Major venting about some CNA's - page 19
First, let me say that I am not venting against all CNA's or even most...I've been one myself. I know how hard they work. I applaude the good ones. My problem is the majority of the ones at... Read More
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Dec 29, '02Occupation: Lifetime student! Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 819; Likes: 2Michelle95,
I think there are several issues going on here.
It is EVERYONE's responsibility for patient care. And every facility does have a chain of command whether it is obvious or in the background. As I'm sure you are aware, the reason behind this is not just for use during a conflict but more importantly for times of delegation. CNAs or NAs which ever term is used in each facility are under the guidance of the nursing staff. They have pre-assigned responsibilities according to the facility where they work which can vary greatly. One thing that does not vary however is the direction from the nursing staff. CNAs must follow the direction of RNs and LPNs and all follow direction from the supervisor. If someone has a conflict or discrepancy over there responsibilities, than they need to go through the proper channels BUT not at the time the directive is being given. The only exception to that would be if the directive was in any way going to harm the patient.
Whether or not the CNA agrees with your decision about acu-check timing or not is NOT for him or her to decide. The CNA is to perform the function as directed and take up the personal gripe later.
I agree with you as far as the refusal of your directive. The CNA should have done as instructed.
I know that many who read this will disagree with me. You really need to keep the patients first and foremost. Having been in the military, a CNA, worked in long term care, hospital, woman's clinic and home health care I have learned to keep a perspective. The care comes first the questions and disagreements later.
I loved my work as a CNA. It was the hardest physical work I ever did besides PT in boot camp but I really felt appreciated by the residents as well as the rest of the nursing staff. In all my years I only ran up against one nurse with an attitude for which I later learned was towards anyone with less education than herself. I killed her with kindness. For the rest I never was treated any different than the nurses towards each other. When I needed a hand many a nurse would come to my aid and vice versa. I don't know if we were considered short staffed or not. As a CNA I had on the average 14 residents on second shift in a LTC facility. We all worked together as there was little time for bickering.
I do hope that you can get this resolved. Your immediate supervisor should be contacted and a meeting with the three of you must take place. Perhaps if the air can be cleared things will be better for all.
And Kudos for you concerning your relization of the patient's being someone's loved one. That was the first thing I was taught when I went through CNA class. It stuck with me and always will.
Good luck
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Dec 29, '02Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,750; Likes: 16,271Thanks for the education Mario, but I was being tongue-in-cheek in my reply. Much in the manner of your post that I was answering. and my friend, as Suzy says (and she is right), we ARE flammable, just not combustible. WE **support** combustion when we combine, gases like O2, people, and LIVE cigarettes, lighters, or fire.
Last edit by SmilingBluEyes on Dec 29, '02 -
Dec 30, '02Occupation: CNA Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 485; Likes: 15Mario...we had a blind pt light her sanitary napkin on fire trying to sneak a cigarette in the bathroom. -
Dec 30, '02Occupation: CNA Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 485; Likes: 15How did we get on this topic anyway?
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Dec 30, '02Occupation: Homemaker Joined: May '02; Posts: 49I listen to all the nurses in charge over me, whether they're telling me to do something politely, or beligerently (because I can see how stressful their job can be and I know the tone of voice is not always something personal against me.) Only nurse I dont' bother listening to is the one who wants me to "bring her a cup of coffee back on my way back from hall 6" or "to run and crank her car so it can be warming for her" or "to run the Avon book over to the other nurses station so her order can get placed in time"! And I agree, I work with some other great CNA's that I really look up to and learn from, and others I would not even want taking my family's order at McDonald's, much less helping to take care of them!
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Dec 30, '02Occupation: CNA Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 485; Likes: 15Someone actually asked you to crank up their car? I think at that time I would have said, " Crank THIS!"Last edit by Flo1216 on Dec 30, '02
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Dec 30, '02Occupation: CNA Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 485; Likes: 15Last semester we had to watch an educational video for peds and you know it was an old video because the nurses were smoking at the nurse's station.
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Dec 31, '02Joined: Nov '01; Posts: 765; Likes: 14Oh I can relate to this big time. I worked in LTC and we had to deal with a very difficult patient. So to make it fair each of the CNA's would take turns and have this patient. Well one refused and was rude about it. I couldn't believe and on top of that the CNA left. The next day this same CNA came back to work as if nothing happened that is when I just resigned because if I can't get the respect and do my job as a charge nurse then why even be there. I hate delegation as it is but when I have to do it I don't expect to be so disrespected and then to not be able to do my job. You did the right thing. I personally do not like writing anyone up but some people really deserve it. :-)
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Dec 31, '02Occupation: Acute Medicine/ Palliatve Joined: Dec '02; Posts: 274; Likes: 4"hence the critical thinking, you can't just say, "the rules say this and l am only going to do this"... and right now, it is your nurse who makes these decisions...."
Well said! I was definately thinking..."CNA's are not required to think out of the box" CRITICAL THINKING is a Nursing skill....
Not to sound like a bag here...LOL...but it is true...
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Dec 31, '02Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 580; Likes: 14So your patient who is in the hospital, smokes regularly, and must now STOP..............just like that. Real nice of you. Let them smoke. Not a good time to go cold turkey.Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes
NO--- NO ONE *HAS* TO escort smokers ANYwhere....all we need do is say we will NOT....it's no different to me than others refusing to participate and/or assist with other things that are not in line with their most basic principles. Really, WHAT hospital makes it a NURSING responsibility ABOVE all the OTHER things we have to do, to take people out to smoke? When we come here frequently to complain how people are not even getting BASIC nursing care ...we make it a priority to take people out to do an unhealthy thing like smoke? It's insane!
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Dec 31, '02Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,750; Likes: 16,271UMMM Michelle, dear. DID YOU read the part where I said we offer patches and gum? NO--- We dont' expect them to go cold-turkey off nicotine. they can take us up on the patches/gum or HAVE A RELATIVE talk em out to smoke. What we DO NOT expect is to smoke smokers, either. NO TIME NO INCLINATION, sorry I am a nurse, not babysitter of habits. Nex time you choose to quote me, will you PLEASE BOTHER TO READ AND QUOTE THE WHOLE POST or not at all?Originally posted by MishlB
So your patient who is in the hospital, smokes regularly, and must now STOP..............just like that. Real nice of you. Let them smoke. Not a good time to go cold turkey. -
Dec 31, '02Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 580; Likes: 14I know I know...I hate smoking, and find it ridiculous too. But many times the docs won't prescribe a patch for whatever reason. Just thought I'd stir the pot............
