Attitudes in healthcare (possible rant sorry)

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Hey everyone! I'm Ryan and I just passed the CNA exams last month and I'm currently working as R.A./C.N.A. for an assisted living home and trying to get on at home healthcare facility. I've worked there since March as the overnight and shift and I just feel like the epitome of a pee on! We do not have housekeeping and so I am the house keeper which makes me angry because I took this job expecting patient care. On top of the ridiculous task of housekeeping (I'm talking down and dirty scrubbing floorboards, dusting sculptures, wiping doors housekeeping) I'm expected to also restock items in our pantry which to me is dietaries job, and as well as do other cleaning tasks that have not been finished because of the other shift blatantly not doing it!

No nobody wants to work as a team and its creating a very hostile environment, even my supervisor has attitude, she runs this facility like its high school, those that do a good job and work are rewarded with constant criticism and more work and those that do nothing and have poor attitudes are not expected to do anything more then whats required, she plays favorites and is very two faced, everyone is very two faced and it has left a very bad taste in my mouth as to whether I want to be a nurse now or not. Should I these jerks sway my vision of what I expect healthcare to be? Is it always going to be constant cattiness and poor attitudes? I know nobody is perfect and everyone is different and such but it seems the hostility and negative attitude is more profound in nursing then any other industry I've for. This "first impression" has left me sour and now I am unsure of my future! So is it just me? Because this facility run completely backwards to the way I was trained in my C.N.A. classes and it making very anxious. Thank you for your support to a newbie!

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.

Ryan,

I'm sorry to hear you've had such an experience. I hope you can find a facility that is more tailored to your work ethic soon! I am 19 year old second year male nursing student. I have worked at a local hospital as a CNA for about 2 years now. I can understand your feeling of frustration. My hospital is understaffed in multiple areas. Thankfully I am in the float pool and go to various department each time I go to work. My best advice to you is to know that not all facilities are like that. I love my job. I mean don't get me wrong, I;m positive that every job, no matter how much you love it, has its bad days. I have certain departments where I float to, like the ED, ICU, CVICU, and Telemetry that have staff that truly work together and are friends for the most part. View this a an opportunity to catch a real glimpse of nursing, if that is your interest. Not all days are good, but if you come out of it still wanting to be a nurse, that says something. Just a thought.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Ryan, you are a CNA. You should be able to get another position somewhere, anywhere else. Find another job FAST as you are being used by your employer, not as a CNA. Yours is not a true reflection of all healthcare facilities, and that is sad as you will not be gaining any patient care skills/experrience. Unless the RA part of your job description has you doing all those other tasks, that's probably all you'll be responsible for. And the staff environment there sounds TOXIC. Get out of there (as there will probably be other issues). Good luck as you deserve better because you are worth it!

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Thank you guys for you kind words and support it is very much appreciated, I just applied for a home health care position so hopefully I can move on from this environment, I've been working since I was 16 so I know we all have "those" days but when its everyday all the time its tiresome and I'm trying to run out of there fast, I would love to work in a hospital but here in Iowa anyways you have to have the 150hr CNA class and I haven't taken it yet hopefully will take it next semester. And sorry for the typo's! But again thank you for your support!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Ryan - I'm confused. Are you or aren't you a certified CNA with that officially-issued piece of paper in your hot little hands?????? If you indeed are NOT a CNA, then you will have problems applying elsewhere. Likewise, home health aides usually require a different certification program. They are similar programs but with some differences, but again you will need the appropriate certification.

Sounds like you were really hired for the RA job position (because of your lack of appropriate certification) which limits your care activities with the facility residents. This is rightly so!! Your job responsibilities are determined by your CERTIFICATIONS and/or LICENSES. That's why you're doing housekeeping/maint/dietary tasks. It should have been clear when you were hired.

Think about it --- I have a driver's license but I'm not allowed to drive an 18 wheeler or a bus! But unless you have the right certs, you're kinda stuck. Again, good luck.

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I AM a CNA.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Ryan - Sorry. Your 2 posts left me wondering. It does sound like you're not really being utilized as a CNA as you should be. Look elsewhere. You ARE being taken advantage of and you deserve better (I'm surprised they didn't have you buffing the floors!). Good luck to you.

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Specializes in LTC.
those that do a good job and work are rewarded with constant criticism and more work and those that do nothing and have poor attitudes are not expected to do anything more then whats required, she plays favorites and is very two faced

I hear that!

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I agree with the others...leave! You will run into people like that anywhere but not everywhere. Some employers are on glass door.com and former employees are able to leave reviews of that company. Working in ltc is emotionally draining but has its rewards too. You have to find your niche home health care is a more relaxed atmosphere, more one on one care. Med assistants cannot transition to Lpns or Rns keep that in mind too. There are so many different things you can do with a nursing license you just have to find what's a good fit for you. Nurses can be catty you'll have to learn how to deal with those ones but a lot of them can be awesome. Besides nursing, physical therapy assistants make great money, are able to travel, work one on one with patients too, my sons thinking about that, it's a two year program. Food for thought, hope you feel better I'm rooting for you!

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Its ok ya when I was hired I was hired as a resident assistant for their overnight shift but its turned into housekeeping and dietary lacky, I got my CNA last month while working as a resident assistant but have not been given the tittle and more housekeeping and dietary duties are being dumped on me and I did apply for a home health aid position with another company, I've heard this company is the worst company in iowa to work for so I am doing what I can do get out, don't get me wrong I don't mind light house keeping but down and dirty housekeeping eff that noise if I wanted to clean floorboards and stock shelves I'd go work for Molly Maids and walmart. But I'm trying to stay away from LTC I'm not found of LTC I'll do it but its not my first choice once I get my advanced CNA I can work for hospitals but until then pretty much home care and LTC!

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