aide from hell

I've returned to nursing after an 8 year absence and don't know how to handle this one.

I'm an LPN in a long term care facility and one of the aides on my wing is a real thorn in my (and everybody eles's side)with, I feel, the potential for disaster.

She appears to be about 16 or 17 years old and it's her first NA job. She's defiant, uncooperative, will NOT take direction and interrupts instructions to explain precisely why she did what she should not have done, never admitting that she may be wrong, or just plain inexperienced.

Case in point: An severly dysphasic woman with a gastric tube, unable to assist herself at all but apparently able to understand what's being said, done around her, was left by this aide wearing a pt gown, a bed sheet to her waist, that's all, with the window open (northern zone, 45 degrees, windy, wind blowing directly in the window) and even I noticed the room was darn chilly. The aide entered the room as I was covering the cold, uncomfortable resident and I took her aside to explain how vulnerable the elderly are, etc, and she flatly interrupted me, told me she wasn't gone long, that she didn't need to listen to me and could speak whenever she wanted. She's right, of course, but not in the position she's working...

This is typical, but not the only incident that other nurses, aides, and I have had with her.

I've tried to approach her from the position that this job is an on-going learning experience and I'm trying to give her information, not criticizms, but it's not working for me or anybody else.

My concern is that if she is this insolent and rude to the staff, what's she like to the residents, considering that her job does required the muscles of an elephant and the patience of a saint? Of course, she's often alone with very fragile and vulberable people.

My inclination, after having discussed her work with a couple of other nurses who've worked with her, is to go directly to the DON and have a frank discussion of my concerns.

Of course, we're all overworked and understaffed as are ALL nurses but she's like having one more BIG problem person to look after and, to some degree, I am responsible for her actions.

I don't want to come across as a drill sargeant, esp. since I'm trying to wade through all kinds of new and only vaguely familiar rules, meds and equipment myself but something has got to give and I just don't think she's got the maturity to deal with this very important job, and the compassion and responibility that go along with it.

Anybody out there......and suggestions?