Disrespectful, Lazy CNAs who bully

[NurseyPoo7]

Does anyone else have problems with CNAs (or other subordinate staff) who was generally disrespectful, insubordinate and lazy? I know this is a problem since the dawn of time and will continue to be a problem, but what about when they bully & take advantage of their fellow staff: Other CNAs and nurses. The easy answer is to fire them and hire people who actually care about the patients and take pride in where they work, but because of the HR "set up" we have, it allows them to get write up after write up, warning after warning.... so they remain until they transfer out or quit.

Anyone have any tips on how to deal with staff like this?

[Biosciencegeek]

I work with a few CNAs that actually bully the nurses (charge nurse included) and spend more time sitting at the nurse's station texting their boyfriends than the nurses do while doing paperwork.....right in front of the nurses.

Luckily, this LTC CNA job I have is only a temporary stepping stone for a little (and I mean pathetically little...it's a shame what CNAs make...or at least the good ones like me) extra income until I graduate nursing school. Unfortunately, this seems to be the norm in my area, and it is sad.

[billyboblewis]

I have found that the quality of cna's has really gone down the tubes and that only a small minority are good efficient workers. As to their pay being too low I disagree. They are basicly unskilled workers and if they have the ability they can increase their pay by increasing their education and level in the job market like myself or anyone else can. I can always say the same for myself but I have the same option as a CNA to increase my value.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I work with a few CNAs that actually bully the nurses (charge nurse included) and spend more time sitting at the nurse's station texting their boyfriends than the nurses do while doing paperwork.....right in front of the nurses.

Luckily, this LTC CNA job I have is only a temporary stepping stone for a little (and I mean pathetically little...it's a shame what CNAs make...or at least the good ones like me) extra income until I graduate nursing school. Unfortunately, this seems to be the norm in my area, and it is sad.

Bolding is my own.

This is the issue right there. If CNA's are not doing as they are asked to do, and mouthing off to the charge nurse--this is the charge nurse's issue to bring to the manager.

People will be sent home. Incident reports will be done each time a CNA is asked to assist a patient, and they do not. Cut staffing to 1 or 2 CNA's a shift on the off shifts.

It continues because it is allowed to continue. And even with the most "strict" of unions, a trail of incident reports, leading to an investigation that CNA's are sent home over, an improvement plan for the ones that are worth it, but just misguided, and letting CNA's go due to patient safety issues all need to occur.

Charges and managers need to be clearer, they need to be setting a standard by which CNA's follow, and there needs to be consequences.

And if there's a boatload of anyone hanging about texting, then in fact there's too many personnel.

[SororAKS, ADN, RN]

I treat everyone with respect, CNA's, RN's, LPN's, Dietary, Pharmacy. I give everyone a chance to do the same with me. I am patient, but my boundaries and expectations are pretty clear. I'm more than willing to help if I'm able, am not afraid to answer lights/toilet/bathe patients if I know the CNA is busy and I am in the vicinity. We are all here for the same thing. If I see that the CNA is not pulling their weight, I'm assertive and will tell them. IF it continues, I'll press it as far as it needs to get pressed. Patients needs must come first, no ifs ands or butts.