Issues w/staff

[momo_2013]

Hi everyone,

Im a new nurse working at a SNF for the mentally disabled. It was the first job offering after getting my license. I jumped right on it and from the get go I had some weird vibe from that place. First off they only did 2 days of orientation/training and I was on my own. 2nd on my second day of training one of the Cnas who is in charge of making schedules had gotten upset at one of the nurses training me because the nurse was talking to another cna that she works Saturdays a lot and it interferes with her going to church. The cna was not happy about it and got the schedule book and slammed it on the desk and was yelling at her "show me where the **** you see all those Saturdays" she then stormed out slamming the doors and went back with the rest of the Cnas and was going on a rampage.

Now I noticed a few things here and there about staff and who runs the show and who has who's back about it. But one day I was working and it is completely my fault and I will own that. One day this pt was refusing to go to drs appt and this cna (who I previously mentioned) had gotten upset and came up from behind and kicked the chair the pt was sitting in. She then was yelling at her "get the **** up your going get the **** up" she even pulled the chair from up behind her and the elderly pt jumped up and hid her face in the corner and told her "this is elderly abuse." I at the time was speechless and didn't know what to do and was like okay then yeah she doesn't want to go. I know I should have advocated for my pt better but it was just a situation that caught me off guard.

Later on that day one of the PTs was sick and we were getting her up to the bathroom and the cna comes in and is like "this is so ****** up.. I bet it's those nurses giving her the wrong meds again" and I was like in shock that she said that because 1)in front of the pt 2)who are you to make those accusations. I was like "well it's not me if that's what your saying. So I left to finish charting and get a hold of the non existent doctor. So I was in the nurses station and she came in and was in the phone with the DON and was saying "that's what it looks like to me on what's going on and it's what you want to do about it." Then slammed the cabinet door and slammed the nurses station door and left. I was so upset that day!

I wanted to never return but I called the don and notified him of everything and he told me that I need to put it in writing and he will handle the rest. Well when I put it in writing one of the blabber mouths Cnas was there and told the cna that I was reporting her.

So yesterday I came into work into a huge **** storm! She was on the phone typing up a letter on the computer. Saying "this ***** wants to play games then let her play I'll report her ass to" so I was curious and said how am I playing games? The don said put it in writing so I did" then she was like really? That's not what the don told me. So I said really? Well let's call him up! So I called him up and told him what she said and he was like what? No I told you to put it in writing. So I told him to tell her that. So he told her. Then she says she got 7 signature from Cnas and a nurse witnessing me give med errors and not reporting it to the physician. She said she will turn it in and that they will take my license away. Of course the new nurse in me freaked out but is that possible? There's no evidence of any PTs getting sick going to the er or hospital! Nothing! So how can they prove it? With signatures?

The rest of my shift they were messing with me the entire time! The don was supposed to come but he didn't because the girl texted him no don't stress out it's okay don't come we are fine! But yet we weren't. I wanted to lock myself in the bathroom and cry! Of course I couldn't because I'm the only nurse working. They taunted me for a good 3 hours into my shift when finally the girl decided to leave 3 hoes after her shift ended.

I'm just so upset idk what to do. I go back in today and I don't want to have a replay again. This time I'm better prepared to ignore them and do my job but I just don't want to risk my license being taken away! Idk what to do! Help!!!

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

You need to choose one of the following courses of action ASAP:

1. Find a backbone and stop letting these people bully you.

-Report the elder abuse as you are a mandated reporter, not just to your DON, but to your respective state via the hotline. State Elder Abuse Hotlines

-Get with your DON privately and discuss what's going on. If these CNAs are finding out about the reporting because they're getting a talking-to, then fine. You need to be prepared to deal with the attitude that comes from that. But if they're standing there next to you, don't report them, don't talk about them. Handle it professionally and privately and make sure that the DON is talking with you, not tattle-tale CNA in the corner.

-No more crying in the closet. No more hiding from these nasties. You're an adult and you need to face this ugliness head-on. You're more than aware by now that if you show a second of hesitation, they're going to move in on you. So find your resolve and stand up for yourself, because no one else will.

-Please note that this scenario is dependant upon the DON backing you up. If your higher-ups don't support you or are more inclined to believe the CNAs, then you're in an irreparably toxic work environment and you need to leave.

2. Find a different place to work.

-Report the elder abuse as you are a mandated reporter.

State Elder Abuse Hotlines

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I'm with option # 2 above.

Sometimes there's nothing else you can do.

You MUST report elder abuse. You have to. The residents are defenseless and don't have an option # 2. What you described happening to that resident would have had me in my superman suit. Bully me and I might take it. Bully a helpless human being IN MY CHARGE, and that's another matter all together.

Good luck.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Please change your avatar picture. Think of the world of hurt you would be in if a coworker saw this post and saw your picture looking back at them. Never use your real name or picture.

[Baubo516, RN]

Whatever else you choose to do, PLEASE report this elder abuse to your state agency. Someone needs to defend those residents, even if you leave that job.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Not sure why this is in the HIPAA forum, but making these reports would certainly not be HIPAA violations, if that's what anybody thinks.

Do make those reports stat. As in, if you haven't done them yet, pick up the phone right now, before you do anything else.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

thread moved for best response

You have gotten good advice. Report this.

[Nola009]

That was abuse and you must report it. Not to an ineffective DON, but to your state. No one should be treated that way....especially not those who are entrusted in our care

[momo_2013]

Thank you everyone!

I had reported to the ombudsman as well.

I'm trying to leave but unfortunately I do have a family to take care of. My fiances car took a dump we have rent to pay. I know we can't afford to have me quit. Then we also can't afford to have me lose my license or get into trouble. These girls are not going to stop at my work and they made it very clear. They like to slam doors and binders on the counters or slam cabinets. I personally do not like it and think it is a sign of aggression. One of the Cnas was doing it and as the charge nurse I asked "hey can you not slam the door it's..." Then she cut me off "I didn't slam it!" Then rolled her eyes and walked off. She called the DON and said she got me in trouble for slamming the doors and I didn't. So I'm charting in the nurses station and she came in walked in and walked back out and SLAMMED the door. There is no arguin that she didn't slam it. So I told her "Jackie can we speak in the office please?" "No I don't want to talk to you!!" So I said okay well I gave you a verbal warning and you did it again so I'm calling the don and writing you up" "go ahead idc I already talked to him" I said okay then. So then I filled it out and called him and he was like "she didn't slam the door that's how she's closes it" so I get off the phone and went out AGAIN to try and talk with her but she refused again.

well she called the "head" cna and she came in on her day off and was like saying "okay so we fill out the form and send it to corporate?" Turns out she's writing a letter of grievance to the corporate office because I made her cry!

Later on that day I had left work and found scratches all over my car! When I left the "head" cna came to work on her day off and she was in there talking to another cna and saying how she's going "f me up" "her and her clique will get me" so I believe that she will try and do that. So that is the last straw for me!

It just sucks that these bad people are getting away with everything they did to me, done to other, and will cont to do!

Now im going to call corporate and tell them my situation and send in a letter of all the incidents that had occurred with times and dates. I'm also going to have no choice but to quit next week.

It just makes me so upset because I began to have a connection with my PTs. I began to learn all the quirks about them. Who likes this who hates that. When I come in for my shift you can't even imagine that smile on my face when I hear them say hi so excitedly. This would have been a perfect job had only management been around to stop this! I applied never knowing what to expect at this place. I never knew I would love mental health nursing!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

If my car was scratched up I'd call the police and make a report. I would call corporate headquarters to their HR/corporate compliance and make a harassment/workplace violence report. They may not threaten you. YOU need to start applying to other facilities before you quit. Ask your DON for a letter of recommendation right now. This mentality really angers me.

[momo_2013]

I called the corporate and was able to speak to HR. I told her the situation and she was "horrified" about all of it. She has not received anything from my DON of the elderly abuse. She asked me to fax it over to her so she can take action. I then told her about how they are accusing me of med error and not reporting and she said that she will deal with each complaint one by one. Then I told her to please keep it anonymous because I feel my safety is threatened. They have keyed my car and are making threats to other employees regarding me saying she will f me up. She then said that is not tolerated and to fax her a report of that as well and she will take action. I put in an app to a local convalescent and they said they will get back to me in a week or so because state is down for a week. I feel that I've done all that I could have done and there's not much else I can really do. I really wish one of the Cnas that witnessed the incident will speak up with me, but none of the Cnas will go against her because she messes with schedules and of course will make life he'll for them.

I've never had to deal with this situation before ever in my life. I'm 22 and I'm just starting my life learning experiences.

[momo_2013]

Idk if anyone remembers my post a month ago about my issues with staff members. I reported a staff member for elderly abuse and my DON went behind my back and told her as well as another staff member. It has been hell for me ever since. She retaliated against me and reported me for an unreported med error and she was (as well as 6 other CNAs)a witness. She cussed me out and harassed me my whole shift even though hers ended when my began. Then I had an issue with her friend that's a cna too. It was just hell they keyed my car and threatened me to other employees. I tried to suck it up as long as I could until another job came along. This happened on 2/28 and is still going on. I just stay away from her and ignore her as much as I can. She was reported to corporate regarding everything by a coworker and nothing was done!

I applied every where possible and had no call backs until this past Thursday! I finally received a call that I was selected for a position!! I'm so happy that I can finally leave that hell hole! The pay is also 3$ more than I was originally getting paid. Fingers crossed that I fit right in to my new place. I do fingerprinting on Monday and wait for my clearance!!! Just thought is update!