Bossy CNA's in LTC(long)

jaimemds · Dec 25, 2004

Thanks guys, It has been very helpful to hear your many opinions and I will take them all under advisement as I decide what to do. :Snow:

MrsLePew · Jan 1, 2005

Wow what a tread!! Thanks my heart has been lifted. I recently had run in with physical threats but decided to look the other way not wanting her to get fired (no violence workplace); but than the lil t--- tried to get me fired, saying I was at fault. This has been happening for a week and yesterday I made a med error (stressed I am thinking and mind not on what it should of been.) I decided today that I couldn't work under such conditions and taking such risks with my patients and license, I told my admin. I was quitting. She was aware of the situation by the lil t--- (who told lies on me) and others that told their story (which put her in the wrong). I was told, "WE can't loose you! She's off the schedule." I feel bad for the girl BUT lines and actions were crossed for days..

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Jan 1, 2005

Our bossy CNA finally got fired. I started to think no one would do anything about her mouth/attitude but I guess they were letting her have enough rope to hang herself and eventually had the paper trail to back it up.

Malt123 · Jan 1, 2005

I am so glad to here you talk about this. I was beginning to think that the CNA's were promoted and the nurses demoted to babysitters.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Jan 2, 2005

I am so glad to here you talk about this. I was beginning to think that the CNA's were promoted and the nurses demoted to babysitters.

Where I work, the job of babysitter is delegated to the CNA preceptors. In addition to training and doing orientation, I get to be the bad guy and light the fire under butts that could care less about the patients they are neglecting. They screw up, I get yelled at. Go figure.

Malt123 · Jan 2, 2005

I was working on a skilled unit with 3 brand new CNA's, with 24 residents, 16 of them high aquity there was no way that I could train the CNA's too. This is what gets so hairy as an RN. We put our license in jepordy with this stuff.

avahsmiles · Jan 2, 2005

...there are CNA's at my present job who have been their for years and who always work a lot of overtime for them. They are the "untouchables" it seems who can do anything they want. :angryfire

Sounds like my ltc facility....this is why the DON cannot keep good, kind & decent CNA's, quite a high turnover rate. Some of these nasty CNA's are borderline psycho! I'm trying my best to hang in for another few months, then i'm moving on. So sad when you feel like you're the only one working your butt off. :uhoh3:

Maybe the DON and management are afraid these wierdos will slash their tires or something if reprimanded?!

tracimom · Jan 5, 2005

I read some of these posts about crappy CNA's. So I just thought i'd throw in a war story as well.. I still can't believe this happend, but here it goes. So I had a patient on the oncology floor die, his wife of 50 years at his bedside. He was late 70's I think...so she calls for help, me and the RN I was working with went down to the room and here comes the CNA *one of those older ladies that's been a CNA forever and knows all*, no pulse, no apical pulse or any heart tones for that matter, respirations that were just reflex, no gas exchange was happening, and they were sporadic at best. He then had a muscle spasm in his left arm. So none of us are saying much, the wife is crying "is he gone?" He's clearly gone, but the RN is still assessing before we say anything. The CNA pipes up "Oh no honey, see his arm that must be a pulse, he's fine" I thought the RN was going to have a stroke, you could see the vein pop out of his forehead. Of course this sweet man was gone, and his wife was devestated. I cannot believe the nerve of the CNA to just jump in there and then later question us as to why we were upset with her.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2005

I read some of these posts about crappy CNA's. So I just thought i'd throw in a war story as well.. I still can't believe this happend, but here it goes. So I had a patient on the oncology floor die, his wife of 50 years at his bedside. He was late 70's I think...so she calls for help, me and the RN I was working with went down to the room and here comes the CNA *one of those older ladies that's been a CNA forever and knows all*, no pulse, no apical pulse or any heart tones for that matter, respirations that were just reflex, no gas exchange was happening, and they were sporadic at best. He then had a muscle spasm in his left arm. So none of us are saying much, the wife is crying "is he gone?" He's clearly gone, but the RN is still assessing before we say anything. The CNA pipes up "Oh no honey, see his arm that must be a pulse, he's fine" I thought the RN was going to have a stroke, you could see the vein pop out of his forehead. Of course this sweet man was gone, and his wife was devestated. I cannot believe the nerve of the CNA to just jump in there and then later question us as to why we were upset with her.

Holy crap, I've only been a CNA for a year and a half, and I can tell the difference between reflexes and "alive." And assesment is the nurse's job, not mine, correct? That's a dumb CNA.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2005

Our bossy CNA finally got fired. I started to think no one would do anything about her mouth/attitude but I guess they were letting her have enough rope to hang herself and eventually had the paper trail to back it up.

HOORAY! Don't let the door hit her in the bum on the way out the door!

Malt123 · Jan 5, 2005

I was working on a med/surge unit and found the CNA sitting on the pts. bed talking to the family, explaing the pt. condition to him. she had told the family that she was a nurse, there she sat as proud as can be answering their questions. ugh!!!!:rotfl:

LPNnurse · Jan 5, 2005

I have just read all of your replies and I sort of understand. I used to be a cna and I need to say that their job is not easy. They have a very difficult job in LTC. I would not take it to heart. Like I said I used to be a cna and sometimes I look back and think that was harder than LPN. I don't look or treat cna's any different than the DNS. We are all equals and no offense we are all not treated as so. I have a great relationship with my cna's and that is becasuse I get out there and help them when I have free time. I don't sit there and chat with everyone until everyone is done. It is not right. We are all there for the residents and we sometimes get status in the way and forget that. Give them a break and instead of asking someone else why don't you help them? It would make a world of change. It is the little things that count. You could also pull her aside and ask her if she is okay, who knows maybe she is just having a bad day like we ALL do.:)

Hey all, I need some advice. I am an LPN working a skilled rehab unit in LTC. i recently joined the company so I am new to them, but have been a nurse for nearly 6 years. Yesterday, I had a floating CNA on my wing, she was not used to the pace and routine of our unit and was struggling to keep up, so I asked one of the regular CNA's to give her a hand(the regula CNA only had three pts.!!!) i explaines to her that the other CNA was falling behind and was getting frustrated. She TOLD me in a rude tone of voice that" I gave her report this morning and I TOLD her, if she needs help to ask". I then said to her that I was asking for her. She proceeded with "WHAT DID I JUST TELL YOU !!!!" I was appalled! :angryfire Our unit treatment nurse was within ear shot and so was another CNA. I walked away at that time because I knew if I said anything at that point I would blow up! Also this CNA has been counseled for her tone of voice to pts. In my opinion, if she speaks to ME this way, how is she really speaking to the residents? I need advice on how to approach someone with this attitude, make my point and ensure that I am taking the correct action. PLEASE HELP!!