cna coworker not very helpful

[TheLegend27]

Im a new cna and Cna coworker doesnt help me, but gets mad when the tables are turned i had to take a patient a shower with assistance of a male or another female if there was no male since that guy tries to grab females hands and put it down on his member.. so i told the nurse and she said i can do that shower alone so i then asked a cna to help me transfer using a lift since he cant get up alone and she said she was busy on someone so she would finish that first then i took the shower chair tied him to the machine all i needed now was assistance since were not allowed to transfer alone and again she ddnt help because that wasnt the correct chair to take showers and i checked and that was the only chair.. so i asked 4 times for help and she refused then i gave up and took him a bed bath and ended up getting in trouble because he always gets a reg shower so i told the administrator that no one was helping me and the cna started saying that I ddnt help.her at all and i was like excuse me but if you dnt wanna help me expect the same back.. and she just left mad but the administrator ddnt listen or make an effort to tell the cna why she ddnt Help me... what do i do next time i work with her im on call so i get placed in diff places and dont now the residents very well its my first cna job ive been there for less than 30 days

[strawberryluv, BSN, RN]

First off, you need to write in complete sentences. It is very irritating and confusing when you write sentence after sentence without a period. It sounds like a run-on sentence in my head and I do not like that.

My advice is to talk to someone in human resources about her. This is something human resources can help you deal with since it is a coworker relations issue. If the administrator doubles as a human resource personnel than find someone who is higher-up than him.

Follow the chain of command and your complaint will go somewhere. If the person who is superior to the administrator won't help

then contact corporate and talk to the CEO. If it doesn't go anywhere from there then, feel free to call your state's health care facility compliance hotline to report unsafe or workplace issues. If they are not providing adequate staff ratios in the nursing home, you can bet the state would do something about that. Where I work, if staffing is not adequate the state will fine my facility.

[jeaniekadinee]

I do not know the full situation with your co-worker, so, if you feel comfortable with talking with him/her, do so. Be civil and see if you both can work something out. If not, as per above, just go through your chain of command. I hope everything will be solved for you. Good luck.

[Carol Austin]

Hey there! :)

First off, Maybe you could have handled the conversation with your co-worker a little bit better? Instead of saying "you didn't help me, so I'm not going to help you" You could try and come together and decide on an action plan. Get into a flow, maybe alternate difficult to transfer residents so *hopefully* you both would be able to come to each others aid when needed. Or something, If your co-worker is willing to talk things over with you!

If not, definitely follow the chain of command. Everyone needs to work together as a team...Best of luck to you, hun!

[Missingyou, CNA]

Let go of what happened in the past with this co-worker.

Always be professional. Don't waste your energy on "well she said, so I said" stuff! Be the better person. Let your supervisors see you as a professional.

Your next shift, whether it be with this coworker or with anyone else, start off by saying something like "I need to give Mr. Smith a shower today and he is a 2 assist. When is a good time for you to help me?" Then work your plan of action around that.

You can also say things like, "I can help you with Mary if you can help me with Alice, ok?"

You will be showing that you are willing to work together and work out a plan to get everything done.

I have always gone into a shift knowing that I have to chart on my 10 residents, but in reality we (my hallmate & I) have 20 residents to care for together. If she has a call light on and I have a few minutes while Bob brushes his teeth, I go and answer the light and she returns the favor.

If they don't return the favor....still continue to be helpful. ..it is what it is and just do the best you can. Don't let others drag you down and ruin your day/week/month...

Communicate, make a plan WITH your co-workers.

[hookyarnandblanket]

I would also caution that if either of you is caring for a 2x assist and either of you refuses to help the other because of whatever grievance is between you both, you are not only jeopardizing the safety of yourself but also your job and the safety and rights of your patient. I work with someone whom I do not enjoy; whether or not I like her is a moot point. If she has someone who is documented as a 2x assist, I help.

I've seen too many CNAs act like their job is an extension of high school. It isn't. Our job is to provide for the safety, care, and comfort of our residents and patients. At some point, we have to set aside our personal opinions of each other, put on our "big kid" underwear and deal with it. The previous poster has given you some excellent, positive advice. It will work.