How would deal with these type of CNAs? - Page 5

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  1. Aug 8, '12 by
    I used to be a nursing assistant on a fairly busy unit. Now I'm an RN. If I have a problem with a CNA, I talk to them directly first because I know if it was me, that is what I would have wanted. If the behavior does not change, THEN go to your manager and report the behavior. I would not recommand going into "I'm the RN, so I'm the boss!" mode. I PROMISE those CNAs will make your life harder. But at least try to talk to them. Some CNAs are just SUPER lazy, and nothing short of reporting them will change their behavior.( Also, just a sidenote, some CNAs do not understand how hard the nurses actually work. They think all nurses do is sit at computers all day and push meds. I always tell people "Being a CNA was physically demanding, but being a nurse is physically and emotionally demanding". Some of them are so lazy and rude because they just assume that nurses are just high paid drug dealers).
  2. Guide
    Aug 8, '12 by
    I've worked as a charge nurse in LTC for 2 years. Working with NA's can be challenging, because although they work for you, you still need to encourage teamwork and work WITH them. Otherwise, many NA's will find ways to rebel.First, ensure they know exactly what is expected. Refer to written job descriptions, and explain the unit expectations. Sometimes people need reminders. If this is not effective, speak with your manager and the NA's about write ups. Some people will need to be written up if they won't conform to unit expectations.
    Paws2people likes this.
  3. Aug 8, '12 by
    Quote from AshleyO77
    I used to be a nursing assistant on a fairly busy unit. Now I'm an RN. If I have a problem with a CNA, I talk to them directly first because I know if it was me, that is what I would have wanted. If the behavior does not change, THEN go to your manager and report the behavior. I would not recommand going into "I'm the RN, so I'm the boss!" mode. I PROMISE those CNAs will make your life harder. But at least try to talk to them. Some CNAs are just SUPER lazy, and nothing short of reporting them will change their behavior.( Also, just a sidenote, some CNAs do not understand how hard the nurses actually work. They think all nurses do is sit at computers all day and push meds. I always tell people "Being a CNA was physically demanding, but being a nurse is physically and emotionally demanding". Some of them are so lazy and rude because they just assume that nurses are just high paid drug dealers).
    I'm sorry but a CNA's job is not only physically demanding but it is also emotionally and mentally demanding. CNA's are allowed to be abused, spit on, slapped, scratched etc. Yes that can happen to a nurse to but CNA's are providing more ADL, hands on care for a patient so they are more likely to endure this type of abuse. To say that a CNA's job is not emotionally demanding is really diminishing what we do. There have been times where I have been totally spent and burnt out. At least nurses have the incentive of great pay. CNA's are overworked and underpaid. There are lazy CNA's and then there are CNA's who are just burnt out. Just like there are lazy nurses and nurses that are just burnt out. Truth is everyone has to work together. Nothing in my job description is beneath an RN. In fact, I had no problems in fundamentals of nursing class in my first semester of RN school because it was all CNA type stuff. Just like a nurse has to set boundaries with CNA's and delegate tasks, CNA's need to set boundaries with nurses that think toileting someone or changing bed linens are beneath them.
    gummi bear and annlewis like this.
  4. Aug 8, '12 by
    Quote from luvtranscendsall

    I'm sorry but a CNA's job is not only physically demanding but it is also emotionally and mentally demanding. CNA's are allowed to be abused, spit on, slapped, scratched etc. Yes that can happen to a nurse to but CNA's are providing more ADL, hands on care for a patient so they are more likely to endure this type of abuse. To say that a CNA's job is not emotionally demanding is really diminishing what we do. There have been times where I have been totally spent and burnt out. At least nurses have the incentive of great pay. CNA's are overworked and underpaid. There are lazy CNA's and then there are CNA's who are just burnt out. Just like there are lazy nurses and nurses that are just burnt out. Truth is everyone has to work together. Nothing in my job description is beneath an RN. In fact, I had no problems in fundamentals of nursing class in my first semester of RN school because it was all CNA type stuff. Just like a nurse has to set boundaries with CNA's and delegate tasks, CNA's need to set boundaries with nurses that think toileting someone or changing bed linens are beneath them.
    Hey I've been there. I've been beaten, kicked, slapped and verbally abused with the best of them. I was not trying to say that CNAs have less stress. What I should have said is that CNA work is more task oriented, and nursing work is critical thinking oriented. That's not my opinion, it's a fact. And you are right, teamwork is the key to success! And I remember very well working with nurses who would go into a room, stay for 5 minutes, then come out and start looking for me (while I'm knee deep in poop) so I could go empty a urinal because that "wasn't her job". Those were days when I wanted to quit. And you know what? Because you have seen that type of awful nursing, it will make you an even better nurse! Good luck with your studies!
    pnut8377 likes this.
  5. Aug 8, '12 by
    I had a crew of CNA's who made my life a living hell as 3-11 RN shift supervisor. When I would pull them aside and go over P&P with them I would get comments such as "I don't know you, you haven't worked herelong enough. So I won't listen to anything you say to me because I don't trust you. You might just tell me to do something that would make me lose my job"..(although my last job was also RN shift supervisor) Can I just say "WTH?"! I had two of them like that. These same two would tell me in the middle of their shift they were leaving becuase their kids were sick. So I would ask them OK do you have someone to cover your patients for the rest of your shift? Their reply your the RN it's your job to replace staff. OMG. I worked with the MOST immature, disrespectful CNA's I had ever run across. So of course when they would start their "I ain't doing that, I don't have to listen to you and I am leaving" I would call my DON and she would ask to speak to them. I told her sorry they split as fast as they could. Don't you know I was the one who got yelled at and in trouble for not being able to "manage my employees. The next afternoon before 3P shift started, they would get there before me and go to the DON's office andstart telling a bunch of lies about the whole situation. Was always the same 2-3 girls. They would also dissapear for long periods of time. LOL after 5 months I got canned for not being able to get my admissions, Dr.'s orders, assessments and etc done. All I can say is WOW Best thing that ever happened to me was ro lose that job!! P.S. I was able to collect unemployment, no problem until my next job came along. They didn't even try fighting me on it and they hired back the girl that worked there before me that let the CNA's run the place and treat her badly. I feel bad for the resident's there. Thanks for letting me vent!! So HousTx you are NOT alone!
    FMF Corpsman likes this.
  6. Aug 8, '12 by
    I appreciate my aides more than I probably sounded like I did in my last post. I am all about team work "You scratch my back and I will scratch yours" sort of thing. I just happened to take the position right after a very lazy, who cares attitude type nurse. When I started the patient and family complaints were through the roof. Both because of the nurse and the aides. I came in just trying to make it better for everyone but it was an impossible task at that particular facility. Working with your CNA's and appreciating them can either make or break your day, week, month etc etc. To all you aewsome CNA's out there I could never do what you guys do, day in and day out. But am not afraid to pitch in if needed. Just felt I needed to clear that up.
  7. Aug 8, '12 by
    I unfortunately understand your frustration. I work nights, so there's only 1 aid on our floor (which sucks only having 1). She's not the best aid. She does a basic job and that's it. When she makes rounds to do the vitals, she doesn't check those who are incontinent. I know this because when I go in there shortly afterwards, the patient is either soaked or full of poopsie. She doesn't turn and reposition patients either. It's frustrating working with someone who doesn't do their job. And that's crap about the aids and/or nurses "breaking you in". It's not high school....they have a job and that's that, no need for games. These are patients we're talking about here!

    P.S.....Luckily they just hired a new aid, so we'll now have 2. Praying she's a good one.
    pnut8377 likes this.
  8. Aug 8, '12 by
    Quit complaining and just do it, earn their respect by helping them, we LPN's do that and pass meds, it's hard but you have to do it, everyone must do it. If you have emergencies with patients and can't do it then they will pitch in, their job is hard too not just yours.
  9. Aug 8, '12 by
    Quote from SuperMeghan91

    I also find a lot of CNA's saying that all RN's do is paperwork and never clean up puke or poop or take vitals. Maybe if you had the time to explain your job requirements to them it would help...but if their attitude is that bad, then it probably won't change a thing.
    Had a VERY good laugh over this one. I wonder just how many times over the years I worked in hospital care that I had to explain my job to a clueless "assistant" who huffed and puffed over my "not doing anything/enough to help her"? And for those who have had that explanation from multiple nurse sources, what could possibly explain their inability to change--other than 1) disregarding said explanations as valid or 2) inability to retain the information?

    Mostly, I found, it wasn't an inability to learn the differences in the jobs, it was the unwillingness to do so. After all, if complaining that she (the aide) wasn't getting enough help was enough to get her out of another task, well, that's the way to go, isn't it?

    "Explain" until you're blue in the face, and all you've got to show for it 99.9% of the time is a waste of five minutes of your life.
    Szasz_is_Right and Boog'sRN246 like this.
  10. Guide
    Aug 8, '12 by
    I spent 14 years as a CNA before becoming a nurse. Routine was patients vitals, got up, or turned, peri care or bathroom, washed, dressed etc. It was far easier if each CNA had a distinct assignment of patients so that it wasn't willy-nilly everyone is everywhere. Perhaps it is time to talk to management on each shift having a "lead" CNA--who assigns patients/halls/rooms accordingly with a specific nurse, and is a go to for CNA's and nurses, and floats to be sure patient care is completed. If I have multiple meds, documentation, someone that needs to go for an xray, someone crumping, and someone who needs pain meds, and I need to document same before the doctor hits the floor for rounds, plus I need a boatload of orders, then NOOOO I am not above changing bed and washing up patients, I am prioritizing what I need to do accordingly. And no, because I am at the nurses station going through MARS, orders and documenting does not make me lazy, it is what I have to do before I can impliment a lot of what my duties are. I think that most of us try not to be condecending or rude or "above" any CNA, but the duties are far different and each requires organizing one's shift accordingly--with room for the unexpected. As a CNA, direct patient care is what you do. It is your job. It is not easy or simple, and sometimes just generally sucks. And direct patient care is just a portion of my job. Which isn't easy, or simple and sometimes just generally sucks.
    So OP, until you can help to make changes on how CNA's are assigned (if you are successful in trying to make those changes) I would be clear and concise to the CNA's that are on the floor--could you take vitals and sit people up or chair for breakfast? That type of thing. If you are not the charge nurse on the floor, ask charge for some pointers on how you can delegate so that the patients' needs are being met accordingly.