There is a CNA on my floor who graduated a year ago, and is very sharp at times (much appreciated), however has been unable to find a job as RN. The timing was bad, as the economy just turned as she graduated. However, she refuses LTC, and had refused some other options initially (wanting hospital med-surg only, and only full time). Now there are really no jobs like this for new grads. She still won't consider LTC. So she continues to work on our floor as CNA, perhaps holding out for a turn in the economy??
She has become increasingly difficult to work with at times. We work evenings. I have asked her to take blood sugars at 'off' times, and been argued with ('What for' 'for this' 'they dont need it now' 'yes they do', ect), among other things. During codes, I have had her tell ME what to do. She sits at the desk most of the night chatting with the RNs (the couple) that like to sit at the desk most of the time. She has told the (new) charge how to staff. She asked another RN to do turns at a specific time, the RN said later, and when the RN was ready, she said well I dont have time now "you should have done it when I came to you". She punches out 11:23 on the dot (and leaves the unit quite earlier than that), so for those 7 minutes (till 11:30, we do the last minute things ourselves while trying to tie our ends up. Quite a few patients have said they asked her for xyz (meds, turn, ect) and I never hear about it till later when they are upset. Ect, ect.
I do not feel I can go to my mgr about this. I do know eventually she will be getting some tye of position, I just want to know how to deal with this in the meantime. Any suggestions will be appreciated. For my part I have been a lot less friendly and more directive straightforwardly. I also fear this person spreads 'negative gossip' with people that dont cowtow to them.
I am aware that shemust be frustrated, and I sympathize, however it gets difficult at times to work with this person.
Is it possible she didn't pass her boards? That may be one reason for her "pickiness" on jobs.
But I agree, I would speak with management. That is if you think management will do something about it. It might be worthwhile for her to switch to another unit.
Thanks all for your replies. I actually just tried to call the asst nurse mgr, but she was out today. I'd rather speak to her informally first, and get a sense of how this may be taken. For the most part, I think mgt here takes a dimmer view of 'complaintants' than the complaint, which is why I am hesitant.
Is there any tips on how I can specifically deal with this person one-on-one? I find three things hard: the HER delgating to ME (or arguing about a requested task), her not telling me of a patient request (that multiple pts have mentioned, not just one)-- she denies it when I have asked 'oh they never said anything', and three: the negativity when I am working as though somehow I am a workhorse when I should be sitting on my butt and being smarter about things somehow (like oh nights can put that specialty mattress on, ect), like she and a couple of other nurses are-- and if they see I am busy dont offer to help...I hope you get what I mean.
Sorry to bump this again, but any tips on dealing with this co-worker? I do try and saty busy and focus on my work, but a few things I do need help with (and dont want to be second-guessed or argued with-- they are simple tasks after all) and also I really dont want this person to delegate to ME. Thanks for any advice,
I will try to talk to mgt about it when they are in.
I have someone like this on my floor. She is an LPN, was for years, then our facility changed the role for LPN's, had to get certified in IV meds, or something like that (way before my time). This woman decided rather than certify she would just stay on in the role of a patient care technician. This would be fine, except that she constantly oversteps her bounds. Here are some of the things that she does:
-She writes shift notes on each patient (uses the "comments" section on the ADLS form the techs fill out) in which she documents things like IV fluid/rate, diet, pain score, etc. Which would be fine, except that half the time she is not right (ie: "patient on tele, NSR" when patient is actually in a-fib!)
-At one point, I had a patient in my care pass away. He was a hospice patient, and the death was expected but the family was upset because they had stepped out to go to dinner, and when they came back he had passed. Rather than say something therapeutic, such as "He went quietly, and is at peace now." she told the family "We probably gave him some medication to slow his respirations, and that what caused him to pass." (Totally not true. The only medication this patient was on was a stool softener!)
-Another time, again, a patient I was caring for: I started IV fluids because the patient's sodium was low. She went and told the family "We started IV fluids to improve his renal function." His urine output was great, probably a little too great, and that's why his Na was low!
Moral of the story... I always check up and see what this tech has written on my patients, and tell her to change it if it is wrong. I also try to accompany her into the room at any time when there are family members present to stop her from saying anything dumb. Management is aware, and has spoken to her, but she needs constant supervision, and I think this CNA of yours does as well. Good luck, and sorry for the super-long post!
Yes, you are right, Sue, probably mgt needs to say something, I just hope they do.
And Tornado, yes, it is similar in the sense that she is acting in the role of RN here, VERY similar...thanks for letting me see this aspect from your experiences.
A CNA who needs constant supervision will be an RN who needs constant supervision. The details expressed here need to be brought to the attention of those who can do something about this CNA. Personally, I wouldn't want a worker around who thinks it is ok to walk out on her patients.
Also, any advice on how I should approach this with management?
"Hey, x has been a real problem lately. She seems to resent being an aide and is trying to direct care. Now, I know she is licensed as an RN, but here, she's an aide, and this is creating a lot of problems. Any suggestions on how to deal with this?"
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kcochrane
1,465 Posts
Is it possible she didn't pass her boards? That may be one reason for her "pickiness" on jobs.
But I agree, I would speak with management. That is if you think management will do something about it. It might be worthwhile for her to switch to another unit.