How to get your CNA's respect

NC Girl BSN · Sep 8, 2009

Well, thats it takes time. First you have to prove to them that your a competent nurse and know how to handle your end of the job. Then you have to trust them to do their job and try to communicate your needs in a non threathing way. I don't think you scored brownie points by writing them up so I don't know what to tell you in that sitiuation.(you may never get their respect.) I always let them do their job until the prove otherwise. If there are problems, go to them First and get their side of the story. Don'y just assume that they are being slack. They may be but then again, they may not. Try to keep management out of it unless you are getting no where with them. When I would have Float CNA, I would tell them what I expected of them in a non threathning way. For example: I would tell them to let me know when they left the unit and intern I would let them know when I left the unit. I would tell them that the residents are the priority so lets try to keep them dry and clean. I would also tell them when I wanted my vitals signs and to report any abnormal finds ASAP. I would peek in on their rooms from time to time but I was so caught up in my work, I did not have time to watch then. Anytime I got a chance, I would help them out. Like answer a call bell or put someone on the toliet. I was a CNA for 15 years and the nurses I liked the best were the ones that were nice and acted liked the cared. I didn't like the ones that micromanaged and was breathing down my back every second and barking off commands.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

nursenewbe · Oct 31, 2009

I have been a CNA for a long time now a nurse. This is a tuffie. Give cna's report and time frames to help them to do their job effectively. Be the strong one ask them what the problem is and how can we solve it. Avoid the whole write up thing. It is so time consuming and makes the situations worse. Make writing up your last resort for a really out of line situation. Ask them for their help because they know the patients better than you. That promotes a team like atmosphere. I love my tech's they are the best. I really thank God for them. I got there back and They got mine. Good Luck.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

I treat the techs with respect. I don't talk down to them or treat them as inferiors. I use the words "please" and "thank you" often. I don't dictate to them how to do their jobs and I don't micromanage, but I do keep track of things.

I'm upfront about what I need from them every shift, and I ask them what they need from me. If one's doing something wrong or not doing something, I'll tell them quietly, not shriek it at them. I tell them to steer me right if I'm the one doing something wrong/not doing it. If there's a problem, we try to work it out without resorting to write-ups or reporting to the supervisor, and we almost always do.

I don't automatically dump every single grunt-work task on the them (I can easily go get a patient a towel if I happen to be going that way), and if they're swamped and I'm not (yes, that does happpen), I'll pitch in and help out with a task or three. After all, as the nurse I'm the one ultimately responsible for everything getting done :)

Also, I won't hesitate to listen to the advice a tech who's been around a lot longer than I am (meaning most of them), instead of automatically pulling the "I'm a nurse and you're not!" card and tuning them out.

It didn't happen overnight--it took several weeks of consistency on my part, but now most of the techs like to see me when I come onto their floor to work, because they know how I am and how I treat them. And I think that because of how I am, most of the techs have been nothing short of fantastic to me when I need them the most :)

Jules A, MSN · Oct 31, 2009

I really value my techs and make sure they know it. When I was new I often sought their input, whether or not I followed it. They had worked there and knew more than I did at that time about basic things. Whenever you have time to help them it is well worth your while, imo. It just takes time with some of them before they warm up to a new nurse. Tread lightly at first.

tewdles, RN · Oct 31, 2009

For me it boils down to treating them with respect, considering them as a valuable part of the healthcare team, asking their opinion, publicly praising them for work well done and privately talking with them when they mess up. Of course, as nurses we must be team players. We must be fair, consistent, and compassionate leaders when we are supervising a team of workers. As a leader, writing staff up should not be our first or second option. Helping a staff member improve their performance through thoughtful mentoring will not only grow their skill set but will improve their job satisfaction. Building relationships takes time, don't be in a hurry, but do be proactive.

mccauley01 · Nov 2, 2009

I am a tech while I am going to nursing school. I respect all the nurses, but am happiest to work with the ones who will help me move a patient or get them a drink if the patient happens to ask them for it. I am not happy when a nurse comes out of a patient room to find me and says, "106 asked for a drink." It seems that in the time it took them to find me, they could have easily grabbed the drink for them. Most of all, I just want to hear pleases and thank yous!

NENE RN · Jan 27, 2010

I am a tech who recently started my nursing program. I will tell you that the techs that will not work for you will never work for you. My nurses love me because I come to work and do my job. Even if I am not there aide they know I will help if possible. I find that I have problem with the nurses who talk down to me and are disrespectful because I am an "aide." These are the same nurses who will refuse to do aide work and throw a hissy fit when they find out that they have to anyway. IF you RESPECT us we do everything in our power to make the day go smoother. Now you will have the non-workers who work for no one but they are usually friends with the charge nurse or someone higher up. If you are having a problem with someone talk to them; Don't talk down to us because we know more than we are given credit for. NO WE AREN'T nurses but we are NOT IDIOTS either. All nurses started somewhere before they were nurses.

We Want RESPECT just like you do.

The write ups probably didn't win you any points but I was raised: "Do your job or find another one regardless of your title!" That was on them they should have being doing their jobs. You will always have the aides that do just enought to get by. On the other hand I have had a nurse who have walked by two ice/water machines to tell me to get rm888 a cup of water after walking into a room where my other pt is having for example, a seizure on the floor. Yes its my job but come on....(no it wasn't her pt). Only to proceed to walk into the nurses station to gossip then goto lunch all the while OUR pt is still needed water for his/her meds.

After being an aide/tech it has just taught me how not to be and to mimic the good nurses that I work with.