Did I handle this the right way with my coworker?

[raindrop]

Hi,

For the past couple months, I haven't been putting up with ANY aggressiveness from coworkers.

In the past, these type of folks would burn me out and I would end up depressed and/or quit. But now,

I decided it's best for me to grab the bull by the horns and give them a taste of their own medicine. Since

I'm so new to this approach, I find myself suprised by some of the stuff I am saying back! I am also questioning

my professionalism when I say/do these things. I am so used to "taking it", but that approach never worked, so

this is where I'm at. And so far, I only put one coworker in her place after she tried to rip me to shreds in report.

Ever since then, she is as NICE as can be. But the other night, I had a "issue" with a CNA...

This CNA has an attitude. I am new to nights, and my first night working, one of the nurses asked this CNA is she was OK. She replied hatefully, "Yes I'm OK. WHy do you always ask if I'm ok. If I"m not OK I will tell you" and then

stormed off like she was compltely insulted. My eyes got big. All of the nurses looked at one another in shock, and I sat there and shook my head in disbelief. One nurse replied "Oh Raindrop, that was nothing. That was very mild."

So a few days later, I had my first encounter with her. I was in the middle of trying to start an IV, when she came in and said she needed to change the patien'ts soild bed now and wanted my help. I told her that I will help, but as she can see I am in the middle of something and when I am done, I will come and get her. She didn't like that. A few minutes later, I went to the nurses desk to get her and there she was talking about me. I asked her what was wrong with what I said and she said, "The patient needed changed. It would have taken us 3 minutes to change him, but you made him lay in his mess for 10 minutes."

I nipped it right there by explaning that I am here to help and am here for my patients, but it was very rude of her to expect me to drop what I was doing to help her. I also explanied that the patient had to wait 10 minutes to get cleaned, versus 5 minutes....is not a calamity. She said "Well, that isn't right, but whatever your the RN, your the boss..." I then told her that "I want to get along with her and work well together, but I will not tolerate any attitude." She, of course, ignored me the rest of the night.

Now I'm qustioning if how I handled it was the right way? Mind you, this CNA is notorious for being very difficult. I just wanted to lay my boundaries. I can see her burning ppl out if they allow her. And I don't want that to happen to me. Of course, I'm hoping this won't backfire. Her ignoring me and giving me the cold shoulder isn't acceptable, but I can't make her be nice to me.

Why can't ppl just behave professionally and be nice? Seriously.

[soupnurse56]

It is to bad that her attitude and inappropriate behavior probably stems from her low

self-esteem. It is really draining to feel like you have to choose between what is most critical

for your patient's needs and helping a childish, immature person with low self-esteem that feels

a need to control and boss others arround, that she feels jealous of. Complimenting the good

that she does and not rewarding negative behaviors is a challenge. Also letting her now that

she is member of the team, but you are professionally responsible for the patients under your

watch. It is great that she cares about her patient's personal cares, and to bad that she

can't get help if you are busy.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

It is very difficult to deal with someone who is passive aggressive. You should take her aside and talk to her about what your expectations are with regard to patient care and your relationship with her in order to accomplish the care that is required. She may get better for a while but she is destine to repeat this behavior. You will not be quoted correctly when she tells everyone about this and she will try to make you look like the problem in the situation. You are then going to have to take this up with your manager. Ask her to sit in as the mediator for a meeting between you and the CNA involved. Good luck. I had a problem like this and it did not go away until she quit.

[gloria1234]

I think you are doing the right thing. Stand your ground with her! I use to work in a very tough trauma hospital. We had CNAs like this all over the place. I stood my ground, even took it to the managers. You see, I am the type of worker that will help and do anything for my co-workers, but I don't play that game. I nip it in the butt, right then and there. I say whats on my mind. I never use to be like this. and at first its hard but After awhile we became all friends, And this hospital turn out to be one of the best places i have ever work at. And also, if you are new to the place, this is there way of feeling you out.

[ShayRN]

I actually think you were very nice about the situation. Much nicer than I would be, trust me, lol.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I nip it in the butt, right then and there.

I know, I know, there's nothing more annoying than a self-appointed English teacher, but I just can't resist pointing out that the more traditional expression is "nip it in the bud," as in prune it back before it grows.

That said, I think I like your way of putting it better. And I agree with your post.

Sorry.

[ShelleyERgirl, LPN]

I think you handled it really well. Good for you for deciding to stand up for yourself! I wouldn't worry about your coworkers opinion in regard to what this CNA is telling them. Sounds like she has quite the reputation already and they are probably taking most of the things that she says with a grain of salt.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

i had a problem cna like this. she ended up switching units. sometimes personalities clash.

[RNKel, ASN, RN]

I know, I know, there's nothing more annoying than a self-appointed English teacher, but I just can't resist pointing out that the more traditional expression is "nip it in the bud," as in prune it back before it grows.

That said, I think I like your way of putting it better. And I agree with your post.

Sorry.

I don't think that's as bad as the posts I keep seeing on here lately. They Capitalize Every Word Of Every Sentence And I Don't Know Why, And It Drives Me Crazy. LOL

[RN1982]

I think you handled the situation just fine. You weren't nasty or rude.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I think you handled things decently. One of the things that non-licensed personnel don't always understand is that we have more under our license to be accountable for...medication administration is a big one. In fact, once you give the med incorrectly, there is not much you can do to correct that, therefore, it does take time to respond to other issues. Also, explaining to the BON that you couldn't take care of a situation because the aide told you to help them probably will not wash very well!!

The key thing to keep in mind is that not only does the nurse have to complete tasks, we also have to do them SAFELY!!! No one else can determine how to procede in your practice than you. And, kuddos to you for deciding not to take abuse!

[MaryAnn_RN]

I know, I know, there's nothing more annoying than a self-appointed English teacher, but I just can't resist pointing out that the more traditional expression is "nip it in the bud," as in prune it back before it grows.

That said, I think I like your way of putting it better. And I agree with your post.

Sorry.

Nipping it in the butt is very apt and I could just see the op doing it, too:yeah: