Got the CNA evil eye...what to do ??

[fairyluv]

I got the evil eye from several cna's today. And it had nothing to do with them. Another nurse (who only works prn and maybe once a month at that) was scheduled to work today. I was scheduled to work hall # 3, and she was scheduled to work hall # 2. Apprarently she had been a CNA on hall # 3 for yrs. and only worked on a prn basis while she was in school. So I never worked with her. She was mad that I was on hall # 3 and she was on hall # 2 and told me that she was supppose to be on hall # 3 that day and I was suppose to be on hall # 2. (now mind you the way she approached me was very intimidating and bullying) I told her I was on hall # 3 the previous day before and I really did not want to switch. She would have to call the staff nurse if she wanted to make changes to the schedule. She said she did but the staff nurse never answered. And that she wasn't clocked in yet, so she was leaving and she left. I called the staff nurse and she answered and she said she would be there soon. I went ahead with my count and took the cart and started my med pass. (which i had to start late because of the damn drama). I seen the staff nurse about an hour later, then I seen the other nurse (i guess she came back and worked the other hall). now mind you the other cna's used to work with her and they had all been of the same cliuqe. I got the evil eye from the start, i guess since I didn't back down and give up my hall when they all thought I should. later on that day I was told by a super that I needed to "help her out" because she was behind. (I guess it was my fault that she threw a fit and walked out, because I wouldn't give in to intimidation. ) I still had my med pass, tx's and charting to finish and my shift was almost half over. I never got time to help her. I had to stay over for and hour and half just to get my stuff finished. And I'm suppose to 'support' her after she tried to bully me into giving up my hall. Really really rubbed me the wrong way. Why should I give up my hall to someone who only works once a month ? When the schedule clearly shows me working the hall that I was on. I did not want to move, I did not appreciate her telling me I 'had' to move, nor did I feel it was fair for them to even suggest I move. And not only that, but to leave because you didnt get your way ?? i have never threatened to leave before I clocked in because I didn't like my assignment. I have threatened to not come back. But I have never threatened to not accept my assignment. I have asked to have it changed before. and accepted it if it wasn't and dredged through it. But never said I would leave if it wasn't changed. And so many people will do that, and they will let them and change assisgnments for them so that they won't leave. I think if someone would have been there who has the authority to change the assisngment, i prob would have had to move. really just ticks me off. Now I worry, that I'm gonna get wrote up for not being "supportive". and the evil eyes from the cna's wasn't needed, I could have been a real witch and laxed every incont res I had. but I didn't. Why ?? cause I'm better than that. but next time, i might consider it.

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I was on your side totally until your comment about laxing incontinent residents. I hope that you were just kidding because to even think about using residents to inconvenience other staff members, that's just wrong. But back to your post, I'm sorry that you got flack for your decision, but it doesn't sound to me like you did anything wrong. I obviously don't know the history of the whole situation, is the other nurse afraid to work the other hall because she's not familiar with the residents? I know where I'm working, nurses will regularly switch assignments if one requests for any number of reasons, but everyone's good about doing what works best for everyone. Did you do something wrong by not switching? I don't think so. Would life have been a little easier for you if you did switch? Maybe. But you have to do what's best for your residents and staff need to understand that it's not about them, it's about providing the best care. Good luck.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I hope that you were just kidding because to even think about using residents to inconvenience other staff members, that's just wrong.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

When I look at the situation, you both right and your were both wrong. Yes, you were on hall 3 the day before and scheduled again for hall 3--so you had a "right" to be there. She does not work very often, so maybe it would be best for her to be on hall 3, where she is at least somewhat familiar.

On the other hand, you really should have helped her and/or considered giving up hall 3 to her. At the very least said "I realize you like hall 3 also, but I was on hall 3 yesterday, and I will do my very best to help you complete your assignment on hall 2." And obviously there was no justification for the laxative comment--even if you did get the evil eye from CNAs. Likewise, there was no reason for the other nurse to throw her little temper tantrum and walk out. Plus she did not handle her request very well at all.

Good luck to you as this goes forward, I hope it works out well for you.

[rensamm]

You shouldn't have to give up your scheduled hall. That nurse works for the facility not 'hall 3'. A per diem nurse should be familiar with all halls, units, etc. because that nurse is there AS NEEDED and she was needed on hall 2! The same thing happens routinely at my facility. You stood your ground and it shows you can not be pushed and bullied around. If you did have the time it would've shown class and team work if you did help her out. Who cares for evil eyes? Evil eyes aren't the ones on your residents smiling faces after your care, and evil eyes do not put food on your families table.

[fairyluv]

I was on your side totally until your comment about laxing incontinent residents. I hope that you were just kidding because to even think about using residents to inconvenience other staff members, that's just wrong. .

yes I was kidding. I would never do that. But I did have a nurse suggest that to me. I for one would never do that to a res. nor would I do that to the CNA's no matter how many evil eyes i get. besides it's more work for me to have to give extra meds that are not necessary. No one has said anything to me about not switching. So I guess it's ok. But this particular nurse and her friends have a history of bullying other co-workers. or so i have been told. The cna's once told another nurse she was suppose to get her own vital signs cause the cna's weren't gonna do them. In our facility it is the cna's duty to get vitsl signs. these cna's are often seen sitting behind the nurses station for most of the shift. and if you , the nurse, being their superior, say anything to them. they retaliate against you, accuse you of abuse and the next thing you know you are on suspension. There are several nurses who do not like working with them because they do this. and are afraid to say anything to them about doing there job.

[Blackcat99]

There are a bunch of bullies at my job too. Some of these "prn nurses" think they are so special and will fight the fulltime nurses for their hall. Don't let these prn nurse bullies take your hall. You did the right thing by standing up for yourself and keeping your assigned hall.

The CNA's are always giving the "evil eye" at my facility too.

[systoly]

it's all in the approach

a number of years back at an extended care facility

i found myself scheduled for a hall i was rather unfamiliar with

i didn't think too much about it and went on my merry way

unbeknownst to me, the nurse who would usually work

that hall was scheduled for my regular hall and didn't waste any time

going around saying, "he took my hall from me"

if she'd just come to me and said, " wanna switch?"

i'd have said hell yes

[77Lefty]

I also get the "evil eye" from some CNA's. Sometimes there's even smart remarks. Maybe because I just started, maybe I look like an idiot fumbling with the med cart that gives 'em joy watching me suffer, or maybe it's one of those "initiation"/transition initial stages. Whatever it may be, it doesn't matter to me. I'm there to do my job, if they wanna keep hating that's fine with me. As long as they get the job done, I can care less whatever kind of look I get. I love the challenge, bring it on!!!

[science in flowers]

You 'seen'...you mean you 'saw'.

[workinmomRN2012, BSN]

I don't understand why a Per Diem nurse would cause such a problem. She should be lucky to get work at all in this economy. It sounds like bully behavior. I always say "you teach people how to treat you", and you just taught her that next time she needs to ask politely if she can switch with you and to handle it like a grown up if you don't want to switch.