Fantastic CNA. but...

RNewbie · Nov 14, 2011

Maybe a longer suspension without pay would work, like 7-10 days. Downside to that would be you guys would be without her good work for all those days. This would probably only be effective if she has responsibilites, like kids and bills, otherwise, that may just end up being a vacay for her.

Orange Tree · Nov 14, 2011

Actually showing up is a fundamental part of being a great (or even adequate) employee. If she can't manage that, she needs to be let go.

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

Longer suspension? Like 2 or more weeks. A 3 day suspension is nothing. Particularly to the young and stupid.

archangel31 · Nov 14, 2011

The two facilities I worked in had CNAs such as this, and because they were afraid of losing them, mgmt just put up with and put up with it, meanwhile the other aides were getting tired of it and it was just bad all around for morale. Finally, some of these "late birds" either quit or were fired. First and foremost, the patients come first, but your staff needs some support too so that they can give their best even when short. Go to the max on this one-if she has been suspended once, do it one more time,BUT let her know that the next time she is late, she is terminated. Working as a CNA is a professional health care position, no matter what others say, and it is tough responsibility, so the person working it must act professionally, I do not care how young they are. She will only mess herself up with her lateness, but your facility has to go on about its day too. Blessings.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

The only thing I think of is to make her stay late if she arrives late. Then, if that doesn't work, tell her that she will have to switch to nights or evenings if she can't get there on time in the morning.

I think you've got to sit down with her and lay down the situation. Explain that the facility's policy requires that she arrive on time. She has been disciplined for tardiness before. Give her one more opportunity. Tell her that if she is late without notice one more time then she will be fired. Let her know that you don't want to lose her, but you are out of options.

Then you've got to stick to that decision and don't feel bad about it. Honestly, she is in her 20's. She should be able to wake up and get to work on time.

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

Has anyone sat down with her 1:1 and said the same things you said in your post? Does she have a reason for "alarm" problems or does she just blow it off? Maybe she is caring for a sick family member at night? Maybe she has another job? None of us know what is really going on with another person.

I took care of my mother when she was dying of cancer. I worked two 16 hour shifts per week while her sister stayed with her, but the other 5 days I was there. I was exhausted but made my work commitments.

So, if no one has asked her if there is a good reason for her tardiness, then they should. If she is truly just blowing off her responsibility, then she should be fired for the reasons others have listed.

caliotter3 · Nov 14, 2011

Longer suspension. If that does not do the trick, sadly, she must go. She is the one who must learn the lesson of dependability, and if she refuses to learn, not on the employer. You could also provide her with a second alarm clock and tell her to program two clocks. Apparently her clock does not have a double alarm function. I've heard the two, or more, alarms suggestion many times over the years. It is a reasonable suggestion. One person I knew, said she put her clock clear across the room and set it at the loudest volume so she had to get up out of her bed and walk across the room to shut it off. That would wake her up.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Nov 14, 2011

we have a great cna where i work. she works hard, always does a good job, and i can rely on her when she's there. that being said a couple times now, her alarm didn't go off and she's been 2+ hours late for work which in turn throws more on my other aides and makes for a hectic morning. i know she's a young girl (early twenties) but what can we do? she's been suspended for 3 days once and obviously that didn't work. other then firing her, what other options are there? any good "consequence" for her behavior without losing her?! she really is a great aide/hard worker and we know they are hard to find.

you know why she shows up an hour or two late? because she can. management allows it. clearly the 3 day suspension did not have an effect on her, and it's doubtful a longer would either.

systoly · Nov 14, 2011

She's not a great CNA, she's unreliable. It has profound effect on morale and overall quality of care delivered. The tardiness should be addressed in the same manner it would be addressed with everyone else.

michigansapphire · Nov 14, 2011

a couple times now, her alarm didn't go off and she's been 2+ hours late for work

This is not a legitimate excuse for an adult. Target has alarm clocks as cheap as $4.99.

Also, "my alarm didn't go off", or "I slept through the alarm but don't want to admit it"?

allnurses Guide · Nov 14, 2011

I agree with systoly. I put up with an employee like that for quite a while, and I regret it. Essentially she has the other CNAs working for her when she comes in 2 hours late and the anxiety they go through not knowing whether they will have to pick up her slack again is really corrosive to the morale of a workplace.