CNA's that run the unit...advice please!

[skyandsydneysmom]

I want to start out letting you all know that I recently graduated and passed NCLEX-RN. I am working at the same LTC facility that I did as a CNA so I have an inside view of what is going on with this particular unit. There are two day shift CNA's that LITERALLY run this unit...every CNA that works with these two dreads every day because they go out of their way to make it hard on the others. In addition, they are intimidating to some of our residents but are smart enough to pick out the ones that no one would believe if they actually filed a complaint. I have worked with them myself when I was a CNA but for some reason they never gave me a hard time...I guess they knew they wouldn't get far with it. It has been suggested to the DON that they be put on different units because they team up together but nothing has been done. To make matters worse, the DON has somewhat of a personal relationship with them and many complaints have been filed and nothing has ever come of it. I work 3rd shift and sometimes they harass my CNA's during shift report (they work 1st) in the morning. I cannot stand for this abuse...not to my staff and certainly not to my residents! I just don't know what to do...if I go above the DON I am worried I could lose my job if I cannot plead my case. I am sure that one of you has experienced a similiar situation and if so PLEASE tell me what you did to address this sort of situation

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

I see two separate concerns... I would personally focus first on how the CNA was treating the residents. In my book, this is a totally separate issue. I'm a new nurse and sometimes struggle with how to address CNA concerns, but if it involved how a resident is treated or cared for I would address that immediately through the proper channels.

I guess I'm lucky, the CNA's that love to give new nurses a hard time do provide wonderful, respectful care to our residents. I think I'm slowly making some headway at addressing these issues, some are even resolving themselves as the CNA's learn to trust me with "their" residents:)

[skyandsydneysmom]

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and ideas! I have already told my 3rd shift CNA's that they need to come to me with any issues. I hope that once these two realize that I am not going to allow their abuse to anyone in the building they will save it for another nurse.

[caliotter3]

Pick your fights. If nothing is happening to your CNAs that is detrimental in a serious way, just let things roll. You probably have bigger fish to fry and so do the CNAs on your shift. Tell them to blow off the troublemakers and do the same yourself.