CNA personalities ... revisited

[LaterAlligator]

I was just remembering how much I loved this thread from a while ago:

I'm sure we have all run into every one of these people at our jobs!

The Martyr- Anytime this CNA does the tiniest little thing that's not on her assignment, she has to roll her eyes and announce it to everyone, thereby making what could have been a pleasant surprise for someone else into a reason for them to feel inadequate.

The Nag- This person does everything by the book. She is annoying to work with because she lectures everyone on the way you're supposed to be doing things... even if you ARE doing them right, she still brings it up for no reason.

The Hysterical One- These people go ballistic over everything. They could have the easiest assignment in the whole building working with the best crew and everything going swimmingly and they will still find some reason to panic irrationally about what they have left to do.

The Workhorse- This CNA busts her butt doing everything for everybody and is constantly offering to do other people's work. But she would rather die than have to ask anyone else for a favor and so she is easily taken advantage of.

The Lazy One- This person doesn't bother to do anything beyond the minimum. To them, mouthcare, repositioning, and toileting more than once a shift are all optional. After her assignment has been "finished" she sits down and pretends to do paperwork, leaving her coworkers to answer call lights and fend for themselves.

The Boss- This person thinks that the only way to give good, thorough care is HER way. She's very bossy and if you don't do everything the way she likes it, she tattles on you.

The *****- Someone who is gloomy, aloof, or crabby all the time for no apparent reason. Either way, she seems miserable to be there. Working with her is no fun unless you're a part of her clique.

The Headless Chicken- Another aggravating person to work with. She means well, but she can't get by without someone bailing her out. This type of CNA is often ditzy and forgetful too. Every day is like her first day on the job.

Love 'em! Now that I've passed the 1 year mark, I've gotta add a few of my own:

The Lifer - this is the aide that's been certified for 30 years and at your facility since it was built. She's got absolutely no aversion to germs left, and will change wet briefs bare handed and let residents kiss her on the mouth. Calls every resident Mama or Gramma. If you're on her good side, she'll warn you before she goes out for her umpteenth smoke break of the shift. Invariably has a scratchy smoker's voice and grown-out perm/bleach. Can be great or terrible to work with, depending on how she feels about you.

The Gonna-Be - these fall into two categories: the ones that are actually working toward their goals (ie going to school) and those who just talk about them. Incessantly. The ones that are in school are fine; sure they may ditch their responsibilities rarely to go watch a procedure or help with one, but normally they're very conscientious. The going-nowhere-Gonna-Bes will talk your ear off for all 8 hours about how much money they're going to make as a Doctorate Level Pharmacist (or fill in the blank) and how smart they are for deciding to be that, without actually ever doing a single thing to make it happen. If you can't tell which one your coworker is, check for textbooks and flashcards in front of them when they're in the breakroom.

Anyone else got more to add?

[yousoldtheworld]

The Teflon - The flaky aide that NOTHING STICKS TO. They commit serious errors regularly (and make it clear that they don't care), they miss more work than anyone else, and they can't get along with anyone, but somehow remain employed with no real punishments. Meanwhile, other aides who normally do a decent job get hammered for the slightest mistake. I work with the biggest teflon I've ever seen! haha.

Now I'm trying to figure out what my coworkers might classify me as. I used to be a Workhorse, but after being taken advantage of for so long, I finally snapped and don't let people take advantage of me any longer. I still work hard, though. And I am perfectly happy to help the people who actually work and will help me in return when I need it. DOes that mean I'm a ****horse?

[interceptinglight, CNA]

I've decided to be The Invisible Woman. I do my job, I don't gripe and complain about the other employees or file reports on them, I don't try to pawn my shifts off on anyone else nor do I offer to take anyone else's shift, I stock rooms that run out of supplies.....I leave no trace behind, except the residents who love me because I take care of them with kindness. Other than that I call no attention to myself....the result is that the nurses listen to me when I report a change in a resident's condition, and the other CNA's like working with me.

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

I was just remembering how much I loved this thread from a while ago:

Love 'em! Now that I've passed the 1 year mark, I've gotta add a few of my own:

The Lifer - this is the aide that's been certified for 30 years and at your facility since it was built. She's got absolutely no aversion to germs left, and will change wet briefs bare handed and let residents kiss her on the mouth. Calls every resident Mama or Gramma. If you're on her good side, she'll warn you before she goes out for her umpteenth smoke break of the shift. Invariably has a scratchy smoker's voice and grown-out perm/bleach. Can be great or terrible to work with, depending on how she feels about you.

The Gonna-Be - these fall into two categories: the ones that are actually working toward their goals (ie going to school) and those who just talk about them. Incessantly. The ones that are in school are fine; sure they may ditch their responsibilities rarely to go watch a procedure or help with one, but normally they're very conscientious. The going-nowhere-Gonna-Bes will talk your ear off for all 8 hours about how much money they're going to make as a Doctorate Level Pharmacist (or fill in the blank) and how smart they are for deciding to be that, without actually ever doing a single thing to make it happen. If you can't tell which one your coworker is, check for textbooks and flashcards in front of them when they're in the breakroom.

Anyone else got more to add?

Rarely? This happens more often than you think! Especially if they work part-time or casual.

And I work with someone who is a Lifer- she's everything you mentioned AND she draws blood and accuchecks in the dark- without gloves!

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

The Suppository: This person is always up your butt!

You can't do anything for your residents when you work with this person because The Suppository badgers you for help with her people all day long and won't help you with your 2-assists until she's sucked up all of your time. And heaven forbid she do *anything* for someone that's not HERS that day.

[JDZ344]

This might be a little mean but here goes anyway:

The talkative one: who will spend all day chatting and avoiding doing anything else. She stands at the nurses station chatting up the clerk whilst you bust your ass or is hiding in a room gossiping.

The constant complainer: who gripes and moans to you about how X nurse is so awful and won't help them to do anything. She always finds something to complain about. And if you're unable to drop what you're doing RIGHT NOW, she complains about you to anyone who will listen.

[CNA2day]

I love these!

[kserasera]

I think I'm the workhorse & the ****. I work and work until I can't take it anymore and then I become the **** because I'm so miserable being there.

[JDZ344]

I want to add:

The martyr: Is a PITA. They think that they are so hard done by and Holy. They usually say they haven't "had a break allll day" (although are caught scoffing in the break room at various intervals).

[*4!#6]

Omg I can see myself in these and my coworkers. I work with a "Hysterical One" and while it sucks when I'm working, it's funny to think about it now!! We also have a few "Teflons."