Do you feel that patients look down on you because youre a CNA/HHA?

Kadambari · Jul 14, 2012

I am sorry that you feel this way. There is nothing worse than feeling disrespected.
With that said, if this is truly how you feel, I think that you should stay away from Health Care. Do not bother becoming a nurse.
In order to be a nurse you need to be able to look at yourself objectively and learn from your mistakes. You need to have compassion for the patients that you are treating, and their families. The 1st paragraph of your post (that I have quoted above) tells me that you are not able to do that at all! You are perfect and everyone else is not. You can be selfish and self absorbed but no one else can. You are supremely intelligent and they are not.

You are misinterpreting my posts. Most people who have met me think i am the nicest person they have ever met, in fact they think I am TOO nice, and often advise me to toughen up a bit. Unfortunately, this kindness is often viewed as a weakness by some of the patients I have worked with. Some perceive me to be weak or incompetent.

Newsflash, you are not as smart as you think (ex. the definition of integrity does not fit your usage). Neither am I. Nobody knows everything. The patient that called you stupid may not be someone with poor character, they may be scared out of their wits about a new diagnosis from their doctor, or a new symptom they have. Heck, they could have just had a bad day. We ALL act poorly once in a while. Calling you stupid is not appropriate, but it is not the end of the world. The patient got to express their frustration/anger/fear/bitterness/etc. If you had responded with a pleasant smile and attitude, I am sure the patient would have been in a much better mood by the time the visit ended (although they may not want you to know, lol). Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it!
The elderly are the largest demographic of patients and will be until all of the baby boomers have passed. You will have to deal with them during nursing school, at vaccine clinics, at doctors offices, at hospitals etc, etc, etc. There is no way to avoid them entirely between now and when you get a job in the NICU, peds or L&D.

Well, you've had much more pleasant experiences than I have working with the elderly. Unfortunately, I've run across quite a few bad apples that it has discouraged me from wanting to work with anything related to geriatrics. Working as a HHA, I worked for an elderly woman, who would curse and hurl all kinds of insults when you didn't vacuum her carpet in the manner that she requested. the majority of the caregivers who worked for her quit. The agency had a tough time finding aides who would permanently assist her

Alliedhealth · Jul 15, 2012

There are parents that will curse like a sailor for giving their child a needle. Their are people who feel like their waiting too long and become irate. As far getting away from the disrespect is a never ending battle. I've seen nurses and doctors get disrespected for flushing an Iv line, trying to start one, or not knowing how long it's going to take to clear up their ailment. Anything can set people off.

tomc5555 · Jul 15, 2012

You are misinterpreting my posts. Most people who have met me think i am the nicest person they have ever met, in fact they think I am TOO nice, and often advise me to toughen up a bit. Unfortunately, this kindness is often viewed as a weakness by some of the patients I have worked with. Some perceive me to be weak or incompetent.
Well, you've had much more pleasant experiences than I have working with the elderly. Unfortunately, I've run across quite a few bad apples that it has discouraged me from wanting to work with anything related to geriatrics. Working as a HHA, I worked for an elderly woman, who would curse and hurl all kinds of insults when you didn't vacuum her carpet in the manner that she requested. the majority of the caregivers who worked for her quit. The agency had a tough time finding aides who would permanently assist her

I don't think we're misinterpreting your post. Based on what you've written nursing care of any type doesn't seem like a good fit for you. You need to get a handle on what you're capable of doing as well as what you want for a career.

It seems like you try to convince yourself nursing is what you want as a career. You may be deluding yourself and missing opportunities for a different satisfying career.

nguyency77, CNA · Jul 15, 2012

LTC: you know that Mr. X will call you an idiot if you don't mix the 7 Splenda and 2 creamer into his coffee *exactly* the right way with a PLASTIC spoon. Of course. You idiot. Hospital: you have no idea which patient (the elderly, the withdrawing from drugs, the spoiled one ) will throw a fit and call you an idiot. Personally, I prefer the surprise . Keeps it exciting not knowing who's gonna take a swing at me. If you have no tolerance --or no joy for that matter-- in dealing with gross stuff and unreasonable people, maybe health care isn't for you. Sometimes the unreasonable/violent ones end up being totally awesome when their pain/condition finally gets managed and/or they get used to what your boundaries are.

Right?! :lol2: It must be with a plastic spoon. I have one lady who calls me an idiot when I change her brief but then right after she laughs and calls me honey.

This other lady I care for MUST have her daily routine in her exact order. She likes her ChapStick but it CAN'T come before her hairbrush. Otherwise when she gets the hairbrush she'll chuck it at me. Her geri-chair must be at a precise angle with every blanket and pillow smoothed to hotel room perfection in both her bed and chair. She must have exactly two tissues, one in each hand before I take her anywhere.

I learned all of these things after probably 3 or 4 trips to see my supervisor with my various battle wounds-- a 1 and 1/2 inch long bleeding scratch on my arm, the time she punched me in the eye, etc. Not being a vindictive person, I never mentioned this violence to her family. But thanks to this resident I feel invincible when they put me on the skilled halls. I can deal with anything.

People sometimes still treat me like I don't know anything despite my actual level of education. Maybe it's true that I don't. But it doesn't matter because that's not what I'm there for. I'm not about to play the "Oh woe is me, I'm a minority!" card. I don't want people to feel sorry for me because of my nationality. You just have to not take things so personally. If you feel you can't do that, maybe you should try a different patient population.

TurtleCat · Jul 15, 2012

This other lady I care for MUST have her daily routine in her exact order. She likes her ChapStick but it CAN'T come before her hairbrush. Otherwise when she gets the hairbrush she'll chuck it at me. Her geri-chair must be at a precise angle with every blanket and pillow smoothed to hotel room perfection in both her bed and chair. She must have exactly two tissues, one in each hand before I take her anywhere.
I learned all of these things after probably 3 or 4 trips to see my supervisor with my various battle wounds-- a 1 and 1/2 inch long bleeding scratch on my arm, the time she punched me in the eye, etc. Not being a vindictive person, I never mentioned this violence to her family. But thanks to this resident I feel invincible when they put me on the skilled halls. I can deal with anything.

Maybe I'm out of line here, but that seems like a bit much to me. :/ I mean, verbal abuse is one thing -- after all, it's like they say "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" but physical is another. The exception, of course, is when a patient is demented or otherwise mentally incompetent and doesn't know what they're doing -- it seems to me, though, that if a patient is in their right mind there should be NO tolerance for physical abuse. Being a CNA or nurse shouldn't make you a punching bag and outlet for any and every form of abuse a person wants to throw at you. :/ Just because one is in a hospital or nursing home doesn't mean they should be allowed to mistreat the staff any way they please -- unless, like I said, dementia or some other serious ailment is the issue here.

nguyency77, CNA · Jul 15, 2012

Maybe I'm out of line here, but that seems like a bit much to me. :/ I mean, verbal abuse is one thing -- after all, it's like they say "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" but physical is another. The exception, of course, is when a patient is demented or otherwise mentally incompetent and doesn't know what they're doing -- it seems to me, though, that if a patient is in their right mind there should be NO tolerance for physical abuse. Being a CNA or nurse shouldn't make you a punching bag and outlet for any and every form of abuse a person wants to throw at you. :/ Just because one is in a hospital or nursing home doesn't mean they should be allowed to mistreat the staff any way they please -- unless, like I said, dementia or some other serious ailment is the issue here.

My DON said that too, but the scheduler keeps throwing me onto that hall knowing full well my history with this resident. But my work has never chosen to do anything about it, either. I know it's not okay that she hits and whatnot, but it's typically out of frustration because she doesn't talk anymore after experiencing a stroke. She does it to all of the staff, but regardless I never let her fall by the wayside. She's always clean and she's happy--at least when she's not being obsessive-compulsive.

But thank you for caring about me even though I'm just a stranger :hug: Sometimes I need reassurance, just like everyone else.

nguyency77, CNA · Jul 15, 2012

Oops, accidentally double-posted because I hit the back button. Sorry!

caliotter3 · Jul 15, 2012

I have found that many family members treat me as if I am nothing more than a glorified babysitter, although I am a nurse. If they can't garner any more respect for me other than how early can they get me to show up so they can run out the door, there is not much I can do about it. I just see this negative attitude as what I have to put up with in order to get paid.

mindyfromcali · Jul 15, 2012

I know what it's like to feel that way from patients and their family members, as well as other staff. Really, though, no matter what job you take in whatever field, there are people like that everywhere. The trick is to remember who you are, that we're all human beings, and not try to take stuff so personally. Maybe they're insecure with who they are and they're projecting it onto you to lift themselves up. Who really knows? Why obsess over it?

I've dealt with all kinds of crazy patients and family members. They're not with me when I go home, though. When I clock out they're not in my head (or I try to keep it that way, doesn't always work). I'm not saying you should quit healthcare, but it is a profession where you will have to deal with all kinds of personality types. It's kind of also beyond your control which ones you have to deal with. The others are right, parents of children can be tough to deal with in peds. I have no experience with labor and delivery, but that seems like it can also be stressful, they just had a baby. Med/surg is tough as well for various reasons. Geriatrics aren't the only patients with attitudes that need adjustment. It's just not our job to try to adjust them, and it will really stress you if you don't change your approach.

I can't control how they act, but I can control how I react. It isn't always easy to be respectful to someone who is not showing you respect, but it gets easier if you remember that when it comes right down to it, they depend on you.

I'm not here to judge anyone, and I just hope that helped. Big hugs, it will be okay.

shakerattleandroll · Jul 23, 2012

There are many different fields in the RN profession therefore I will just pursue a different avenue.
None of that helps at all. I've remained calm while a disabled patient shouted and yelled that i was doing something wrong before I even got a chance to touch him. This was in homecare. I alerted the agency and they didn't understand why he was reacting like that. Clearly, he was being prejudiced and did not want me working for him. Therefore i left the case.
I understand they are frustrated with the direction life has taken however I will not tolerate any abuse or bullying from their behalf. There have been some elderly/disabled patients who bully certain employees by exaggerating complaints in an attempt to get some of caregivers fired. It can be for any reason jealousy, insecurity, agism, racism, bigotry etc The one guy I worked with always voiced complaints about the caregivers who were young, even though we did nothing wrong. Many of them quit or fired while the older ones stayed around

At this point, Kadambari, I'm starting to feel like the root of the problem may be you. I'm not trying to be hurtful in any way, but if you're receiving numerous complaints, and you're trying to adjust your reactions accordingly and nothing is changing, there has to be a problem. I don't think it has anything to do with the fact that you're a CNA. Maybe you're projecting your own insecurities, I don't know. I'm just not sure that working in the healthcare industry is the best fit for you. I can definitely see that you're going through alot of emotional distress, and that isn't good for anyone. Good luck, and I really hope things improve.

breezycna · Jul 23, 2012

In all honesty, most of the residents don't really know about CNA training, work limitations, etc. They just know you're the one who comes running when they need help. They know if they need anything, even if you can't personally get it for them (like meds), it's your face they're going to see. I have been offered tips for just taking a few moments to sit and talk to a distressed resident, holding their hand, offering them beverages/snacks. A gentleman gave me a hug for assisting him to the restroom and back; he kept asking if he was dead, and if I was an angel.

Just because you're a minority, doesn't mean everyone cares that you're a minority. And being a CNA isn't some lowly job to be ashamed of. But if it was such a big deal, why did you go into it in the first place? And do you really think being a cashier is better? I worked retail for 6 years. I'm working as a CNA now, to pay my way though college (I'm a Psychology major), and I'm way happier doing this. Plus, you're working with one patient at a time. So yeah, they're going to be demanding.

I think healthcare is probably not going to be a good route for you, especially if you think you can eliminate working with entire groups of people because you don't like them. Just try to consider that before you ignore the advice you asked for, enter the field, then possibly end up in a bad situation--or worse, end up injuring a patient.

Glycerine82, LPN · Jul 27, 2012

Some do yes. I find that most though are so greatful for what I do and how I do it. I hear a lot of "what would I do without you" and it makes my heart sing. Those are the people who matter