Am I right or wrong

rumwynnieRN · Apr 9, 2013

It's true that healthcare teams should be working as a team, and your new coworker's behavior was reprehensible, but your dad has valid points. Her intentions may be less than honorable, but people get into a number of jobs for a variety of reasons, and sometimes those reasons change over time. It's wonderful that you want to be a patient advocate as a CNA, but as your dad said, focus on yourself. If at the end of the day, she hasn't harmed patients, and the shift went without incident, leave your coworker alone. While your intentions for yourself and your patients are honorable, they are also idealistic and come across as self-righteous. If you're seen as self-righteous, there's the likelihood you'll rub your other coworkers the wrong way, and they'll want to work with you less.

CNAEB · Apr 9, 2013

I don't get what you are saying by appearing self-righteous. Do you mean me acting as if I'm perfect? If so thats not how I feel at all. i hope I don't appear to be that way. I have a lot to learn and I know ill learn a lot from my coworkers. I do think she's a nice lady and I like her. Im not that upset about what occurred today during orientation, just a little taken back. I just expected it to be different. The comment that I won't last, is what got to me.

NurseAmie · Apr 9, 2013

Sounds to me like you are young, and were raised to respect certain values. And going into the work force with those values, you are confused by the lack ofthose values, as you see it. I have no answer to your issue, but it will happen in any line of work, even though it may dsitress you.

rumwynnieRN · Apr 9, 2013

I just had a conversation about a new job with my dad. This is my first ever job and I'm already discouraged. I'm just curious about how you guys feel about the situation and if I'm wrong.
When I had my interview they only asked me why did I want to be a cna. And hired me on spot. Without calling my references or anything. I expected them to ask more and really determine if I was a true patient advocate. today was mine and another girls orientation. The other girl was 30 minutes late. Texted. Had a couple phone calls. Fell asleep. Didn't take out her tounge ring or cover her tattoos. I don't think there is anything wrong with piercing or tattoos but i believe they should be covered or removed just because its the Code of conduct. Then the girl and I were talking and she was like ya I only want this job for the money. & that's what she told them when they interviewed her. & when we went on the tour she would stop and talk to people she knew. & wasn't paying attention to the lady giving us a tour. When you work as part of a team it isnt only about yourself. its about everyone. My dad thinks I shouldn't worry about other people because when I get money they're not sharing it with me. All I need to worry about is myself. But I don't feel like that. In a healthcare team or any team, it isn't about you. It's about everyone involved. I want to work with people who care about the patients. Not the money. It's not about the money.its about the patients health. He said if I continue to think like I'm not gonna have this job for long. I'm just upset about what my dad told me and how orientation went. he thinks i'm looking to deep into it. Has anyone else felt like this, is this common? I'm just so upset about what happened and my dads comments.

In the workplace, people can (and will) take that as self-righteousness. They'd also see it as, "You're judging her because she isn't doing it for the right reasons, but you're doing it for the right because you want to be a patient advocate. So you're saying that because she didn't say she was doing this for patient advocacy, because she's doing for the money, that you must be the better worker?" I believe you when you say you don't feel that way, but that's something I would be mindful of because we can appear certain ways to others. You said this is your first job so this would take time and practice.

As for your Dad's comment that you won't last -- there's some truth to it. You'll wear yourself out if you pay attention to those details. Part of the reason my mom has gone 30 years as a CNA is because she stopped caring about or paying attention to what some of her coworkers did. All she cared about was whether or not they'd give her a headache during shift or if she'd be by herself giving 10 bed baths in a row.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2013

My personal rule of thumb is to refrain from getting concerned with my coworkers' motivations for showing up to work. My coworkers do not share their earnings with me or pay my bills, so their reasons for working are purely up to them.

My reasons for working are not all altruistic, either. I work because I have needs that must be met, too. These needs can only be met with the help of a steady paycheck.

I work because I wish to be paid for the services that I render. I work because I need some cash flow to keep my bills paid. Working for free will not generate the money needed to keep a roof over my head, food on the table, or gas in the tank of my car. The moment my bosses wish to stop paying me for my labor shall be the same moment I stop showing up to work.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 9, 2013

Being a CNA is not easy, it is tough work. If you get yourself all twisted around about other's motivations and/or behaviors, you will burn out in no time. Hence why perhaps your Dad felt that at that rate, you would be stressed and discouraged pretty quick.

Do what you can to learn what you need to. Work to make your patient load comfortable. What others do, don't do, why they are there is left up to them.

That is wonderful that your work ethic is a good one. Your Dad, I am sure, is proud of those things he instilled in you. Look at this as a stepping stone to really be in a place where you can look at all of the different ways one can advocate for a patient. You may want to go to nursing school. You may want to go into social work or case management. Or you may be quite pleased with the patient interaction that a CNA has, and be happy in your own duties.

Whatever you decide, make a pact with yourself that you can not change someone else's behavior. Go in, do what you can, and leave the rest.

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2013

Concerning yourself with what co-workers do is one sure way to burn yourself out, especially if you don't think they're there for the right reasons. I've been guilty of having high expectations out of my co-workers. I think everyone should work as hard and take things as serious as I do. However, that's not the case and it can be frustrating. She was being honest about needing the money, and they hired her anyway. Hopefully she won't mistreat/abuse the patients, or put you at risk when you work with her. Really that is all you should expect from a co-worker.

Your dad knows you best. He's telling you that you may need to lower your expectations because of his own experiences. I wouldn't get too upset about that, he's trying to keep you from setting yourself up for disappointment.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 9, 2013

Since this is her first job, the OP may have an idealized perception of how health care operates, so it can come as a shock to find out that it really functions like other businesses. The vast majority of employees are motivated by salary, not committed to a vocation. It's all OK. Patients really don't care as long as their treatment is unaffected.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2013

I just had a conversation about a new job with my dad. This is my first ever job and I'm already discouraged. I'm just curious about how you guys feel about the situation and if I'm wrong.
When I had my interview they only asked me why did I want to be a cna. And hired me on spot. Without calling my references or anything. I expected them to ask more and really determine if I was a true patient advocate. today was mine and another girls orientation. The other girl was 30 minutes late. Texted. Had a couple phone calls. Fell asleep. Didn't take out her tongue ring or cover her tattoos. I don't think there is anything wrong with piercing or tattoos but i believe they should be covered or removed just because its the Code of conduct. Then the girl and I were talking and she was like ya I only want this job for the money. & that's what she told them when they interviewed her. & when we went on the tour she would stop and talk to people she knew. & wasn't paying attention to the lady giving us a tour.
When you work as part of a team it isnt only about yourself. its about everyone. My dad thinks I shouldn't worry about other people because when I get money they're not sharing it with me. All I need to worry about is myself. But I don't feel like that. In a healthcare team or any team, it isn't about you. It's about everyone involved. I want to work with people who care about the patients. Not the money. It's not about the money.its about the patients health. He said if I continue to think like I'm not gonna have this job for long. I'm just upset about what my dad told me and how orientation went. he thinks i'm looking to deep into it. Has anyone else felt like this, is this common? I'm just so upset about what happened and my dads comments.

I am sorry you have experienced this ...but your dad is right. It is NOT your place to judge this girl nor is it your place to discipline her. She is not your responsibility to mandate nor moderate her behavior. You are NOT her employer nor mother and you will do nothing but by yourself a whole helping of trouble trying to "fix" everyone to meet your standards.

The "team" is about everyone but worry about NO ONE but YOURSELF. Keep the discipline to your boss and HR department.....and keep your nose out of her business.((HUGS))

I say this for you own good! I admire the respect that you have for the profession and it tells me that you will be a fine CNA and maybe you would consider becoming a nurse someday. BUT.....worry about yourself. What she wears or does is up to your boss to take care of. Keep your head down, take good care of your patients.....this other employee in NOT your responsibility!

So yes your Dad is right! Good Luck! :inlove:

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Apr 9, 2013

you are only responsible for what you do. I agree, the other party sounds like trouble, but it is not your trouble. HOWEVER, if the management allows people to act like this then the behavior will only get worse and you will be miserable in that environment. My advice is to set a good example, put in time there, and if the culture of that job is totally against your values, then look for work elsewhere. It will be to your advantage to have experience.

monkeybug · Apr 9, 2013

You sound like you are going to be a good, caring CNA. And it is a bit disappointing to find out that not everyone is as motivated as you. But I just want to point out that every nurse, unless they function as volunteers or as nuns who practice as part of their vocation, are at least in part motivated by money. I love my job. Really and truly love it. But if they stopped paying me tomorrow, I'd have to move on. So yes, I do come to work for the money. But also for love, responsibility, and dedication. Go, do your job, and be a patient advocate. The rest will just drive you crazy if you let it.