Cussed out and disprespected by CNA

[tattooednursie, LVN]

First off, let me start by saying, I am blessed with a group of *mostly* very good CNA's. We are a team, and when I am on I am respected as a team leader, and the respect is returned to the hard working CNA's. I normally do not have this issue.

This situation began when I was working night shift. It was a little after 0500, and I was preparing to do my 0600 med pass. A CNA (who was due to work at 0600) called in sick. Our policy is that call in's are 2 hours in advance. I understand that not everyone wakes up 2 hours before their shift starts, and sometimes you wake up sick. I was not going to tell her she could not call in, but I did state, "It's 0500, it will be hard to find a replacement at this time, but I'll try." She went on ranting and raving. "I don't care what time it is. I woke up sick, and I'm not comming in sick!" Among other ramblings. I again explained that I understood, and I would try to find someone. Although she was raising her voice at me, I did not raise my voice at her. I was going to let the situation go, but she called back 5 minutes later, and cussed me out with, "You're so (beep)ing rude!!! what's with this 0500 (Beep)!!! I can't believe how (beep)ing rude you are!!! I'm reporting you to the DON! What part of I'm sick don't you (beep)ing understand!!! I never (beep)ing call in sick" She was practically screaming in my ear. . . and as you guessed the main (beep) is the four letter wourd that rhymes with truck, and this IS a person who frequently calls in.

The first conversation would not have bothered me, but the fact that she felt that it was okay to speak to me in the manner that she did was very wrong. I did write it up, and it went to the DON.

The next day, she appologized to me in a "Let's get this over with." Manner, and obviously expected me to appologize to her. All I said back to her at that time was, "I am sorry I made you upset, but you cannot speak to me the way you did."

Then she went on and on about how she didn't need a lecture, how she never has had this problem with any other nurse, and how I was in the wrong by stating that, "It's 0500."

Sorry, but I don't feel that I was in the wrong here. The only mistake I made at that point (just trying to be an honest person) I let her know that I wrote the situation up.

She then informed me, "Oh well, it will just go into the trash anyway."

At that point I walked away from the situation. It was on my friday. After a couple of days off I return to work, several people had come to me saying that the said CNA was going around saying that, "Oh the DON ripped it up, and it went in the trash. She understands that I'm not taking orders from a 24 year old."

I was pretty hot when I was hearing this. A) 24 or not, I am still the nurse. B)I don't give orders . . .I ask, not tell. C) None of the other CNA's seem to have a problem with me. I have even been told by several CNA's that I am very easy to work with.

I soon found out that what was being said was not true. She is simply trying to make herself look good, and convince other CNA's that it is okay to speak to me like that. Well!!! It isn't working.

My solution to the issue right now is to not let her drag me down to her level. I really don't speak to her right now unless my job requires, but I still feel horribly tense, and I really want to put her in her place (which I know is not the best of all ideas right now).

We share a few common friends, and I'm thinking she's going to try to stir the pot for me, and in a way she already has.

I just want to know if anyone else has delt with a CNA like this.

Any insight is appriciated.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

The call in policy is the call in policy. I can also understand people who wake up beyond the call in time and feel sick, but it still violates the policy. Then to add insult to injury she calls back to cuss you out. That undoubtedly deserved the write up. Now, as far as her assurnace that it would just end up in the trash -i believe that to be delusional. Any write up of failure to follow policy - especially if it's an attendance issue with a known attendance problem personnel - is certainly not going to be dismissed. If it is, then perhaps actions need to be taken one step higher.

Your age has no bearing on the situation. Although i am guessing that CNA is older than you and tried to treat all of the younger nurses like they are children. Don't back down. You are in the right.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Lemme guess...LTC?

BTDT, got the T shirt. I started off when I was younger than 24 and today I still look 24ish, so it is hard at times. BUT....things have worked their way out.

Its all going to depend on how your DON handles this and if they back you up.

Don't back down. Be firm, be fair with everyone. Walk away (can't do that with someone one the phone) when they talk to you like that and tell them you will be back in a minute when they calm down. If not...that is a write up.

Now...with the call in. I just take the calls, I let them know.."jeesh...its kinda late to call in so you might get into trouble with the DON, but I hope you feel better soon" That is my standard one liner. When they decide to call in..sick or not, you probably aren't going to change their minds anyway, so don't waste your breath.

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

Some people love drama and it appears this CNA is one of them. Dont let her get to you and also hold your ground. Just make pointed statements and leave it at that. If she continues on then tell her "We can take it up with the DON if you like". Also bad energy in the work place generally breeds more bad energy with other staff. Dont let this ride too long and get out of hand. Schedule with the DON and discuss it so it can be stifled now not later.

[ICU11]

Cussing someone out is not acceptable in any situation no matter who anyone is. Man, I hope the CNA got in trouble. I can't believe someone would add the stress of calling in sick AND then call in and add drama. Wow.

[BSN_after_40]

In LTC settings now a days, it is all too common. It is so hard to find good help and when we do have a good worker, no matter if they are a nurse or CNA, we burn them out by having them cover for those that call in all the time. I have seen so many great workers end up with back injuries or so run down they get sick. Mean while, trying to cover those that tend to call in on weekends, holidays, night shifts, or when ever the worst possible time to replace them gets old pretty fast! My favorite excuse for a morning call in was a woman who couldn't find her bra! I thought I was being punked at first but she was serious! I told her that was not an excuse and I expected her to come in, bra or no bra! She came with a bra on and didn't speak to me for a couple days.

Hold your ground with this CNA. I can almost guarantee it won't be the last time you have to deal with this type of behavior. I am sure the calling in frequently will catch up with her and she will pay the piper. Good luck in the future.

[tattooednursie, LVN]

Thank you all. I appreciate your support on this issue.

[msrosebud28]

I have dealt with CNA's like this and even worse ones who eat you up to your face and are stabbing you in your back. I know they have a hard job in LTC they are our back bones. But our backbones can't eat their heads or legs and still be as effective with all parts intact. Nursing is team work and trying to be understanding. I started out as an LPN with 2 med techs who were 40ish and 50ish and yes they resented me and my 25 yr old self. In nursing you develop this back bone or you get eaten. I also have learned that some cultures are stronger than others and you just learn to adjust to them. I didn't know how to take some people at first when they yelled or talked disrespectfully to me. You just have to learn how to come right back at them tactfully with a smile. and as long as you have your a$$ covered who cares about the rest(survival mode!)!

[scootertrash nurse]

you know how the rumor mill work i say talk with the don to see what really happened and to give her or him you side of the story in person

[babe48076]

No, you are not wong, CNA or not the way she spoke to you was unacceptable. If she was truly sick she would not be worried about any comments that you made about the time. It sounds like she was calling off just because, and she felt guilty. The profanity was unneccessary and inappropriate. I would report her just because of her mouth. You did not raise your tone or curse. You kept the conversation professional. I just can't believe she had the nerve to call back. She wasn't feeling that sick to use that much energy to curse you out.

[tishirajan]

As a former CNA I can honestly say that you were certainly in the right. I seems to me that this CNA is the type of person that has issues with just about anyone that doesn't see eye to eye with her or anything that she feels is undeserving towards her. These people can find just about anything to argue with and perpetuate the situation with anything they can pull out of their a$$. I've known people like that. They would argue and gripe about anything. Policy is policy and you were right on by telling her so.

I've worked with nurses that were several years younger than myself and I never had a problem with the age thing. As far as I'm concerned, they earned their degree and title of nurse and deserve the respect that is due. You are much more mature than this person because you handled the situation in a professional manner. The DON probably knows that this CNA has an attitude problem and takes what she says with a grain of salt.

Let her stir the pot! As my grandad used to say, "If you stir in s***, you're gonna get all over you." :wink2: You are the nurse and she's the CNA, she needs to know her place and get over herself IMHO.

This will blow over and she'll still be a pain in the butt, but probably somewhere else...hopefully. As I've said before, it don't take all kinds, you just got 'em.

[retiredlady]

Gee, I know if I ever had done that, I would be fired. Unacceptable. Keep strong!!