Bossy CNA's in LTC(long)

happthearts · Feb 13, 2005

To resolve this I would say excuse me !Nicely.Then say I am requesting that you help the other CNA now .till she gets her wings .Not wait until it becomes a problem and she gets so far behind. You and her would have a ton of stuff to clean up.Or you could put her in a team leader position and say I want( Not would like )you team lead her tonight ,so she will know what we expect on our unit .Since you know how we do it here.You may want to ask if she had worked with the aide before and if there was a problem.

Make sure before you do that aide your asking help for hasn't been messing around like out smoke or on the phone or not doing her job by hiding out.

The reason I say this.

When I was a CNA I once refused to help another CNA who sat on her back side on 3-11 Out smoking every 5 minutes or in the break-room literally .

I had 22 Pt on my side .Where they had 3 aide to 22 PT ratio.I had trained this aide and she basically did what she wanted .I keyed her into all the Pt's needs on her side. I wrote them out and showed her on each Pt.

(I had once helped her after training was over ,Then she took off (during care) to get sheets and I found her outside smoking while her Pt laid in urine in bed .)

I had work my backside off all that shift ,all my Pt's being lifts I did 5 baths did two feeders ,transported pt's back and forth made all the beds up dressed them up for bed. Did there oral care toileting and every thing else. I had Worked straight from 2-8 without a break.So when I am taking my break the nurse tell me she wants me to go help this aide .I refused and told her why.Then that nurse agreed with me stating it was her fault that, Pt care wasn't done . The aide asked me why ,I confronted her right in front of the RN in the med room stating the same thing about the smoking and breaks and taking off during care ,which she lied about .Then I pulled out my little documentation book of goings on I always kept ,so I could tell them where and when and time.

So the aide conn another aide in to helping her that night .Then that same aide used the excuse .I have to go get sheets and took off on that aide as well.leaveing the helper to do all the care.

Boy was I thankful when we they got rid of of that smoking aide.

happthearts · Feb 13, 2005

I forgot to mention It could be caregiver burnout with this aide .If she is yelling at Pt's as well maybe ,she needs a few days off in a row to give her a break and she can come back in a better mood. You may want to suggest that wow you seem a little stress maybe you should ask for a few days off.

Kitkat23 · Feb 14, 2005

Hey all, I need some advice. I am an LPN working a skilled rehab unit in LTC. i recently joined the company so I am new to them, but have been a nurse for nearly 6 years. Yesterday, I had a floating CNA on my wing, she was not used to the pace and routine of our unit and was struggling to keep up, so I asked one of the regular CNA's to give her a hand(the regula CNA only had three pts.!!!) i explaines to her that the other CNA was falling behind and was getting frustrated. She TOLD me in a rude tone of voice that" I gave her report this morning and I TOLD her, if she needs help to ask". I then said to her that I was asking for her. She proceeded with "WHAT DID I JUST TELL YOU !!!!" I was appalled! :angryfire Our unit treatment nurse was within ear shot and so was another CNA. I walked away at that time because I knew if I said anything at that point I would blow up! Also this CNA has been counseled for her tone of voice to pts. In my opinion, if she speaks to ME this way, how is she really speaking to the residents? I need advice on how to approach someone with this attitude, make my point and ensure that I am taking the correct action. PLEASE HELP!!

Whoa, you let the aide talk to you like that? Are you the charge nurse? If I were you, I'd write her butt up to the supervisor, and if she doesn't do anything, move up to the chain of command. You don't need to tolerate her b.s. from her. She doesn't seem like the right, caring person for the job. She sounds immature and can't control her anger. She deserves to get the boot! :angryfire :angryfire

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 27, 2005

The worst part I guess is the fact that now, everytime i look at a black person, i second guess myself thinking, "am I looking at them like I am a racist?" This whole situation has really, messed with my mind and confidence

I cannot believe that your confidence is shaken b/c you r were called a racist. As an African-American, former nursing assistant (I guess I have a little exerience of both:) ), this is a common occurence of a feeling of racisim, b/c a lot a CNA/NA of color that may be working in a area under the direction of a white person and they may feel overwhelmed and tired, and the "demands" you may state or putting may make them feel like "the hired help" instead of the "assistant.", especially if you haven't attempted to help them, or when they are working on their own assignments, don't have any free time, and their response is that they are in the middle of somethning, and they recieve a look that you are incompetent-which can cause the CNA to look at the nurse in charge for being a racist b/c that is a major bias...(the balcks are lazy, incompetent, etc.)

The only advice for anyone out there that feels they are being accused of being racist, or even felt that there is racism, ageism (I've been victim of both), please step back and take a look about the situation, where do you stand in the situation, how you can make the situation better, plus attempt to obtain any mediation whatsoever to reolve the situation, b/c situations do come up not matter where you go.

Another point-use your people skills :) (an instructor told me and my colleagues this during lecture on my last block of LPN School)

This is a very serious issue in which has hurt your soul. Please find healing and if this situation is waaay out of hand (It really already is!) You might need to find another job, or save the wasted enrgy and put the focus onto your patients.

Good luck:)

LPNnurse · Feb 28, 2005

I agree with what you said. I can't believe you would let yourself feel this way. Please don't . Sometimes you have to take a step back and think about if this is how you want to feel everyday you go to work. If not you could go to the DON and talk to her, if nothing comes of it then think about going to a place where you would be happy. Nothing is worse then going to a job that makes you feel bad. Just remember if you give it your best shot and you leave in the end at least you can say you tried. If you try and it works out your problem is solved. I think you will be okay either way! Good luck and we are all here for you!:)

I cannot believe that your confidence is shaken b/c you r were called a racist. As an African-American, former nursing assistant (I guess I have a little exerience of both:) ), this is a common occurence of a feeling of racisim, b/c a lot a CNA/NA of color that may be working in a area under the direction of a white person and they may feel overwhelmed and tired, and the "demands" you may state or putting may make them feel like "the hired help" instead of the "assistant.", especially if you haven't attempted to help them, or when they are working on their own assignments, don't have any free time, and their response is that they are in the middle of somethning, and they recieve a look that you are incompetent-which can cause the CNA to look at the nurse in charge for being a racist b/c that is a major bias...(the balcks are lazy, incompetent, etc.)
The only advice for anyone out there that feels they are being accused of being racist, or even felt that there is racism, ageism (I've been victim of both), please step back and take a look about the situation, where do you stand in the situation, how you can make the situation better, plus attempt to obtain any mediation whatsoever to reolve the situation, b/c situations do come up not matter where you go.
Another point-use your people skills :) (an instructor told me and my colleagues this during lecture on my last block of LPN School)
This is a very serious issue in which has hurt your soul. Please find healing and if this situation is waaay out of hand (It really already is!) You might need to find another job, or save the wasted enrgy and put the focus onto your patients.
Good luck:)

jaimemds · Feb 28, 2005

Thank you all for your great advice. I have decided to take this time ad go get my RN. I will give me the time off I need to regroup and return to the work forced with renewed confidence.

Jaime

Benedikta · Mar 12, 2005

To the CNA above who just said "lay off of them" because of CNA's like I just mentioned in my post above, I prefer to work without CNA's. I'll be done with school in a year and I'm going to an ICU position to avoid having a CNA. I much rather be responsible for the total care than spend half of my shift following an adult to make sure they've done thier job. Now I'm not slamming on the good CNA's there are some. But they seem to be few and far between. For every one great CNA there are 10 bad ones. It's a horrible feeling to have a great time during the down time of the shift with your cna and an hour later realize she made up most of your I&O's. I just rather do it all myself. Then if something is wrong, or not done there is only one person to blame.

To those of y'all who say y'all would rather work without a CNA--Go for it!! I'd really like to see the nurses on my floor work without us for one hour. Dont forget, without the CNAs would actually have to touch the residents-how gross!!!!!

NancyJo · Mar 13, 2005

After reading all this I really consider myself lucky. I work with a great bunch of Cna's. Some are better than others, but right now I have very few complaints. I'm not sure how long I would last without them. Have over the years came across several who weren't so great, but have experienced that with as many LPN'S and RN's over the years too. I try to remind them often how appreciated they are. :yelclap:

lpn2bee05 · Mar 13, 2005

As an LPN student, graduating in less than 2 month, I must say this was a very informative post. :) I just recently had clinicals at a LTC and seen both--difficult CNA's and LPN's. One thing I have learnt in life is that :

1.) in order to get respect you must respect others

2.) if you want to give orders you must be able to receive them

3.) just because you are the nurse and cleaning a "diaper" is not your job, DO IT ANYWAY IF YOU HAVE TIME

4.) ppl will use the race card regardless of their own skincolor-- ignorance and racism are color blind!

5.) CNA's often "seem to" have a chip on their shoulder, but how do I know why? maybe they feel like they are not respected? are mad for not going back to school? don't care? care too much?

One wise instructor told me once to lead by example. respect other--and demand respect back. Help others, and demand help from others in return. etc.

I know I "haven't been in your shoes yet", and there are always the ppl who will not return all you give to them--but being the nurse makes you their supervisor--you went through alot to get there. do not let them get away with disrespect even once, and respectfully warn them about overstepping.

blue chips · Mar 14, 2005

As an LPN student, graduating in less than 2 month, I must say this was a very informative post. :) I just recently had clinicals at a LTC and seen both--difficult CNA's and LPN's. One thing I have learnt in life is that :
1.) in order to get respect you must respect others
2.) if you want to give orders you must be able to receive them
3.) just because you are the nurse and cleaning a "diaper" is not your job, DO IT ANYWAY IF YOU HAVE TIME
4.) ppl will use the race card regardless of their own skincolor-- ignorance and racism are color blind!
5.) CNA's often "seem to" have a chip on their shoulder, but how do I know why? maybe they feel like they are not respected? are mad for not going back to school? don't care? care too much?
One wise instructor told me once to lead by example. respect other--and demand respect back. Help others, and demand help from others in return. etc.
I know I "haven't been in your shoes yet", and there are always the ppl who will not return all you give to them--but being the nurse makes you their supervisor--you went through alot to get there. do not let them get away with disrespect even once, and respectfully warn them about overstepping.[/QU
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE CARD OR COLOR BLIND, A RACIST WILL ALWAYS BE A RACIST PERIOD.