Rude Cna To Nurses

Nurses Relations

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I am working in a unit with only one regular tech in our shift who is efficient and hardworking, but she has a hell of an attitude. I am barely new to the unit but I think I can't take it anymore. I've discussed about it with my other colleagues who has been working with her for a long time and they would just say that "she's just like that but she's a very efficient one" or "she has a very sad personal life that's why she became like that, but she's a hardworking one". I saw how she treated the old timer nurses, if they asked her to do something and she's in a bad mood, she would just say "NO, that's not my job!" or she would just give them a blank stare as if she heard nothing. I even learned that there was one nurse who left the unit and she's one of the reason. They even told me the reason why she always gets away with that is because the previous NM is her buddy and she has also a great shoe polishing ability skills, which she's starting to do to our new NM now. Imagine how worst she can be with the new nurses.

I could've barely tolerated her attitude since she's been a big help to me with my heavy pt's. Everytime she's helping me with my pt's she would always brag about her technical ability skills like, "How come you nurses don't know how to take the pt's EKG?" Or when we were transferring pt's OOB to chair and I didn't do it the way she does it, she would say, "You don't know how to transfer pt?"

One day while there was a volunteer student nurse observing us, we were cleaning my total care pt. when we noticed that her buttocks were red.. then she blatantly told the student.."Look the nurses don't know how to take care of the pt's skin. Then we have to transfer the pt to a medi-chair, as I was pulling my pt towards me from the sliding board, we noticed that the HOB was a little bit higher than the chair, with her sharp tongue, she sarcastically made a remark, "SMART, WHAT A SMART NURSE! Look the head of the bed is higher". Then she talked to the student in their own language.

I was so furious at that time and I felt that if I confronted her I might loose my composure and that I might shout, cry or even curse her... it was almost the end of her shift. She was off the next day and I did gave ny NM my written report and told her everything this tech has been doing to me. She told me that we will discuss it with the tech the next time we are all on the unit.

I don't know what's going to happen...That tech might retaliate to me by not helping me at all with my pt's. I don't know if my colleagues would support me. But I'm decided that I will give that tech a taste of her own medicine.. No more insulting side comments for me. I am no longer comfortable in my unit because of the fact that me and that tech would have already grudges with each other. I don't intend to work in my unit for long but I just don't want to leave there with them in mind that it's because of that tech. I want to give back that tech all the insults and sarcasm she had on me...I just don't care anymore. It's not right for my colleagues just to tolerate her. Not because she is the only tech in a certain shift and that's because she's very efficient and hardworking that she has the right to be the way she is. I know I will have to endure the days I will be working with her... If you were in my position what would you be doing?

I still always think that each nurse should work as a CNA one shift every few months, it will not only be an eye opener for the nurse, it would also create a better team environment. Sometimes those of us who were aides before we were nurses forget just how hard that job is. And it is true, some of us get a case of "nursitis" whether we want to admit to it or not. True, as nurses, we are always with our heads on a chopping block, but that does not negate the lack of respect aides sometimes receive.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I still always think that each nurse should work as a CNA one shift every few months, it will not only be an eye opener for the nurse, it would also create a better team environment. Sometimes those of us who were aides before we were nurses forget just how hard that job is. And it is true, some of us get a case of "nursitis" whether we want to admit to it or not. True, as nurses, we are always with our heads on a chopping block, but that does not negate the lack of respect aides sometimes receive.

The only problem with that is that the one day that would be chosen would wind up being the day that all hell DIDN'T break loose.

Specializes in Case Manager, LTC,Staff Dev/NAT Instr.
I still always think that each nurse should work as a CNA one shift every few months, it will not only be an eye opener for the nurse, it would also create a better team environment. Sometimes those of us who were aides before we were nurses forget just how hard that job is. And it is true, some of us get a case of "nursitis" whether we want to admit to it or not. True, as nurses, we are always with our heads on a chopping block, but that does not negate the lack of respect aides sometimes receive.
I'm sorry but I have to add my 0.2 cents why should anybody with a certificate, degree, or diploma have to regress back to prove a point, everybody is suppose to do their job desription, that is the key here, I totally disagree with you, this is about the CNA's negative attitude, not titles, she doesn't have the right to talk to anyone in that manner when something is supposed to be done for the safey of pts. and I also disagree with the post about tell her in front of the pt.s :nono: Never should any mess such as that be allowed in front of pts. eveything should be done by a chain of command, if that RN, LPN, or CNA Supervisor(I have seen these)tell them to do something (that's in their scope) they are suppose to fulfill that duty, if not, they have the right to reprimand her, I had this happen to me, and I waited just patiently like I had forgotten about it, and I approached the CNA(privately) and asked her did she have a problem with me, not ugly or anything it was me and her, she had her say, and I had mine and I didn't have anymore problems out of that SISTER, I tell ya sometimes you have to let people know where you stand whether you are a CNA, LPN, RN, MD.

A soft answer turns away wrath

I'm sorry but I have to add my 0.2 cents why should anybody with a certificate, degree, or diploma have to regress back, everybody is suppose to do their job desription I totally disagree, this is about how the CNA's negative attitude, not titles, she doesn't have the right to talk to anyone in that manner when something is supposed to be done for the safey of pts. and I also disagree with the post about tell her in front of the pt.s :nono: eveything should be done by a chain of command, I had this happen to me, and I waited just patiently like I had forgotten about it, and I approached the CNA and asked her did she have a problem with me, not ugly or anything it was me and her, she had her say, and I had mine and I didn't have anymore problems out of that SISTER, I tell ya sometimes you have to let people know where you stand whether you are a CNA,LPN, RN, PHD.

A soft answer turns away wrath

I agree with the above. I was a CNA (nsg home and med-surg) for three years. IMO, being a CNA is not nearly as hard or as stressful as being a nurse. And- when I was a CNA, the vast majority of nurses treated me like gold. I believe this was because I worked hard, and knew my job and my place as a CNA.

Well said, lisadlpn2Brn and Hellllllo Nurse!

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Unfortunately there are some who think that a CNA's place is beneath others, and make them feel that way. Now every place treats the CNAs with respect. What really sucks is when you work your *** off like a dog, and are still seen as the dirt beneath some ppl's feet.

I was a CNA for 2 years and worked with plenty of great CNA's as an LPN and now an RN. But after 6 years in Med/Surg I moved to ICU where I can give total care to 1-2 patients, give my own baths, turns, vitals, etc.

One reason why is so that I do not have to rely on a CNA who may or may not do what they are supposed to be doing depending on their attitude or motivation.

Management and the state nurse practice act tells us that we are responsible for ensuring that care delegated to CNA's is carried out properly.

But try doing something about the bad CNA's. I've been a nurse in 3 different parts of the country and it's the same everywhere.

Try telling your manager about CNA's leaving the floor for long periods on smoke breaks, ignore call lights, making up vitals, omit bathing and turning. I have yet to see anything significant done about it at any hospital I've worked. I get the same generic wimpy answers "We all need to work together" or "she's been here a long time and is so good with the patients"

I would like to see a day come when CNA's become licensed like LPN's and RN's and can finally be individually held responsible legally for failing to provide care and have their licenses threatened by the state. I know that they currently are certified but it seems that no one ever really tries to go after them like nurses. They know that the final responsibility rests with the RN/LPN and they can walk away with clean hands when bed sores develop or vitals aren't taken.

Specializes in Registered Nurse.
Well said, lisadlpn2Brn and Hellllllo Nurse!

I do too! I did my stint as a CNA long ago. I don't need to prove anything now. I earned my LPN license and then I earned my RN license. I know what each job is like very well, thank you very much. And that is not to say that they are not all difficult at times.

Specializes in Case Manager, LTC,Staff Dev/NAT Instr.

I totally agree with RN34TX!

RIGHT ON !!!!:) :) :)

Earlier I talked about job performance and accountability but actually the first posting was more about CNA bullying behavior. I've encountered this since my very first clinical rotation in LPN school where the CNA was very similar to the one described above. She was thrilled to see brand new scared to death nursing students stumbling around the unit and had a great time trying to boss us around and saying tjings like "Your supposed to be going to school to be a nurse and you didn't know that?" whenever a bedbath or whatever skill was not done to her satisfaction.

After graduating I took a job on a different floor of the same hospital but there was another one working on that floor as well. She had a bachelors in biology and was going to school to be a PA so she considered herself WELL above LPN's and ADN RN's. She would be sugar sweet to the nurse manager and charge nurses but belittle the rest of us. She did that to keep her power so that if you complained about her they would say"You know she's probably the smartest one on the floor, she has a degree you know." If you didn't constantly stay ahead of her you'd be subjected to things like "Your patients tube feed is about to run out, are you trying to starve him? Your IV pump is beeping, didn't they show you in nursing school how to use an IV pump? I'm a CNA and your supposed to be the the nurse and I have to tell you that?"

7 years and 3 different states later I've learned that they exist everywhere and management does nothing about it.

Complaining about it gets you accused of either being a "lazy nurse who expects the CNA to do it all" or a big ego RN who can't stand a CNA knowing more than you do. What a bunch of crap.

They all have 2 things in common, even the one with the degree:

Jealosy and low self esteem.

These types probably could function much better if they went back to school and got their nursing licenses. They feel as if no one values them on the floor other than to do the dirty work so they need to remind everyone constantly of how smart and great that they are.

This would not remedy the one with the biology degree because she would be lowering herself if she were to try to become an RN. But for the rest of them I've tried diligently to encourage them to go back to school and better themselves and show everyone what they know. I've brought them pamphlets about the LPN or RN program at some community college in the area, I tell them about my own struggle and journey from CNA to LPN to RN. I do the same for the LPN's who suffer the same syndrome of "I can't believe that I have to tell these RN's how to do their job."

I too was bitter to watch people providing substandard care yet they got paid more than me because of their license level. I thought to myself, "it's just a piece of paper, I'm a better nurse than a lot of these RN's." But the hospitals don't see it that way. So what did I do?

I went and got that precious piece of paper that supposedly tells the world that I'm the more competent professional on the floor even though I believe that I was just as good as an LPN. I did not spend my time belittling RN's and reminding them of how smart and great I was. I SHOWED them.

But try to encourage your co-workers to go back to school and you find that many (including unit clerks) were RN students at one time and every excuse in the book starts coming out:

"My instructors were out to get me" (Whose weren't?)

"My husband left me with the kids and I had to quit, my mother got sick and I had to care for her, I hurt my back" etc.

I don't mean to make light of these very real life situations that happen but....

Stop taking it out on us because for whatever reason you didn't become a nurse.

DO NOT run to your NM anymore. Confront this CNA with another nurse present who will only act as a witness. Make sure this CNA understands that she will get only as much respect as she gives and that any comments about a pt's care need to be conveyed in private and not with the pt present.

DO NOT allow any further excuses to be made for this person. She obviously has a need to show that she can be superior to satisfy whatever is lacking. This needs to stop. You are in the best postition to make that happen. You can do it!!!

Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
I certainly didn't mean it in a superiority way (about losing a nurse vs. a CNA), but in a financial way - they oriented me for 6 weeks, sent me to a 2-week critical care course, and certified me in BLS/ACLS. An awful lot of money invested in me due to my position on the staff (and the other nurses, not just me). The CNA's, while they are required to be certified, do not attend those classes at the hospital's expense, and while they also require orientation, it is usually two weeks long.

I don't think you need to hesitate to claim "superiority" in this context. Being a nurse doesn't make you a superior human being, certainly, but you are almost certainly the more valuable employee, which is why you get paid more, and your position is at least partly supervisory, making you a superior.

As a nursing student/orderly, I see this issue from both sides. There are way too many self-appointed nurse managers in the world, and way too many support staff who don't respect nurses. Too bad it isn't a perfect world, but it is the duty of management to make their part of the world tolerable. I see this as a case where market forces can work. You have a right to express your concerns to your manager, but not to the point of telling her/him how to do their job. If they don't address your concerns, in the present climate you can easily go elsewhere for employment. If the problem persists, others will likely do the same, until upper management recognizes the need for a new nurse manager. (If changing jobs is a bigger burden than you want to take on, going over the manager's head is another option, but usually not a great one.)

In my hospital, orderlies and aides are accountable to the nurse manager and nurse director, and parts of my job are none of the nurses' business. But when I precept, I try to make my trainees grasp that a.) the charge nurse speaks for the manager and b.) in matters involving patients, that patient's nurse has "godlike" authority. Unless, of course, you know for a fact she's wrong, in which case you call the charge nurse, pronto. Of course, now that I'm in nursing school, I encourage my peers toward an entirely inappropriate degree of reverence for nurses, but they pretty well know when I'm full of it.

Well, I'm getting windy, here. My main point is, it isn't undemocratic to recognize that competent nurses are harder to find than competent aides. That, and I did think Teacher Sue's advice was very good, too.

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