Bully CNA, not sure how to fix this

[2018nurseandbeyond]

This CNA has been working with my facility for 13 years. Her coworkers warned me she's bit of a ditz and kind of lazy so I have to be firm/assertive with her when delegating tasks to her for my patient load. I work in a rehab center, so I have a ratio of 1:20.

A lot of the regular CNAs tell me I'm too mellow right now and that it is not really my responsibility to toilet pts and what i am doing as a RN is sending a message of "take advantage of me". The issue I come across is finding that balance where I'm not that RN that everyone is annoyed by because she doesnt help and the issue im currently having, which is not having a backbone.

The first time I met her she comes up to me, not even introducing her and demands me of the transfer status of the pt. I was preparing tx at my medcart and I didnt have any of the records pulled up on the computer so she immediately criticized me infront of my other co-workers saying stuff like " You dont even know the transfer? what good of a nurse are you if you cant give me that answer."

She continues this for most of our interactions, always jabbing at my compentency of a nurse, which is shakey because I am only 2 months in as a working RN.

Two other nurses witness this behavior and immediately call her out on this issue, i didnt realize she was playing games with me since I usually "go with the flow" with other people and try to match their energy.

Nurse A saw this CNA walk away from me when I started to talk to her. She left me while in midsentance and ignored any tasks i ask her to do for me even if i write them down for her, or she "forgets". She also forget we had 3 u/a +cs to get and dumped out fresh urine collected. I was told by other co-workers this CNA is spiteful to new nurses, especially younger ones than her and that "she was playing games"

After that night, I had a lot of introspection. This CNA goes up to another nurse and tells this nurse that I am being condescending to her and they are shittalking about me 4 feet away from be right behind me while I am working on reviewing orders for pt. It was really uncomfortable for me and then the nurse sat down next to me and said " Nurses who treat their CNA's subhuman are the worse" and she said that very slowly to me, punctuating her words and staring at me. Like I was doing the bullying.

It's mind boggling because I have helped toilet a patient for this CNA, collect urine and put pt's to bedpan or to the bathroom when I can, but if I ask for help I am immediately ignored or berated for " why arent you knowing this? arent you supposed to be a nurse" within 5 seconds of the question being asked.

I told my nursing mentor this since it was bothering me and like this CNA was making everyone conspire against me. She said that this was very innapropriate behavior and in the future i'd no longer be working with this CNA. I want to know if there is a way i can avoid or somehow manage this situation where it refocuses on the patient and not on weird drama.

its kind of a half-vent, half asking for advice because i feel so frustrated. i really try to lend a helping hand as much as possible.

[kyhoward1989]

I've worked in tough crowds before, but never to the level of some CNAs and their condescension... I would continue to provide adequate patient care to my patients and help when I can. It's a professional relationship, and the CNA needs to understand that its YOUR job to delegate tasks to the CNA and she technically IS your subordinate. If the harrasment continues, I'd take it up with human resources/manager.

[Just-floored]

So this definitely needs to be addressed. First if she isn't getting her tasks done and you are writing up a list make sure you also write up one for yourself and then you can document what isn't getting done. If it is most of what you are asking on a daily basis then you at least have documentation. Also document any comments putting you down or questioning your competence, most especially if it is something residents or their family can hear. This looks poorly on her and also on the facility to have it occuring. I would also make sure to set a time that you, your manager and the CNA can sit down together and discuss the situation. If I were you I would take the initiative to bring it up first with your manager and maybe have a discussion. Pre-empt her so I doesn't look like you are just trying to CYA but the person willing to take the first step. Finally if you hear her putting you down to another co-worker I would just go right up and insert myself in the conversation. Kill her with kindness and ask what upset her so much she felt she needed to vent to others instead of talking to you. Let her know you are always available to discuss the situation and that you only want the best for your patients. Don't say anything that can be taken badly by the witness, even if you really want to. I think that the best way to deal with a bully is head on. If she has a reputation for this behavior before others will see how professionally you are dealing with it. Hang in there.