Am I right or wrong

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 9, 2013

As everyone else has said, worry about yourself, not her. In a perfect world, everyone would care about the patients, but you will come across coworkers who are only in it for the money. It's a shame, but that's how it is.

Ruby Vee, BSN · 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.

Just worry about yourself and your own motivations, work ethic and job performance. If you go around talking about how someone else's motivation for working is less pure than yours, you sound self righteous and you're not going to be viewed as a team player or a team member. Just do the best YOU can. As far as your father goes, you ARE looking "too deeply into" someone else's motivations. That's none of your business. If you're so very worried about other people, he's right. You will probably worry yourself into quitting to look for a more perfect job. There probably isn't a perfect job.

lmccrn62, MSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

I don't think that you are being self righteous. There are many things regarding this persons behavior that is disturbing and hopefully will be addressed. Could she have common behaviors of other staff? It is also obvious their hiring practices are less than professional and not reflective of hiring the best. The person that suffers is the patient. My suggestion is give it a chance and see. If thus environment is not what you want to be part of then cut your losses. If care is good, staff work well together and patients are happy then give it a chance. Good luck. Always want to be in a environment that promotes excellence and professionalism.

allnurses Guide · Apr 10, 2013

I know when I was brand-spanking new to healthcare, I was surprised to see a few questionable people taking care of others. I thought all nurses were as pure as the driven snow (I hadn't even thought of what CNA's must be like, because before my best friend asked me to become one with her, I had never even heard of CNA's... I thought they were all nurses ).

Anyway, I had a perception that was based on WWDD... "What Would Dixie Do?" because all I knew about nursing was on Emergency reruns.

Not very realistic.

You learn quickly there are plenty of "questionable" folks that work with vulnerable pts... and yes, that can give one pause.

However, what you also don't know is that LTC's often have a hard time keeping staff (I don't know if the place you were hired at was an LTC, but I'm guessing it is). It's super hard work for super pitiful pay. Some places are desperate and will take a tattooed, pierced, unpunctual and uncouth worker over none at all.

That said, I would also be very very cautious over how I judge others. She may just surprise you yet and turn out to be very caring. You may scoff, but I have seen folks who were very questionable turn out to be very good. In fact, people looked at me that way when I first started. You even said your dad expressed doubts about you. Keep your thoughts to yourself and let your coworker prove herself.

If she continues the way she has been and proves to be terrible, then you will have the satisfaction of saying, "I knew it!". But until then, know that nursing isn't full of perfect pristine people and you work on you.

charli_appleRN · Apr 10, 2013

I agree with your dad, too. His advice applies to any job in any field. You just met this lady and you dont know enough about her to judge her work ethic. It's possible that she wasnt paying close attention because she has experience and/or was familiar with the facility. Never assume anything.....especially in healthcare.

CNAEB · Apr 10, 2013

I'm not trying to change her opinion or make myself seem as a saint. I just had such high expectations for the hiring process and my new facility. I am young and this is my first job, and I do have a lot to learnabout the professional world. I thought that people who are hired want to be a patient advocate or at least act as if they want to be. I thought that was why you are interviewed and your first impression is so important. The whole point of this thread was to see if this is common in hiring. It has nothing to do with how anyone else presents themselves or their intentions. What I think is"professional" someone else may not. I understand that completely. It was more or so about the management. I was just curious if this occurs in a lot of facilities. Thanks for everyone's input and opinion. I appreciate it all.

mvm2 · Apr 10, 2013

You know I'd just give it a few weeks. You both have been just orinated and you are not even sure how she is as a worker yet. Looks can be deceiving sometimes, she may be there for the money, but you never know she may work very hard. I just know that there all kinds of people in this world, and she may surprise you that even though she has tatoos and look hard on the outside she may be a warm person on the inside. hey maybe you can help her care by helping her out. You may just be able to be buddies and she will be a great asset to helping you in your job. Though if she does get herself in trouble and does not act like she should then yes for your own benifit keep your head down and just do your best at your job, and don't worry about her. You might be way to busy to even be able to care what she is doing.

charli_appleRN · Apr 10, 2013

It depends on how desperate the employer is for help. If they need someone like yesterday, they'll hire the first person that shows up.

I'm not trying to change her opinion or make myself seem as a saint. I just had such high expectations for the hiring process and my new facility. I am young and this is my first job, and I do have a lot to learnabout the professional world. I thought that people who are hired want to be a patient advocate or at least act as if they want to be. I thought that was why you are interviewed and your first impression is so important. The whole point of this thread was to see if this is common in hiring. It has nothing to do with how anyone else presents themselves or their intentions. What I think is"professional" someone else may not. I understand that completely. It was more or so about the management. I was just curious if this occurs in a lot of facilities. Thanks for everyone's input and opinion. I appreciate it all.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

I work as a nurse because I need money. Simple as that . I work very hard and always help coworkers. Some people are just lazy.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

We're all motivated by the money in some sense. Nursing is not a field that you enter "for the money" like, say, finance is but the reason I wake up and go to work every day is because they pay me. I would not do my job for free, no matter how much I love my patients.

MyUserName,RN · Apr 10, 2013

I'm not trying to change her opinion or make myself seem as a saint. I just had such high expectations for the hiring process and my new facility. I am young and this is my first job, and I do have a lot to learnabout the professional world. I thought that people who are hired want to be a patient advocate or at least act as if they want to be. I thought that was why you are interviewed and your first impression is so important. The whole point of this thread was to see if this is common in hiring. It has nothing to do with how anyone else presents themselves or their intentions. What I think is"professional" someone else may not. I understand that completely. It was more or so about the management. I was just curious if this occurs in a lot of facilities. Thanks for everyone's input and opinion. I appreciate it all.

In my experience in the hiring process (outside of healthcare and healthcare), no, that is not common in hiring. It doesn't sound like the facility really cares that much about the qualities of their employees and cares more about having a warm body to do the job, no matter how well they do it. If you notice the actions of this employee, believe me, other people will too and eventually, she won't work out...especially once she finds out how hard being a CNA really is, she may just quit herself.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

I'm not trying to change her opinion or make myself seem as a saint. I just had such high expectations for the hiring process and my new facility. I am young and this is my first job, and I do have a lot to learn about the professional world. I thought that people who are hired want to be a patient advocate or at least act as if they want to be. I thought that was why you are interviewed and your first impression is so important. The whole point of this thread was to see if this is common in hiring. It has nothing to do with how anyone else presents themselves or their intentions. What I think is"professional" someone else may not. I understand that completely. It was more or so about the management. I was just curious if this occurs in a lot of facilities. Thanks for everyone's input and opinion. I appreciate it all.

Yes.....well, not every place you work for will fulfill your expectations. You will find many different types of people and motivations as to why they are in healthcare.....some might just want to work there because they hate FF and hamburgers. You never know why one person is hired over another......heck that girl just might have been her daughter. :eek:

Watch where you step to void the land mines....