Bossy Nurse Aids

ILoveHealthCare · Jun 15, 2013

I enjoy my job as an LPN at a nursing home; but I have a problem with a particular nurse aid who thinks she is the boss. She rolls her eyes talks about me like a dog, mocks me, and tries to tell me nursing things that are not in her scope of practice. Do I have a right to write her up for mocking me when we were discussing important patient information for making fun of me? I feel she is extremely disrespectful to me as her boss, and I am trying to figure out the best way to deal with this. If I write her up, how would I phrase that she was mocking what I said to another person? It sounds like grade school stuff, but I am not getting taken seriously as her boss.[/quote']
Have you tried talking with her? Maybe approach the situation as a team and not "I'm your boss do what I say" kind of stuff. It seems to me that you have control issues. Just tell her that you need to be treated with respect, but you need to treat her the same way!
It's a beautiful day to save lives.

ComeTogether, LPN · Jun 15, 2013

I'd talk to her first and let her know its not acceptable. If it doesn't change go on and write her up. Totally un-called for but I've seen it with fellow CNA's who had been doing it for years and years. She has a right to her opinion but only if she can come across respectfully and not argue.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2013

I enjoy my job as an LPN at a nursing home; but I have a problem with a particular nurse aid who thinks she is the boss. She rolls her eyes, talks about me like a dog, mocks me, and tries to tell me nursing things that are not in her scope of practice. Do I have a right to write her up for mocking me when we were discussing important patient information for making fun of me? I feel she is extremely disrespectful to me as her boss, and I am trying to figure out the best way to deal with this. If I write her up, how would I phrase that she was mocking what I said to another person? It sounds like grade school stuff, but I am not getting taken seriously as her boss.

First of all, you should set boundaries with her. If she is rolling her eyes after you say or do something, call her out on it. For example:

You: Barbara, please change Ms. P's bed linens while she goes to PT.

Barbara: (rolling her eyes). Yeah, whatever.

You: I'm sorry, is there something else that you had to do?

Barbara: No, I SAID that I would do it, ok?

You: Actually, you rolled your eyes and said, "Yeah, whatever." It's unprofessional behavior and it's disrespectful. I want us to work together as a team, and I need you on my team.

Most of the time, disrespectful behavior is the result of feeling threatened in some way. I've found that reflecting back the behaviors (as in the last sentence of my example) is effective in letting the staff member know that you aren't going to let them walk all over you. You can allay feelings of insecurity by letting the staff member know that they are an important part of patient care.

A lot of people choose to ignore the behavior to avoid confrontation, and the bad behavior continues.

If it happens again, set boundaries. Remind your aide that you won't tolerate disrespectful behavior, and state the consequences of continued bullying (i.e., write up).

It troubles me that your boss isn't taking this seriously.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2013

Are you her boss? It doesn't seem like it so that may be part of the problem.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jun 16, 2013

"I would appreciate it if you would start getting residents up for breakfast now, please".

If she declines, doesn't do it, makes comment, I would respectfully state that should she continue to not do what is asked of her, that you will have no choice but to discuss this situation with the NM.

It is a good idea in these instances to have a reminder of job description and duties at the next staff meeting.

You are technically not this CNA's "boss" however, you are the charge nurse in the facility. When making assignments for the day, be sure to be clear on the expectations during your shift.

Stella_Blue · Jun 16, 2013

This must be the girl that got fired from my place and is now working for you. It sounds just like her! Lol

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2013

You may not be her boss proper, but you are the licensed nurse, so you do have authority. Even if you were equals or her subordinate, she is being rude, and that is unacceptable. Are any of the other nurses having the same issues? It would emphasize the gravity of the matter if you weren't the only one reporting issues.

I would bring up your concerns with your manager not on the grounds of "she has to listen to me, I'm her boss" but more along the lines of concern for the cohesiveness of your workforce as well as patient safety.

"She is openly disrespectful and is often too busy trying to tell me how to do my own job to help me accomplish what needs to be done, which negates the need for her presence. I am concerned for the teamwork aspect of the job and patient safety as a result." Something like that.

SleeepyRN · Jun 17, 2013

I enjoy my job as an LPN at a nursing home; but I have a problem with a particular nurse aid who thinks she is the boss. She rolls her eyes talks about me like a dog, mocks me, and tries to tell me nursing things that are not in her scope of practice. Do I have a right to write her up for mocking me when we were discussing important patient information for making fun of me? I feel she is extremely disrespectful to me as her boss, and I am trying to figure out the best way to deal with this. If I write her up, how would I phrase that she was mocking what I said to another person? It sounds like grade school stuff, but I am not getting taken seriously as her boss.[/quote']
I would read your policies and procedures handbook on this. When I first started, HR made it a point to tell me how I was allowed to "discipline" CNAs. Some bullying started toward me. My DON and I were talking about the incident and when I told her what the CNA said to me, my DON stopped me and said, " you had the right to send that CNA home right then and there." But every place is different. Speak with her maturely, set boundaries, find out what you are allowed to do disciplinary wise, document every incident, and when all else fails, bring ut to the attention if the DON. Its not just a matter of our feelings being hurt. If staff and patients are hearing her speak to you this way, it can break that ever important trust/report we try to build. Good luck!

EquestrianRN · Jun 20, 2013

Absolutely agreed with all above. Push the teamwork angle. I say this because it is true, you MUST BE A TEAM!

Remind her, in private and respectfully, that in order for you each to provide pts with the best care possible, you simply MUST WORK TOGETHER. AS WELL...model what "professional behavior" is for her at all times.

Most likely, she will either realize you see her as an equally important part of your team of two, or, she will maintain similar behavior, only with the truly "high up" BOSSES, AND THEY WILL NOT TOLERATE SUCH FOR A MOMENT.

In that case, most likely, she'll hang herself with her own rope/behavior, and they will get rid of her in short order...you just do your best to maintain calm, CONFIDENT, PROFESSIONALISM at ALL times, and you'll do FINE!

Best to you, it's a tough situation.

mingorn · Jun 20, 2013

I work as a RN in a very busy ICU and we have one particular aid who is bossy and lazy. She has the morale of the staff to the point where we say we would rather have no aids. Management is aware and try to speak to her but hesitate to do anything more drastic because she is a single mother. She is lacking in patient care and has a bad attitude which she displays in front of patients and family . My point is if you have a good aid tell them and take care of them.

november17, ASN, RN · Jun 25, 2013

There is a wonderful book called "working with difficult people" that details a lot of good communication strategies to handle people like that. You can probably find a used copy on half.com for pretty cheap.