CNA's in control

Nurses General Nursing

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I am in a nightmarish situation where the CNA's are in control. The worst night was when a patient had to go to the bathroom. The CNA demanded that I handle it because she was on the phone to the police to break up a drunken party (mostly because of her BROTHER!) at her house. She also got at least two other CNA's to gang up on me because I was asking her not to use her cell phone, especially not in patient's rooms. She began screaming at me, shaking her finger in my face, shaking a clipboard in my face, and screaming "Get out of my business!!!" She also leaves early with a couple of other CNA's to go to her second job. She is using the term "harassment" to describe my simple wish for her to do her job, and she lies, a LOT.

What can I do?

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

Wow! That is so unacceptable. What do you do in such a situation? Do you just let her go on with that behaviour? I would talk with her one on one and if that does not help it, I would talk to your DON. Can you write her up? I would concider that too.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

moving thread to general nursing discussion forum for member discussion and support to member in how best to handle the situation that she finds herself in. member needs some support and guidance.

please no bash8.giffights.

(respectful posting, please)...after i move it.

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

Seems that they don't respect you...I worked in a nursing home while I was an LPN and my CNA's were wonderful. Yes I had to set limits a few times but doing it camly in private alowing them to think about their choices etc helped a lot. We as the charge nurses had the authority to send another staff person home if they were inappropriate with a pt or drunk or something (did happen a few times while I was there) and they wouldn't be able to return to work until they had a meating with the DON and the nurse who sent them home.

In your situation it sounds like you need someone above you to step in and back you up because whatever you're trying now is not working. Ask for help if you don't receive it tell your boss you can't work in these conditions. There is so many jobs out there for us nurses there is no reason to stay in one like this.

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Specializes in MICU for 4 years, now PICU for 3 years!.

hahaha.... sounds like the floor i did my externship on.... good luck!

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The CNA's are in control? Do you mean they act like they are in control or think they are in control? Where I work the CNA's report directly to us, the nurses. Also it is against company policy to use cell phones or land lines (for personal buisiness) during working hours.

If they disobey your directives then take it to the next person in the chain of command and keep moving up until you get the situation solved.

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Seems that they don't respect you...I worked in a nursing home while I was an LPN and my CNA's were wonderful. Yes I had to set limits a few times but doing it camly in private alowing them to think about their choices etc helped a lot. We as the charge nurses had the authority to send another staff person home if they were inappropriate with a pt or drunk or something (did happen a few times while I was there) and they wouldn't be able to return to work until they had a meating with the DON and the nurse who sent them home.

In your situation it sounds like you need someone above you to step in and back you up because whatever you're trying now is not working. Ask for help if you don't receive it tell your boss you can't work in these conditions. There is so many jobs out there for us nurses there is no reason to stay in one like this.

Very good Larry... He has the right idea here. There are many times when it is worth you putting in time explaining and conversing with a coworker to dissapate a problem. This sounds like you have to take the bull by the horns and act like a charge nurse. The next time you tell her to do something and she either ignores you or becomes belligerent with you, Do please ask her if she understands the meaning of the work insubordination. If she does not, have it ready to hand to her explaining that if she does not comply with your directives that she will be forced to leave the shift and return only after speaking with DON. I would also speak to the DON or nursing supervisr ahead of time explaining this problem and working out an across the board plan of action with them. Until you take charge of the situation, you will have nothing but disrespect from them and it will eventually push you away from that job. This can all be done with swiftness and straightforwardness, no emotion involved Do not let her know that she can shake your cage. Best to you.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

Wow! I'm sorry you have to deal with her! I never went through a problem like that. Please let us know what you do about it and the outcome.

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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.
I am in a nightmarish situation where the CNA's are in control. The worst night was when a patient had to go to the bathroom. The CNA demanded that I handle it because she was on the phone to the police to break up a drunken party (mostly because of her BROTHER!) at her house. She also got at least two other CNA's to gang up on me because I was asking her not to use her cell phone, especially not in patient's rooms. She began screaming at me, shaking her finger in my face, shaking a clipboard in my face, and screaming "Get out of my business!!!" She also leaves early with a couple of other CNA's to go to her second job. She is using the term "harassment" to describe my simple wish for her to do her job, and she lies, a LOT.

What can I do?

Sounds like you need to talk to the nurse manager about this behavior. This is unacceptable. Good luck.

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If this or things like this happen all the time, I would report it now. If this was a one time thing, I would pull the CNA aside and let her know how inappropriate it was adn how upset you were. Sometimes, whether we like it or not, our personal lives interfere with our jobs. Since she was obciously having a family problem, perhaps it would have been better to ask her to step into the breakroom or outside until she had everything straightened out. I've found that sometimes allowing someone to take 30 minutes off the floor ends up saving an hour of drama. Most of the time, other staff is understanding and will pitch in until she is ready to work again.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Yikes..sounds like she needs a kick in the pants. You need to hike up the chain of command. Is there another RN or LPN on the floor...would they be willing to be a witness. And next time she says no to a delegation, say, Did I hear you correctly, you are refusing to do this/that task, because if you are I will have to call the supervisors or write it up.

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You are the RN, you have to take control of the situation. I would report all the CNA's to my supervisor. Give them a verbal warning if the policy of the hospital is violated by using cell phones in patients room. If they continue, I would follow with a written warning. Check the policies at your job.

People will only get away with what we allowed them to.

Good luck

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