CNA'S working in nursing homes?

allnurses Guide · Nov 29, 2013

Well, there is the potential for drama in any workplace.

The key is to keep your nose out of it.

If you are looking for the perfect, drama-free place, you may never find it.

Just some things this post got me thinking about:

If you find yourself smack-dab in the middle of a gossip session, contribute nothing... and I mean it. Even if you agree or feel this burning urge to contribute your two cents...

just keep your mouth shut...

And remain neutral.

People who engage in hurtful gossip are not to be trusted. They will take your words, twist them and spread them hither, thither and yon. They will deny anything they said and let you take a beating.

Do not talk about your private life and if you do (for the sake of friendliness and politeness) just keep it superficial.

You don't need to share everything!

Anything you say or say you do can, and will be, used against you by those who love keep the gossip mill grinding and thrive on churning out drama.

So to sum up about gossip: it creates a great deal of workplace drama. The best way to avoid it is to not contribute to it.

Ignore the Drama Queen Saint of the workplace.

There are those people who love to draw attention to themselves, compare workloads, look for "unfairness" and like to be a victim. These are usually the people who like to play martyr, heave a great sigh and declare how they are hardest working aides in world.

No one is more dedicated!

Honestly, this can get so ridiculous as to be funny. Take a deep breath, consider it a source of secret amusement for yourself and don't give them the attention they seek.

Carry on.

Ignore The Super Aide.

Super Aide is the greatest, smartest, bestest aide ever. Everything you do is wrong or not as good as Super Aide's work. Super Aide lets everyone know that she could do her job, your job, the nurse's job, the housekeeper's job... the President of the United States' job easily.

Again, don't let yourself get pulled into a battle with this person.

Certainly, don't let this person affect your self-esteem. It's almost as though they are trying to suck out your confidence and so that they can have some... because they really don't have any.

It's a front. It's pathetic.

Remember that because the next time they come after you, like they are Keeper of All Things Perfect, over something stupid-- trust me-- it won't affect you near so much.

They will also be disappointed in you lack of emotional response.

Don't let your frustration/anger lead you down the road of pettiness.

Taking care of vulnerable people is not the time to be petty.

So... Judy isn't going to help Sue change her heavy resident because Sue didn't help Judy make her beds this morning.

Um... no...

This the worst kind of drama, in my opinion, because the drama is now directly affecting the innocent people who are dependent on the care we provide. The care we provide requires us putting our hurt feelings aside, sucking it up, being the bigger person, remembering what the heck we are there for and working as part of a team-- whether we feel like it or not.

OP, I'm not saying you are doing any of these things, but I'm sure these are some of the things you have come across and your post got me to thinking.

I'm just saying that we cannot necessarily control/avoid drama anywhere, but we certainly can control how we respond to it.

In a nutshell, the answer is to not feed the beast and be prepared to deal with it anywhere.

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Nov 29, 2013

There is drama everywhere, no matter where you work, what field you are in, etc. Just have to be mature about it, know how to handle situations and people professionally, and know how to not be in the middle of it.

Filipino RN · Nov 30, 2013

It's really true when they say, "Ignorance is bliss". :)

mzsuccess · Dec 7, 2013

Thanks everyone, I'm torn between two jobs right now. One is in nursing and the other retail and though the retail is less stressful,nursing is where I want to focus. But the place I work is so screwed up. People lie on you, they're always almost fights, we had so many DON's and administrators and our new DON, she's very rude..if I even come to her about an issue she catch a nasty attitude. I'm in nursing school and can't handle two jobs. The nursung pays better and is literally 5 mins from my house. But the drama is overwhelming. I see so many people lose their jobs over stupid things, that why i hold on to the retail. I get talked to bad every single day by this one resident who is prejudiced and nothing get done by it. Its no teamwork and the LPNS have their favorite and gain up on the other CNA's. I was in tears yesterday when I left there.

quirkystudent · Dec 7, 2013

I love nursing home work and yes every one of them have their share of drama starters and the fuelers. The way I stay sane is traveling. Agency work is nice because if you are hating working in a facility you can just request to go somewhere else. Also keep to yourself and only speak to coworkers about work related things. Keep a smile on your face even if it's forced. Do your job and do it well. If you see a person who is a drama starter or fueler steer clear from them as much as possible.

Also agency work pays very well. People say the only reason someone works agency is because they can't get a job anywhere else but that's not true for me. I chose agency work because I like the diversity and control over my hours, shifts, and facilities I work in. It's a very flexible job and works for me since I have two young children.

liketheairport · Dec 8, 2013

Thanks everyone, I'm torn between two jobs right now. One is in nursing and the other retail and though the retail is less stressful...

Not necessarily. I've worked at stores where it's drama-filled and the owner or managers seem to be in a perpetual state of hating the world, hating their job, or trying to feel superior. In either case, it'll be stressful. Hopefully, you'll be able to find another job soon.

That being said, just focus on work while at work. Keep your mouth shut (which also keeps your nose clean, so to speak) and don't participate in gossip.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Dec 8, 2013

Every occupation has drama...it's the living condition.

Let your work and professionalism do the talking...it works MOST of the time, if not ALL of the time. :)