Evil Cna's

As long as they're making the comments to one another in the break room and not in front of the residents, so what? CNAs are overworked, underpaid, and very stressed out. Sometimes the residents can be annoying, or downright mean. Venting about it helps get it out of your system. It happens all the time. Cashiers complain about the customers, teachers complain about the students, etc. Family and friends complain about each other. Nurses and CNAs are human too. We don't have hearts and flowers shooting out of our butts 24-7 just because of the work we happen to do.

We don't have hearts and flowers shooting out of our butts 24-7 just because of the work we happen to do.

I have to agree. If they want to vent to each other, let them. As long as they aren't saying the stuff in front of or to the residents, and as long as it isn't interfering with their job, then just leave them be.

No one is forcing you to chit chat with them. If you don't want to hear them talk about residents, then focus the conversation back onto professional matters.

Now if they're saying these things in front of residents, then that's another story.....

It looks like we have a Stage 7 post on our hands!

You have to find some way to cope and get along with your coworkers. You don't have to best friends forever but pleasant enough to make it through your shift, semi-sane. There has got to one decent apple in the bunch.

I do understand what you are saying.

I'm in clinicals right now and Im having a really hard time getting along with the other CNAs.Some of the comments I hear about residents are so terrible,it just makes me wonder why these women even got into this field.

Caring, unfortunately that is the way it is in LTC. Anyone with a pulse can get hired in some of these places - even people with no business taking care of the elderly.

I'm afraid I'm gonna get pounced on my comment, but it's ok...here's my 2cents worth:

Our job is hard enough with dealing with the Residents and Admin etc....Why do we have to complain about our Residents? If it were not for them being there we would not have a job....right?

We are in the first stage of Nursing, We are all (hopefully) desiring to become an RN, Lets grow up and stop nagging. Most of our Residents DONT HAVE FAMILY TO COME AND SEE THEM....WE ARE THEIR FAMILY and you know what is said...YOU ALWAYS HURT THE ONES YOU LOVE THE MOST. If it were not for us, where would these precious people who gave us what we have be. Remember, Most of the people we are caring for Fought in Wars, seen much more than we ever will, suffered the Great Depression, heck they even seen a horse and buggy as part of regular transportation, so show a little love and compassion here, lets stand tall and proud. After all, When the Residents call for the Nurse...who do you think they are calling? They are calling you. When they smile and are crying..who is the one that comforts them. YOU.

Compassion, Empathy......

Well I have to agree with parts of this last post above. Not everyone here is going on to nursing school. That part was a little condescending. BUT I do agree with the sentiment that compassion for the residents when you are WITH them is a necessity. Going with the analogy of family, who here DOESN"T have that one family member that everyone b!tches about? You do that when you are not around them, right? Same thing here. Be nice, courteous, empathetic, all that good stuff when you are with your residents. And vent your little heart out when you need to, that's what keeps us sane

As to the horse and buggy, I still drive one of those :) No I'm not Amish, just part of what I've done for work all this time. I have driven through the McDonalds drive through too

I agree 100% with NM nurse to be.

The problem is, we don't know what is being said, or how often things are being said. Also, some people may just be saying things to try and fit in with the other CNA's, just like the OP is trying to get along with them.

On another note, you don't have to agree with what people say to get along with them. I have many friends who I disagree with on different areas, or don't like some things they say, but I get along with them fine. I think that is very important in professional relationships as well.

I have questions for the CNA's: what are your main complaints about the nursing director leadership?

what do you wish they knew? what do you wish they would and wouldn't do? what would make your job easier?

does your assit. director listen to you and support you? Does she provide instruction for you? go at it, I really want to know.

thanks, MJ