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Hey all,
So to keep this short and simple, an aide I work with, I'm also an aide, finished her ADN program and began working as an RN on the same unit. Lately she has been making pretty annoying comments like "oh I forgot how to make a bed because I'm not an aide anymore" really? She once claimed she forgot where certain stock was because she's an RN now. Anytime she does something considered "aide work" she jokes about how it is a job less than her. I have gotten really fed up. How can you act like this when you were "just an aide" a few MONTHS ago? I kinda got nasty with her after one of the comments and said something like "ok we get it, you're an RN congrats". Immature I know but I can't deal anymore with it. Have you experienced people like this?
I was picturing some cocky twenty-two year old, but when you said that she is in her fifties, it made me think that she has probably worked for so many years as "just an aide" and being told what to do by people much younger than her that now that she's an RN she really wants to flaunt it. Not that that excuses her silly behavior, but her age may have something to do with it. I do inpatient dialysis in some hospitals where they have some older aides, and a lot of them seem to have pretty low self esteem and give the impression that they've been figuratively "kicked around" a lot over the years.
Haha, this person sounds quite foolish to be saying these things. It is the RN's responsibility to see that all care is done - not just "RN level tasks". You bet your A** that I still do my own toileting/baths/walks/vitals. I like doing it! And it pays off when there is only one aide on the floor, and surprise! that aide is grateful to you, and therefore helps you the most :)
There is no such thing as "aide work." There are certain NURSING tasks that can be delegated to the aides but these responsibilities are still owned by the nurse. Having aides is a luxury. What will she do if she works on a floor with no aides? Or if all the aides are pulled to sit? Or if (as was the case in my hospital) the aides were lazy and spent 3/4 of the shift hiding in the locker room playing candy crush? If the patient develops a pressure ulcer because he wasn't turned at all in her 12 hr shift, who's ultimately going to be held responsible? Or if a patient goes septic and no vitals were done throughout the shift?
This nurse presumably has a bed at home, does she not? Clearly she did not "forget" how to make a bed, she's just obnoxious.
I have seen RNs act like that when I was in clinicals. It is one thing if the aides are flat out irresponsible and lazy, but its totally another if the aide and their duties are belittled. You had every right to feel that way, it is VERY inappropriate for the RN to act like that. I am sorry you have to deal with that. In a hospital, EVERYONE is part of a team. She needs you just as much as you need her. Take it to management next time, it is far to unprofessional and demeaning. Good luck.
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
I like the...so....when are you getting your BSN? LOL
Ignore her. Smile sweetly and move on. These people get a kick out of making others feel bad. ((HUGS)) SHAME ON HER!