Abusive Cna!

AmethystVeralyn · Oct 12, 2004

This is elder abuse, and you are required by law to report it. I would report it to your instructor first,who will be able to direct you through the proper channels. Since the CNA was so blatantly inappropriate in front of a student makes me sick to wonder what kind of behavior that this CNA exhibits when there aren't other people in the room. :angryfire Please be a good advocate for this patient, it is a serious problem.

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What I found out is that if you report abuse against a

staff member who is well liked they will cover it up for her

and blame the person reporting.

If the person being turned in is someone they don't like they will obscure any facts

that proove them not guilty and will lie about their attitude

to get rid of them.

They will also deny them the courtesy

of a conference with the DoN when they know there are

distortions in the facts. That way the nurse in question

never has a chance to clear up the, "misunderstanding"

between herself and other staff members.

AmethystVeralyn · Oct 12, 2004

This is elder abuse, and you are required by law to report it. I would report it to your instructor first,who will be able to direct you through the proper channels. Since the CNA was so blatantly inappropriate in front of a student makes me sick to wonder what kind of behavior that this CNA exhibits when there aren't other people in the room. :angryfire Please be a good advocate for this patient, it is a serious problem.

------------------------------------------------------

What I found out is that if you report abuse against a

staff member who is well liked they will cover it up for her

and blame the person reporting.

If the person being turned in is someone they don't like they will obscure any facts

that proove them not guilty and will lie about their attitude

to get rid of them.

They will also deny them the courtesy

of a conference with the DoN when they know there are

distortions in the facts. That way the nurse in question

never has a chance to clear up the, "misunderstanding"

between herself and other staff members.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Oct 12, 2004

My unit had an interesting problem - an RN who was accused by a patient of punching her. The patient is question was a trached ICU patient, with a history of drug addiction and just a foul personality. She really might be one to drive you to drink. She claimed this nurse hit her, and an aide backed this up with "I saw him being rough with her." This nurse was already on the poop list since he took horrible personal care of patients (big priority in ICU), he'd claim he bathed and they still smelled, he had a thing about fat people and didn't mind expressing it. His charting was abominable and in a critical situation, he was a mess - he couldn't act quickly, didn't know what to do, and would yell at anyone who tried to help. All this after receiving a 6-month orientation to ICU, and he worked there another year or so before the incident.

Management fired him that day, with no investigation. This was about eighteen months after we'd unionized, and you can't fire someone like that in a union facility. So he filed a grievance and received his job with back pay, but left after a few months for a position away from bedside nursing.

Did he really hit the patient? He had poor emotional control sometimes, but I genuinely liked him as a person (not as a nurse) and I still can't see him hitting a patient with a closed fist. I could see him yelling at her or being rough. I'm glad he no longer works with us, because he was an abysmal critical care nurse, but I wish we hadn't had to drag his name through the mud to do it. I just don't know who was right or wrong.

Anyway, point being that I've been in one position where a nurse was fired summarily, but it backfired in management's faces. The legalities do force them to keep a lousy employee around until something is proven.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Oct 12, 2004

My unit had an interesting problem - an RN who was accused by a patient of punching her. The patient is question was a trached ICU patient, with a history of drug addiction and just a foul personality. She really might be one to drive you to drink. She claimed this nurse hit her, and an aide backed this up with "I saw him being rough with her." This nurse was already on the poop list since he took horrible personal care of patients (big priority in ICU), he'd claim he bathed and they still smelled, he had a thing about fat people and didn't mind expressing it. His charting was abominable and in a critical situation, he was a mess - he couldn't act quickly, didn't know what to do, and would yell at anyone who tried to help. All this after receiving a 6-month orientation to ICU, and he worked there another year or so before the incident.

Management fired him that day, with no investigation. This was about eighteen months after we'd unionized, and you can't fire someone like that in a union facility. So he filed a grievance and received his job with back pay, but left after a few months for a position away from bedside nursing.

Did he really hit the patient? He had poor emotional control sometimes, but I genuinely liked him as a person (not as a nurse) and I still can't see him hitting a patient with a closed fist. I could see him yelling at her or being rough. I'm glad he no longer works with us, because he was an abysmal critical care nurse, but I wish we hadn't had to drag his name through the mud to do it. I just don't know who was right or wrong.

Anyway, point being that I've been in one position where a nurse was fired summarily, but it backfired in management's faces. The legalities do force them to keep a lousy employee around until something is proven.

Fiona59 · Oct 12, 2004

Protection of Persons in Care Act governs care in Nursing Homes in Alberta. There is a 1800 number you can call without giving your name.

I saw it used against two staff members who richly deserved it and also saw staff threatened by it. Who is to describe what a tone of voice is? Are you really shouting at or is the resident hard of hearing?

I think that piece of legislation was badly slanted in favour of the resident and their families and totally hostile to staff.

Facilities have signs saying "We do not tolerate abuse of our staff or or residents" and other platitudes. BUT they are very reluctant to stop abuse of staff. I know of one pregnant CNA who lost her baby when kicked by an elderly resident. Nothing was done because "he has dementia and isnt responsible" Another was attacked by a drunk resident with his cane and walker, again nothing was done because "we know he's an alcoholic, how did you approach him?" It seems staff are always wrong and got themselves abused. When one lpn tried to have assault charges laid she was told go ahead and be dismissed. The union intervened pretty fast. And most cops I know have no problem with it.

The facilities just dont want trouble and staff are replacable.

Fiona59 · Oct 12, 2004

Protection of Persons in Care Act governs care in Nursing Homes in Alberta. There is a 1800 number you can call without giving your name.

I saw it used against two staff members who richly deserved it and also saw staff threatened by it. Who is to describe what a tone of voice is? Are you really shouting at or is the resident hard of hearing?

I think that piece of legislation was badly slanted in favour of the resident and their families and totally hostile to staff.

Facilities have signs saying "We do not tolerate abuse of our staff or or residents" and other platitudes. BUT they are very reluctant to stop abuse of staff. I know of one pregnant CNA who lost her baby when kicked by an elderly resident. Nothing was done because "he has dementia and isnt responsible" Another was attacked by a drunk resident with his cane and walker, again nothing was done because "we know he's an alcoholic, how did you approach him?" It seems staff are always wrong and got themselves abused. When one lpn tried to have assault charges laid she was told go ahead and be dismissed. The union intervened pretty fast. And most cops I know have no problem with it.

The facilities just dont want trouble and staff are replacable.

PHTLS · Oct 12, 2004

Hi guys.
Well, as some of you know, I will be starting nursing school in fall, but for now I am taking pre-req's and am in CNA school every weekend. I love it, and will graduate as a CNA in May. Anyway, I have a question/concern. My class has been doing clinicals in the ECU of a certain hospital every Sunday thus far. Now, I personally really enjoy working with the elderly, but am aware it's not for everyone. Apparently though, it is certainly not for the staffed CNA that already works on the floor. Granted, I know I am a "visitor" in her hospital when I do my clinicals, but what my fellow students and I have witnessed is abuse in my opinion. This past sunday, not only did this CNA snap at my classmates and me a few dozen times for no reason, but more importantly she was so mean to the patients. There was this very ill elderly woman on an NG tube, catheter, about 80 lbs. and had muscles that were pretty much atrophied in the fetal position. Everytime someone would try and bathe her she would scream. I know that this must be difficult to hear each day, but the CNA on the floor came into the patients room to "help" my classmate with her care and the lady started to scream. The CNA said very angrily, "If she's gonna do that, just let her lie there!" She also threw the patients around very roughly like a sack of potatos and cussed profanely in front of them about their "stool" being everywhere! It was horrifying to see, and I know from stories on here that this stuff occurs all over. What I don't understand is, if someone like this woman obviously hates what she is doing, why not quit and work as a waitress or something? It surely pays better. Whay would she continue to stay and abuse patients? It's just really heart-wrenching to see and makes me really sad. I believe my instructer reported her, but I know for a fact that this CNA has been reported before, and she's STILL there! :angryfire What can be done about people like this? How can we save the vaulnerable from abusive people like this?? Sorry if I seem so dramatic, it's just that this is the first,(and I'm sure not last) time that I've witnessed this kind of behavior personally. Thanks for letting me vent. Louisepug

That stupid CNA needs to get fired. I've been a CNA for 5+ years in acute care and long term and you don't behave unprofessionally like that to the pt's or staff/students. She's either bitter or just showing off being an *** wiper.

PHTLS · Oct 12, 2004

Hi guys.
Well, as some of you know, I will be starting nursing school in fall, but for now I am taking pre-req's and am in CNA school every weekend. I love it, and will graduate as a CNA in May. Anyway, I have a question/concern. My class has been doing clinicals in the ECU of a certain hospital every Sunday thus far. Now, I personally really enjoy working with the elderly, but am aware it's not for everyone. Apparently though, it is certainly not for the staffed CNA that already works on the floor. Granted, I know I am a "visitor" in her hospital when I do my clinicals, but what my fellow students and I have witnessed is abuse in my opinion. This past sunday, not only did this CNA snap at my classmates and me a few dozen times for no reason, but more importantly she was so mean to the patients. There was this very ill elderly woman on an NG tube, catheter, about 80 lbs. and had muscles that were pretty much atrophied in the fetal position. Everytime someone would try and bathe her she would scream. I know that this must be difficult to hear each day, but the CNA on the floor came into the patients room to "help" my classmate with her care and the lady started to scream. The CNA said very angrily, "If she's gonna do that, just let her lie there!" She also threw the patients around very roughly like a sack of potatos and cussed profanely in front of them about their "stool" being everywhere! It was horrifying to see, and I know from stories on here that this stuff occurs all over. What I don't understand is, if someone like this woman obviously hates what she is doing, why not quit and work as a waitress or something? It surely pays better. Whay would she continue to stay and abuse patients? It's just really heart-wrenching to see and makes me really sad. I believe my instructer reported her, but I know for a fact that this CNA has been reported before, and she's STILL there! :angryfire What can be done about people like this? How can we save the vaulnerable from abusive people like this?? Sorry if I seem so dramatic, it's just that this is the first,(and I'm sure not last) time that I've witnessed this kind of behavior personally. Thanks for letting me vent. Louisepug

That stupid CNA needs to get fired. I've been a CNA for 5+ years in acute care and long term and you don't behave unprofessionally like that to the pt's or staff/students. She's either bitter or just showing off being an *** wiper.

AmethystVeralyn · Oct 12, 2004

Protection of Persons in Care Act governs care in Nursing Homes in Alberta. There is a 1800 number you can call without giving your name.
I saw it used against two staff members who richly deserved it and also saw staff threatened by it. Who is to describe what a tone of voice is? Are you really shouting at or is the resident hard of hearing?
I think that piece of legislation was badly slanted in favour of the resident and their families and totally hostile to staff.
Facilities have signs saying "We do not tolerate abuse of our staff or or residents" and other platitudes. BUT they are very reluctant to stop abuse of staff. I know of one pregnant CNA who lost her baby when kicked by an elderly resident. Nothing was done because "he has dementia and isnt responsible" Another was attacked by a drunk resident with his cane and walker, again nothing was done because "we know he's an alcoholic, how did you approach him?" It seems staff are always wrong and got themselves abused. When one lpn tried to have assault charges laid she was told go ahead and be dismissed. The union intervened pretty fast. And most cops I know have no problem with it.
The facilities just dont want trouble and staff are replacable.

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When you work for any employer you should not ever

assume that they have your best interest at heart.

That CNA who lost her baby should

have filed a lawsuit against that facility. It was

rude of them to tell her he has dementia like that

must be an excuse for her baby to die. When you

hear excuses like these they are a symptom of

their blatent indifference to their workers.

I have also been put in situations with

patients where I was in danger and my co workers

were furious when I refused to cooperate with them

and risk getting punched in the face or hurting

my back or dropping the patient.

My advice to anyone

is to have enough self respect NOT to go to work

if they don't protect your welfare! You can report

unsafe working conditions to the labor board

and also know that the patients have the same

rights and NOT MORE RIGHTS than the rest of us.

They don't have a right to injure you just because

they're demented.

When your co workers refuse to help you with

an aggressive patient they are broadcasting

their lack of concern for your safety and dignity.

I had this experience in a place where they

claim to be working, "as a team." I was lucky

not to lose a baby or end up being injured.