I am getting ready to start night shifts and I am nervous. I will have 3 cna's (if I am lucky) working the night shift with me. They have been using agency nurses for this position. There is only one other night nurse, so I will be picking up this shifts that she doesnt work.
I need advice on building a relationship with the cna's I will be working with. I do not have much expeirence in LTC so I am afraid that they might try to chew me up and spit me out, as the saying goes. I have heard that some try to run the show. Of course I was not told this after I was hired. So what do I do, how do I take this position of charge nurse without stepping on toes.
I have been working the day shift for the last couple of days and from what I was told was to be trained the right way. I was told that it is was beleived that room checks were not getting done at night and some other things. Residents found soaking wet in the am.
I feel like I have been put in an akward position and expected to make things right. But agian how do you do this without stepping on toes.
My plan is to lead by example. I hope this works because I am very nervous.
It was your responsibility to make so they didn't sleep.
You needed to inform them this was unacceptable - and you needed to follow up on this unacceptable practice.
Leaving might have solved the problem for you - but it allows the continuation of unethical conduct.
Your post upsets me.
Yes I agree with you and we did have a good long talk to them. I am sure they will not do it again.
There are numerous reasons why I left this position during orientation, it was not a good fit and I new it, so as too not waste anymore of their time I quit. The DON was very understanding of this. I do not regret leaving.
When you work as a team it can be awesome! Good luck!
For starters- Lots of luck- don't try to change anything right away (unless its dangerous to you or to others and u could lose ur license) . You were right to say lead by example. BE VERY PATIENT!!! show that you are a team member and there to help. If you are kind to them they with be to you in return, express your appreciation at the end of each and ecery shift say "It was a pleasure to work with you.. I';m sure you will do fine!!!
Update: I did leave this job and I am going back to my old psych position. At least at this job I know that we work as a team. My co-workers are awesome and I missed them so much. I am glad to be leaving this other place and going back to what I consider home.
U did the right thing- but next time if someone is sleeping in a shift u must wake them and remind them what they are getting a salary for - I don;t care if they read a magazine )|(or better a professional article....) if you look away you are just as responsible
ellen 12
79 Posts
It was your responsibility to make it so they didn't sleep.
You needed to inform them this was unacceptable - and you needed to follow up on this unacceptable practice.
Leaving might have solved the problem for you - but it allows the continuation of unethical conduct and practice that puts innocent patients at risk.
Your post upsets me.