Drama between shifts

[OpinionatedCNA, CNA]

Just wanted to say, I have been at this ltc facility for almost a year and have never seen a lot of the drama people complain about, except for today. It is kind of ridiculous but just wanted to say that if you have a problem with another CNA you should tell them directly what the problem is so they can fix it and if the problem is severe enough just report them directly to the nurse manager. It is kind of ridiculous to be gossiping around.

So anyway before I start my shift this morning I get told by one of the nurses today to make sure my rooms are clean, that second shift was being very dramatic about trash in the rooms yesterday. Which I was confused, because I still don't think my rooms were ever that dirty, but I was like okay I will try to make sure they are cleaner (?)

Around the end of my shift, I randomly stumble in on a second shift CNA gossiping about how "trashy" my rooms were yesterday to ALL the other CNAs from both first and second shifts while I was walking a resident. I walk away and the CNA finds me a few minutes later to berate me on how messy my rooms were, how "some of the trash cans still had pampers in them," how not all the trash cans are empty, how there were (clean) linens laying ontop of the residents dressers, and whatever. General clutter. This happened yesterday which was a very busy first shift (Only 3 CNAs when we usually have 5). Not that that's an excuse for anything but **** happens I don't care if the room's a little messy if all I have time to do is continually toilet residents all day, making sure they are clean and comfortable is my priority. Tells me if the rooms are like that today when he starts he's going to report me to the DON. I'm just floored. I didn't say much because I was really embarassed and upset at that point and didn't want to escalate the situation. I tried to explain to him that we were really busy yesterday and I didn't get as much of a chance to clean as I usually do but he just started talk about how the second shift had the same amount of CNAs; which doesn't mean anything I've worked second shift before it's a joke there's nothing to do compared to first shift. Report me to the DON because I forgot to empty some trash cans idgaf, maybe then I can be put on second shift where I have time to sit around and gossip.

Just angry and wanted to vent about about people being unprofessional. Also this can be a general thread to vent about general drama, if it makes anyone feel better to get it out online so they can deal with it more professionally at work.

[Missingyou, CNA]

I hear you. It's so annoying and some people just don't have the maturity level required for the job....not your fault.

The way I've handled it in the past is to pull that person aside and have a calm conversation about it. That you had a very busy shift and you're sorry things were messy, etc. and in the future you'd appreciate them discussing it directly with you.

I would have actually stopped right then and there when I overheard the conversation and said something like (in a pleasant and professional tone) "we can have a conversation when I'm finished walking Mrs. A to work out that issue".

If it continues, I'd have no problem telling that person that I fee it's a good idea that we have a conversation with the DON about these issues. And while I'm talking with the DON with that person I'd let the DON know that we have in fact attempted to resolve the issue between ourselves first.

Let them know you have no problem with involving the RN or other supervisor. That alone usually stops them in their tracks.