderful post. I completely agree.

I love my CNA's and we work as a team.

steph

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Fantastic post sweetcheekers !!

Be glad to work with you and the other aide any day! TEAMWORK is what it's all about.

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Hello to all the frustrated and angry nurses of all levels - yes I agree that there are quite a few lazy, unfeeling, selfish 'nurses'. I have had my fill too. Some of the worst are the ones who "because I've been working here for 20 years type" etc.

Have little or no respect for their peers, subbordinates or even their senior ranks. I have been brave enough on a few accasions to confront them as I have been in a more senior position at the time. Unfortunately I have then been told by the 'DON' (Boss) to not rock the boat! I have been successful in a few areas though where the work was not being done and the residents were not getting the care they deserverd.

Sad situation but it does exist.

I hope I do not end up in one of those nursing establishments when I get old! :chair:

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I live for the day when an aid finishes nursing school and becomes an LPN.

Then you hear that same aid who spouted anti nursing slogans, now in shock at how hard an LPN actually works. It is always a shock to them.

How right you are!

Sometimes, the same is true for LPNs when they become RNs.

I started as a CNA, and couldn't wait to become a nurse so I wouldn't have to work so hard, ha ha!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

At all levels, and in all facilities, there are lazy people, and people who are not team players. If this is the norm at a facility, I won't work there.

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I agree, great post SweetCheekers.

I hope that nursing and all it's demands is not too hard on you.

Would love to work w/ you.

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