Bossy CNA's in LTC(long)

[jaimemds]

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!!

[Malt123]

this common practice. I was also told I was a racist because I told a CNA twice to go help pass trays. at the time I never noticed the color of her skin

[jaimemds]

The worst part I guess is the fact that now, everytime i look at a black person, i second guess myself thinking, "am I looking at them like I am a racist?" This whole situation has really, messed with my mind and confidence

[URO-RN]

I don't think that CNA's in long-term care are necessarily bossy. I think that they are very protective of their patients. They know their patients and have established deep bonds with them.

Of course, there are bad apples everywhere.

[katlpn6]

Although I am not making excuses for her behavior, lets face it, CNA's get paid very little money to do very hard work. I can understand how an "attitude" can develope in an underpaid overworked CNA. Add into that the age factor. You didn't mention the age of this CNA but in the rehab center where I do perdiem all the CNA's that I have working with me are very young. It seems that the younger people these days don't have the maturity needed to do any work with the public much less as a personal care giver to a fragile elderly person. It seems like your CNA has gotten full of herself and needs a wake up call. Certainly it is not your place to give it to her but you are certainly well within your rights as her direct supervisor to let her know that her behaviour is not acceptable. I'm sure you can find it in you to tell her in an nonthreatening diplomatic way that it is important for everyone to work together for the common good of the residents you all are caring for. Rimind her why she is there in the first place, to care for people who cannot care for themselvs.

[jaimemds]

This CNA is in her 30's, has a kid and is married. I don't believe age has anything to do with it. All the CNA's on my unit are older and have more experience

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

I had an attitude today. In my car on the way home. Not in front of my residents and coworkers. It pisses me off when I can't get my showers done because I'm running around toileting and putting to bed residents that I'm not assigned because they're yelling that they have to pee and their CNAs are nowhere to be found.

[LPNnurse]

I don't think age has anything to do with it. I think it is that they are underpaid for the work they do. There is not always enough staff HELPING eachother. I am an LPN and if I see a CNA that is stressed I ask if they need any help or if there is anything I can do. That is why the CNA's that I work with are always respectful and have no problem.

Although I am not making excuses for her behavior, lets face it, CNA's get paid very little money to do very hard work. I can understand how an "attitude" can develope in an underpaid overworked CNA. Add into that the age factor. You didn't mention the age of this CNA but in the rehab center where I do perdiem all the CNA's that I have working with me are very young. It seems that the younger people these days don't have the maturity needed to do any work with the public much less as a personal care giver to a fragile elderly person. It seems like your CNA has gotten full of herself and needs a wake up call. Certainly it is not your place to give it to her but you are certainly well within your rights as her direct supervisor to let her know that her behaviour is not acceptable. I'm sure you can find it in you to tell her in an nonthreatening diplomatic way that it is important for everyone to work together for the common good of the residents you all are caring for. Rimind her why she is there in the first place, to care for people who cannot care for themselvs.

[LPNnurse]

Did you ask for help? Did you tell your charge nurse about it? You should not have to deal with that by yourself, talk to your charge nurse and see what she has to say about it. You guys do a GREAT job and everyone should pitch in and help when stuff like that occurs.

I had an attitude today. In my car on the way home. Not in front of my residents and coworkers. It pisses me off when I can't get my showers done because I'm running around toileting and putting to bed residents that I'm not assigned because they're yelling that they have to pee and their CNAs are nowhere to be found.

[MrsLePew]

I had an attitude today. In my car on the way home. Not in front of my residents and coworkers. It pisses me off when I can't get my showers done because I'm running around toileting and putting to bed residents that I'm not assigned because they're yelling that they have to pee and their CNAs are nowhere to be found.

I will take a moment now and say thank u, for all u do.. Been there and done that myself and understand the attitude..

Now someone please tell me why direct care workers restrict fluids in the thinking they will have less to clean up???? Do they truly not understand what they are doing to the body??? It happens all too frequently everywhere. I guess that is MY biggest pet peeve...

[PBAJS]

i had an attitude today. in my car on the way home. not in front of my residents and coworkers. it pisses me off when i can't get my showers done because i'm running around toileting and putting to bed residents that i'm not assigned because they're yelling that they have to pee and their cnas are nowhere to be found.

did you ask for help? did you tell your charge nurse about it? you should not have to deal with that by yourself, talk to your charge nurse and see what she has to say about it. you guys do a great job and everyone should pitch in and help when stuff like that occurs.

that sounds similar to when i temporarily worked the day shift (several months ago due to a shortage of staffing).

asked another cna ... was told that each cna takes care of only those on her own assignment and i was to find that cna and let her know which resident needed her.

the day charge nurse noticed that i was behind and said "you have to focus on your own assignment. every call light is not your responsibility."

[color=white]...

[LPNnurse]

wow, that does not sound good. i thought everyone was there to take care of all the residents. i would have asked her if someone was sitting in a pile of vomit should you get the one that has him on the group or should you clean it. where i work we all have a hall. every cna has a partner and they have one hall to do, when they are done they go help everyone else until all the work is done. the rule is whenever you leave a room you always look down the hall to make sure the hall is not lit up like it is christmas, if it is you ask the if they need your help. everyone is very good about this and us nurses while doing our med cart will answer lights as we go along. sure it is a pain to lock up your cart but we are there for the residents. most of the time they don't want anything huge. if they do, that is okay cause we are all there to help them.

that sounds similar to when i temporarily worked the day shift (several months ago due to a shortage of staffing).

asked another cna ... was told that each cna takes care of only those on her own assignment and i was to find that cna and let her know which resident needed her.

the day charge nurse noticed that i was behind and said "you have to focus on your own assignment. every call light is not your responsibility."

[color=white]...

[lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN]

yep, asked for help, and yep, talked to the nurse about it. There's a staff meeting tomorrow.

MrsLePew-I've never even HEARD of restricting fluids to have less to clean up. That is INSANE. That is ABUSE.