So, I made a thread a week or so ago about getting CNAs to do their job. Well, tonight has really made me mad.
A little background info for those who don't know... I'm 21.. a nurse of only 3 months now, and working as an LPN at the same LTC for 2 months now that I worked at for 2 years as a CNA. I've worked along side most of the CNAs there, and I've had trouble getting the CNAs to do what they're supposed to (i.e. vitals at the right time..etc).. but after some advice It was getting better... then comes tonight.
My shift is from 2 - 10. I was working tonight with an RN who had been an LPN at this facility for a few years and now is a new RN of maybe a year. He receives a phone call that is a CNA call off for midnight shift. This is at 6pm. We are allready short staffed.. with 5 CNAs and making the best of it.. yet we know that one of them has got to stay to cover for the next shift. 3 of the CNAs are still in HS and have school, so they can not stay.. the DON stated this.. which I understand. The 2 left that are the only 2 that can stay are noticeably unhappy about this, but I figure they would discuss it amongst themselves. It's 9:25 pm (an hour before my shift ends) and one of the 2 eligible CNAs asks me if I want to go smoke with her. She goes out to her car to get her cigarettes, while I tell the RN working with me that I am gonna step outside. This particular CNA comes back and says "There is a lady here allready from night shift that agrees to clock in 30 minutes early because I need to go.. something about her kids". I say "Noone can leave until I know for a fact that someone is staying. I dont care who stays, but someone has to".. so she states "I can tell you right now that I can't stay". Well, that put me aback a bit so she says "Can I leave?"... I was soo tired and stressed because the nurse before me left me half of her workload for this shift, I just simply state "I don't know".. because I seriously didn't know what to do. I never thought someone would look me in my face and tell me that they're not going to do something. So, I step outside to smoke.. thinking she was following me as planned.. I come back in and realize she is gone and the CNA from midnights had clocked in for her. I am pissed at this point and the poor CNA left over is automatically the one to stay. Regardless, this girl (the one who left) knew what she was doing and knew that if she could leave she would get out of staying early. I feel she took advantage of my new role and lack of courage, I guess. The RN was there by the computer putting vitals in, he never did chime in.. but I hope he heard it because later another RN came in and I told her about it and she mentioned that she was gonna mention abandonment for this CNA that left to the higher ups. I'm so mad right now. I dont know if she took "I don't know" as "I don't care" or if she just blatantly ignored me, but either way she is in trouble and I have a feeling this particular CNA will tell them I said yes.. as i NEVER said yes.. but i didnt say no.. I was shocked and paniced and not sure what to do.. I did however say that noone could leave and she rudely stated "Well, I'll tell you right now I can't stay". So, I let her intimidate me.. and now I will probably have to pay, as she is sooo vindictive and will tell everyone that I lied and did tell her she could leave. UGH... why cant people just accept that they are in the Healthcare field, and if someone has to stay then someone has to stay.. instead of making it so hard on me and others that have to be the bullies and make them do something they KNOW they are bound to have to do.. as do nurses. GRRRRRR. My vent.. any advice or similar experiences?