I have been in LTC for 27 years......aid for 3 & LPN for 24 years. It never ceases to amase me that there is ALWAYS ONE IN EVERY FACILITY who thinks THEY have ALL the answers....geez, I wish I did.
My problem is one particular STNA who says she CAN NOT work with me. She changed her schedule so we do not work on the same weekend & cut back a day so "we do not work together as often". Last weekend I was off and she told the other nurse (who I usually work with) that she did not change her schedule because of her but rather because of me...just does not think she can work with ME. She tells other nurses & STNAs how she has had to change her schedule because of me & how I yell at her (never once raised my voice). I have spoken to her a couple of times about parts of her job she has not completed but I though that's what Charge Nurses were supposed to do.
The problems: I have caught her in 2 lies r/t patients....she runs to the DON with everything(DON has aids before nurses), she smiles to my face but OH so different behind my back, and she is constantly late but never does anyone say a word to her. The other nurse and I were "talked to" about how WE need to be nicer to these STNAs. Short of doing my work and their work too I am not sure how I could be nicer to them (her).
I have NEVER said anything degrading to her and have always tried to help out but I have my own work to do. She and another STNA are "friends" and both will tell anyone upfront " I have been here 3 years (a record for the facility), I know the policy better than you" so they both do what they want to do. If you tell them what to do you are "a bad nurse".
It isn't like jobs are plentiful around this area and I do not want to give up because of another person. We are on the same unit everytime we work together so I can not work another area to "get away"
I am just at my limit because I feel she just looks for things to tell the DON but when I talk to the DON about her the DON just tells me to be nice because the STNAs work hard.
After all these years this is the 1st major issue for me with an STNA & no support from my DON
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, EVERYONE was in the dining room or at the nurses station....there are NO witnesses. I know in my heart & soul what happened & I know WHAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I thought it was innocent until proven guilty...has that changed TOO....LOL
I do not have the authority to make anyone leave when the DON or ADON is in the building. I did tell the DON what the STNA said to the resident. Today I filed for unemployment although I am just suspended because I wanted my employer to know I am not waiting around forever for a decision. I do plan on filing a wrongful termination lawsuit. I see where this employer has had several suits againt them. This is my 1st place where you wasn't fired for what she did & certainly the 1st for the charge nurse to be suspended/fired. Many of my coworkers have said they do not believe I said any curse words but unfortunately the DON/ADON/ADM are not on my unit enough to know me as a person or a nurse.
I am sorry, I did nothing wrong. One demented resident (well document in her chart) is the ONLY witness. Do you think that STNA would have stood for herself to be sent home & not me if I had cursed?? SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THAT.
Good for you getting your ducks in order I bet they are counting on you to cower. Hopefully you will get the respect you deserve and things will move on for you in a positive direction - maybe at the same place. Small towns are tough, I too would want to continue living in the same place and keeping a stable life for my child. As for the comment made that you are guilty by having not reported the STNA - what eeeeeeek :angryfire such a typical tactic and pious judgement by the forces that do enjoy intimidating people to cover for their own deliberate and inexcuseable behavior.
Lets hope your good record speaks for itself and the STNA's record as well . It would be impossible for the pt to really determine who was saying what and any good DON would realize that.
In your defense you did report it as soon as you could, taking into account you were busy (already behind schedule) and didn't want to report something at the expense of your pt care, and you never accused the STNA of NOT having tried to get the pt out of bed for the meal...she was and probably will be a loose canon. Don't let her get under your skin.
When you apply for other positions, you should be straightforward about this incident and explain, you did nothing wrong, you dont curse or argue out of habit, you understand how important it is to stay calm on the units and the pt who was confused got it wrong.
There by the grace of G-d go us all,
you have to dig deep and stay strong- things will work out ,they always do...
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
So sorry this is happening to you. There are several threads on here about really experienced nurses getting sc----- over by co-workers and not backed up by adm. Is that how we treat nurses who are a treasure trove of experience in their specialties?? It makes me sick. Seriously. I feel ill.
Reading again your OP, I would tell you, good riddance - as convenient as this place is, the DON is obviously not supportive, encouraged insubordination by the STNA's etc, what eventually happened was just the handwriting on the wall. It is unfortunate that the patient complained about you, maybe you should have protected her better and moved her away from the offending STNA, but hindsight vision....
Chalk this up to an unfortunate experience, and move on, you deserve better even if you have to commute- and I know that is difficult. Maybe your sons school needs a nurse, maybe there are other venues for you as a nurse in your community etc.
I am sure you did the best you can, sometimes even thats not good enough and better to cut your losses
Dont be surprised if the STNA is reinstated - they will say that at least she was honest and sorry for what she did, you on the other hand are lying when you stick to your story that you didnt curse or argue etc...
I have seen it all and am quite jaded.
I hope you see much satisfaction and good things from your son and your career.
Sorry this is happening. Only advice I have is to wait until the nursing home has told they have FINISHED their intervestigation- please get in writing. Then call and report to you State inspectors for abuse to a resident- doe not sound as if they have any case against you. In my state the facility as only so long to report abuse. I bet they will not report this! State will investigate- may not help your case but may prevent another nurse from going thru this.
Today was terminated & attorney said Ohio law only covers employees IF terminated for discrimation reasons. I never cursed or argued but reason for termination was arguing with another employee & creating a hostile environment for the resident.....total lies.... I just found out the other nurse I was working with has been told she either transfers to work my hall & the RN upstairs has to move downstairs "to handle things". This is an RN who is "one of them". She can not handle a blood spill....she took the broom used to sweep up blood spill kit mess & put it back on the unit.
Thanks to everyone for their input/advise. I appreciate it all. Lesson learned, if you think the job is bad....it probably is.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Yeah, sometimes it's hard to acknowledge that it really is "them". I always wanted to believe that if I just did this or that I could change the outcome 'cause I needed the job. Took me a LONG time to accept that yes, there ARE mean people out there and mealy-mouthed, borderline personality disorder people in charge of our destiny in the facility no matter how hard we do this:banghead:. . . . .this:deadhorse. . . . .or even
Best wishes for a job that works for you and is fair and supportive. When it does work 'tis a joy to behold
Yeah, sometimes it's hard to acknowledge that it really is "them". I always wanted to believe that if I just did this or that I could change the outcome 'cause I needed the job. Took me a LONG time to accept that yes, there ARE mean people out there and mealy-mouthed, borderline personality disorder people in charge of our destiny in the facility no matter how hard we do this:banghead:. . . . .this:deadhorse. . . . .or even
Best wishes for a job that works for you and is fair and supportive. When it does work 'tis a joy to behold
I hope you find something much better as well. I agree, it really sucks when you realize there is NOTHING you could have done to change the outcome, you are gone no matter what, b/c of someone else being mean spirited.
I bet they are counting on you to cower. Hopefully you will get the respect you deserve and things will move on for you in a positive direction - maybe at the same place. Small towns are tough, I too would want to continue living in the same place and keeping a stable life for my child. As for the comment made that you are guilty by having not reported the STNA - what eeeeeeek :angryfire such a typical tactic and pious judgement by the forces that do enjoy intimidating people to cover for their own deliberate and inexcuseable behavior.
indiansfan
26 Posts
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, EVERYONE was in the dining room or at the nurses station....there are NO witnesses. I know in my heart & soul what happened & I know WHAT DID NOT HAPPEN. I thought it was innocent until proven guilty...has that changed TOO....LOL