i would really like to know what others think about this..... yesterday, we had two people call in sick for the pm shift. So at 2.15, 15 minutes before our day shift was over, our charge nurse informed us that one of us would "have to" stay. "Us" of course meant only the aides. She seemed to feel no obligation whatsoever to cover for the absent staff members.
Anyway, none of us volunteered- one had no babysitter, two were already in overtime, one had another job, one had plans for the evening, i was not feeling well and also had a lot of homework to do yet. So none of us aides wanted to stay. So the charge nurse walked around pointing at each of us saying "you can't leave". Then she said we have to figure out who is staying, more or less implying that it should be me (since the other aide's excuses seemed to be more valid in her opinion i guess). I said I would not stay. I was too stunned by her field marshal behavior to say anything else, but I was determined not to stay. She said okay, lets flip a coin. Just before it came to that, the aide who had plans reluctantly agreed to stay. I felt like everyone was pointing fingers at me, though.
I am soooo mad. Not once did it cross her mind that maybe she should stay. Is that really so unreasonable? I mean, she's in charge, and if none of us aides can stay, shouldn't she be the one to step in and cover the shift? After all, it's basic nursing care, it's within her scope of practice, right? She acted as though she owns us, like she can FORCE one of us to stay. I am really tempted to file a grievance against her.
I personally do not feel like it is my obligation to cover for staffing shortages- especially since there is no incentive for doing so. We get no bonus, no overtime pay, just our regular wage, yet we are expected to put our life on hold and stay. I don't think so.
What do you think? How are situations like this handled where you work? And do you think I should complain about the nurse and her condescending behavior?
no employer can expect you to choose work over your children.
When I was a brand new CNA I had a three month old son who spiked a temp of 103, my husband called me and said he would not wake up. I told the ADON that I needed to leave, we were full staffed no biggy but she gave me a hard time and even said and I quote," You need to get your priorities straight. These people are more important while you are here and you need to decide whats more important your job or your family."
I told her to get bent and quit the next day while standing in the Pedi ICU.
Specializes in Hospice- 3.5 yrs, Transplant- 1 yr.
Today we found out from our professor who just got back from a conference that there is 200 percent turnaround in cna work. You just gave a prime reason why. It stinks what she did, keep going on with your school and one day you'll be the one who is in charge and will handle it better.
AMEN right there. I am a CNA and I can agree with you on that!
Specializes in Hospice- 3.5 yrs, Transplant- 1 yr.
When I was a brand new CNA I had a three month old son who spiked a temp of 103, my husband called me and said he would not wake up. I told the ADON that I needed to leave, we were full staffed no biggy but she gave me a hard time and even said and I quote," You need to get your priorities straight. These people are more important while you are here and you need to decide whats more important your job or your family."
I told her to get bent and quit the next day while standing in the Pedi ICU.
CNA jobs are a dime a dozen your family is NOT
You did the right thing! Good for you and I hope your son was/is ok!
Specializes in Hospice- 3.5 yrs, Transplant- 1 yr.
Hi,
i would really like to know what others think about this..... yesterday, we had two people call in sick for the pm shift. So at 2.15, 15 minutes before our day shift was over, our charge nurse informed us that one of us would "have to" stay. "Us" of course meant only the aides. She seemed to feel no obligation whatsoever to cover for the absent staff members.
Anyway, none of us volunteered- one had no babysitter, two were already in overtime, one had another job, one had plans for the evening, i was not feeling well and also had a lot of homework to do yet. So none of us aides wanted to stay. So the charge nurse walked around pointing at each of us saying "you can't leave". Then she said we have to figure out who is staying, more or less implying that it should be me (since the other aide's excuses seemed to be more valid in her opinion i guess). I said I would not stay. I was too stunned by her field marshal behavior to say anything else, but I was determined not to stay. She said okay, lets flip a coin. Just before it came to that, the aide who had plans reluctantly agreed to stay. I felt like everyone was pointing fingers at me, though.
I am soooo mad. Not once did it cross her mind that maybe she should stay. Is that really so unreasonable? I mean, she's in charge, and if none of us aides can stay, shouldn't she be the one to step in and cover the shift? After all, it's basic nursing care, it's within her scope of practice, right? She acted as though she owns us, like she can FORCE one of us to stay. I am really tempted to file a grievance against her.
I personally do not feel like it is my obligation to cover for staffing shortages- especially since there is no incentive for doing so. We get no bonus, no overtime pay, just our regular wage, yet we are expected to put our life on hold and stay. I don't think so.
What do you think? How are situations like this handled where you work? And do you think I should complain about the nurse and her condescending behavior?
Thanks!
First of all, you did the right thing. NOBODY should EVER be forced to stay ANYWHERE esp by a charge nurse. I have had those moments and they need to be careful who they put "in charge" the DON should have brought his/her butt in to cover or the Charge should have stayed! ESPECIALLY WITHOUT OVERTIME PAY!!! ARE U KIDDING ME? But, on the other hand, I would have stayed if they payed overtime....but to hell with someone in my face pointing fingers....no ma'am. No.
Where do you live that you have an OT law? I've never heard of such a thing? We get time and a half for all OT, but did you mean it's restricted in someway?
When I was a brand new CNA I had a three month old son who spiked a temp of 103, my husband called me and said he would not wake up. I told the ADON that I needed to leave, we were full staffed no biggy but she gave me a hard time and even said and I quote," You need to get your priorities straight. These people are more important while you are here and you need to decide whats more important your job or your family."
I told her to get bent and quit the next day while standing in the Pedi ICU.
I agree with the fact that no one should be mandated to stay. I personally would not choose work over my children, the pt. safety or my safety. If I'm overworked and tired, that can cause me to make errors in pt. care. Than I could lose my license as a CNA or Nurse Its not fair and its not right. I suggest that employees ask questions prior to working at a facility just to see if they would be mandated to stay.
Where I work you have to sign up for a day to work overtime if need be. So if someone doesn't show up and they can't replace that person, whoever is on the calendar has to stay. That way everyone knows in advance if there's a possibility for that.
I am a pt CNA and a full time student with a child also. But were I work they tell you in advance that if they are short staffed at shift change we are required to stay until they either get other aides in there or the next shift change. This happened to me last weekend. I worked 16 hrs because someone called in. They also tell you that if you leave, you can be reported for abondonment. I do not know how true that is though. Also, if bad weather comes in and we are there working, we get a bed in a spare room and stay there until it clears. It really sucks in the winter time.
...It should be noted that from a regulatory perspective, in order for patient abandonment to occur, the nurse or CNA must have first accepted the patient assignment and established a nurse-patient relationship, then severed that nurse-patient relationship without giving reasonable notice to the appropriate person (supervisor, employer) so that arrangements can be made for continuation of nursing care by others. Providing appropriate nursing personnel to care for patients is the responsibility of the employer. Failure of a nurse to work beyond his/her scheduled shift, refusal to accept an assignment, refusal to float to another unit, refusal to report to work, and resigning without notice, are examples of employment issues, and not considered by the Board to constitute patient abandonment.
This solves the "Can they take my license" issue. No they cannot (in VA anyways, check your BON, I am sure they have addressed it)
Correction: They cannot mandate for short staffing. Only for emergencies. So if they are short staffed by an emergency situation as defined by the BON or state they CAN mandate.
However, most employee handbooks include a section on 'Mandated Overtime.' If they include covering for short staffing AND you signed it you are required to do it or they CAN terminate you...
I have not found anything in the rules for CNAs in North Carolina only for licensed staff. Here is what it says in our employee handbook.
IF YOU ARE DUE TO LEAVE (AT THE END OF YOUR SHIFT) YOU MUST MAKE SURE SOMEONE IS THERE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PATIENT. YOU MAY NEVER LEAVE A PATIENT ALONE. LEAVING A PATIENT ALONE IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE TERMINATION AND LEGAL LIABILITY IF THE PATIENT IS HARMED IN ANY WAY. IT IS CONSIDERED ABANDONMENT AND NEGLECT AND IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
AZMOMO2
1,194 Posts
When I was a brand new CNA I had a three month old son who spiked a temp of 103, my husband called me and said he would not wake up. I told the ADON that I needed to leave, we were full staffed no biggy but she gave me a hard time and even said and I quote," You need to get your priorities straight. These people are more important while you are here and you need to decide whats more important your job or your family."
I told her to get bent and quit the next day while standing in the Pedi ICU.
CNA jobs are a dime a dozen your family is NOT