I recently became a certified nursing assistant, and quickly found a job working in skilled nursing/rehabilitation for the elderly. I was very fortunate because I had quite a few job openings available to choose from. I have been working for a few weeks now for a major company, and have become very disappointed with the behavior of the other nurses. Before deciding on which job I wanted to choose, I wanted to get all the information I could on my company, after doing some research I found a lot of lawsuits against them for medical malpractices, but I met the staff, met the residents, and thought well, if my family members recently passed away, I'd be filled with a lot of sadness and anger, and I'd want someone to blame, so I'd blame the people who were supposed to be providing care. I also understand, that there are a lot of people just trying to get money, and suing for a medical malpractice is a good way to do it.
Before taking the job, I had to meet the residents and understand their needs, I guess they wanted to make sure it was something I could handle before taking the job. I of course, instantly fell in love, and put all the lawsuits in the back of my head, and took the job. The first two days were very stressful because as I'm sure everyone knows, everything is on a need to know basis so I didn't really know the residents needs very much, but they've been putting me with the same residents everyday, and after getting to know them and getting organized, it's been much easier. I'm a very fast learner and very fast paced, and very detail oriented, and organized so being a CNA has been very easy for me. I've been getting my work done so quickly the past few days, I've been noticing a lot of things that really irritate me.
1. The line..."that's not my room." a call light will go off, and the other nurses say,"it's not my room," "it's not my assignment," or the wonderful line from the lpn or rn, "that's not my job."
2. If a resident doesn't want their food, the nurses will eat it. from my understanding we're not supposed to take any gifts, or money, and under policy we're not supposed to take their food.
3. Putting an annoying resident in their room, and than locking the brakes on the wheelchair.
4. Discussing resident issues with people who don't need to know.
These are all little things that have just been getting under my skin, but I've just been putting it off. But the other night, I was working, put everyone to bed, finished my checks, did everything that needed to get done, and decided to just walk around to see if anyone needed help, or if any call lights were going off. and I walked down the hall, and heard some yelling. So I decided to see what was going on, I saw a group of 3 CNAs taunting a resident who had a heart attack, who could barely speak, and has very limited movement with her arms and legs. They were picking at her sweater, poking her, and tugging at her hair. She's known to be very combative, but when I saw that, I had a feeling that the reason she was so combative was that she didn't trust the other CNAs. I was so disgusted. I spoke with her at the end of my shift and told her I was going to be watching everything, and she started to cry.
I had her the next day, and she was very pleasant with me, no biting, nothing. Which further makes me believe, that the issue lies with the CNAs. Is this technically considered abuse? Is this normal for CNAs to be basically **** on by the RNs? Is it normal for CNAs to not want to help other CNAs, because it's "not their room?" I got into this to help people, and I do the best I can to help all my residents, and I feel I do a pretty damn good job. Any advice for a new CNA?
The three CNA's need to be reported, that is abuse. If you have doubts, imagine if the patient in question was your family member. Many people see a nursing home as an easy way to make a living, they don't care about their jobs. Not all jobs are created equal, this sounds like a nasty facility.
It's sad that it usually takes newbies and students to report stuff like this. It's so true what Fuzzy stated, once you report them (and you did the right thing) and it's found out that it was you, you will be blacklisted for the rest of your time there by them. Sad to say but it's true. Don't you dare back down! As as you stay firm and don't let anybody know that you're bothered by them or the situation then you will be fine. The minute you show that you're intimidated they will slither right in there and make life hell for you. By you showing that it doesn't bother you or that you're struggling to get your work done they will leave you alone. I've done it where they tried to do that stuff to me when I reported abuse. They tried to hard to make my job hell, but I kept at it, and kept a straight face, always smiling saying hello to everyone that eventually they stopped because they saw that it didn't bother me one bit. Sure, I had my days from hell, but I NEVER showed it! You can do the same, and good luck!!!
Wow!! You need to have this reported. This sounds like a b um facility full of bum people! You'll find one anywhere and they all seem the same- a LTC full of reject nurses and aides who are in the wrong career. There should be some type of whistleblowing ability without fear of consequences on your behalf. It IS your responsibility to report any abuse that you see and those girls mocking the resident/picking/poking/hair tugging is 100% abuse. Also, shoving the resident in their room and locking the wheels is abuse. Sounds like the nurses are violating HIPPA with their chitchat. This place sounds like it needs to clean out the closet with it's employees. If you do nothing, nothing will change and the abuse will continue. Check out information from your state for reporting abuse anonymously be it through the state, through APS or whatever channel you need to go through.
I know many nurses and CNAs who are excellent at what they do and they work in the LTC setting, they prefer it over the hospital. They don't enjoy the fast paced environment that you have in the hospitals. I certainly WOULDN'T assume that all nurses and/or CNA's are rejects that are in the LTC facility because I know many nurses and aides in the hospitals who are rejects. I don't think that's what you meant when you wrote that. But I think you were basically pointing at the people who are just like the aides in questions, and I agree they are rejects!
I know many nurses and CNAs who are excellent at what they do and they work in the LTC setting, they prefer it over the hospital. They don't enjoy the fast paced environment that you have in the hospitals. I certainly WOULDN'T assume that all nurses and/or CNA's are rejects that are in the LTC facility because I know many nurses and aides in the hospitals who are rejects. I don't think that's what you meant when you wrote that. But I think you were basically pointing at the people who are just like the aides in questions, and I agree they are rejects!
I started off in LTC and met some of the BEST aides and nurses there. This facility in particular sounds like it has a collection of "rejects" for participating in such behavior and allowing it to go on. It's reputation certainly speaks volumes. These places tend to take on and adhere to people who shouldn't be in the field and end up having maybe 2 or 3 quality employees who actually care about the residents and their careers. (Those are the ones who also get abused) The state needs to clean house and they won't as long as they don't know this behavior is happening.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The original poster has not responded in several weeks. I can only wonder about the outcome of her reporting. It would be wonderful if he/she returned to provide us with an update of what ultimately transpired.
I hear you - you was impressed that a large company made special time for you to impress you as into that you fit in and was the right to be considered for their place of employment - right? You have discovered and like the residence-your patients - business is about buisness. That is why we matter - we and the patients. We know the score yet we do what we must.
The multiple issues you mention - they are across the board. While you are a new CNA a recommend that you keep you nose to the grindstone and find a nurse that is a good mentor.
Accussation of neglect and abuse can be of coorifice met with solid ground/however your statements of malpratice - you don't know enough to even know. Find a nurse you trust and is respected to be your mentor.
pca_85
424 Posts
The three CNA's need to be reported, that is abuse. If you have doubts, imagine if the patient in question was your family member. Many people see a nursing home as an easy way to make a living, they don't care about their jobs. Not all jobs are created equal, this sounds like a nasty facility.