How would you handle this difficult person?

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I need advice. I work in assisted living (I am a nurse) and I have one care attendant who seems to be out for blood or something. she is constantly asking me "why" I changed a nursing order, "why" I wrote something this or that way. Every time I tell her something I get back-talk, she just disagrees with me no matter what. She will ask me a question and then will claim the other nurse told her something different for an answer. She left a resident in a wet bed until almost noon one day, and then after she got her up she just pulled up the comforter over wet sheets. I had complaints from two other staff about the smell coming from the room. Now she claims she was told she could not "force" a resident to get up, so she just leaves them in bed as this is what she was taught by another nurse. I said we never force, the word is "encourage" and please to come and get me and I will help her any time with difficult residents. she is making my life miserable at work. she came in the med room that same day and yelled at me because a residents meds had not come in. She was counseled by me for leaving the resident in a wet bed and then went right to the administrator to deny everything. heeeeeeeeeelp

Specializes in Geriatrics and Quality Improvement,.
I need advice...... she is making my life miserable at work. she came in the med room that same day and yelled at me because a residents meds had not come in. She was counseled by me for leaving the resident in a wet bed and then went right to the administrator to deny everything. heeeeeeeeeelp

In my experience, when I have people like this, I go with them. I do it with them. Here's what I mean....

Marie(not her real name), Mr. Hy is wet, i just checked his diaper. Please change him in the next 10 minutes, and I need to see his sacrum.

When she goes in the room, go with her, and help turn him, keeping silent the whole time...only talking to the resident.(Keep you hand on the rail. We are just here to clean you. etc..) let her rant for no more than 30 seconds. Remind her she is a professional, and that these circumstances are not to be brought into the residents room, as many times as she needs to hear it. Then write it up if she failed to be a professional.

You are acomplishing a whole bunch of things.....

You are in charge, you are supervising, you are reminding her of HER job.....

As a charge nurse myself, I have cultivated a team, and this was through many MANY meanies in the feild. They had to leave/transfer units when they couldnt "hack the work load" ie: couldnt challenge me or get away with mis-treatment.

Yes, keep your supervisor/DON involved orally. Yes, after each incident, write it up, and when 3 are accumulated, bring it to the DON in writing.

Good luck.

Every once in a while God turns on the Sitcom Nurse Channel for a good laugh. :nurse:

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Throwing a pencil @ you is an assault, if she actually touches you or hits you w/something, it's battery. So, in addition to creating a hostile work environment, she's breaking the law.

Keep documenting. You can try to make things work as the above poster suggested, but I'm not so sure this gal would let you.

Good Luck and hang in there--those patients need you!

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Specializes in home health.
:uhoh21: Update: She has been counseled and given four write ups, one was for throwing a pencil at me in the med room while I was on the phone with a resident's daughter. I am so surprised she was not canned for that. She is still there but is walking a very thin line. It's only a matter of time I think. :smackingf

The ones who should not be there eventually weed themselves out.

As for the pencil throwing and screaming..it's time to talk to DON or Human Resources and use the term "Hostile Work Environment"

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In reply to.Luv2Quilt...

I have a few questions & I hope I don't come off sounding like a B***h,,

Why,first of all is this attendant questioning your nursing judgment?

Why in the world is she even in the med room with you?

Why,is she questioning Dr orders?

Seems to me she thinks she's all that& has abad attitude.

She sounds like a very inaduquate Tech.

You should be writting her up for the sloppy care she is giving.

Also,,leaving the resident in wet,pee soaked linens/clothes is also a form of abuse!

I don't mean to be harping,or come down on you,you certainly have your hands full indeed!

Maybe you can be more assertive with this person,maybe she needs to know who is actually charge nurse,when it's all said & done,your ultimately responsible for everything that happens,& in this case,,care that doesn't happen.

It's your license that you worked so very hard for,on the line.

I wish you luck,my friend:)

Elsie*

You're the professional, Shes the aide, take this to the executive Director. Shes dangerous..

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.

Oh, you guys are great, i have read all your replies, and thank you for the support. She may be in deep ---- because a rez fell on the eve shift, and was yelling for help, this "attendant" claims she never heard anything, and the rez's son is VERY upset with her. Thankfully the rez is okay. I am watching her like a hawk, I care for these people like they are my own family. And the wet bed incident was neglect of the residents basic needs, I made her sign a written warning that stated she would attempt to get the resident up one time, and check the bedding and depends to make sure they are dry if they did not want to get up.

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.
In reply to.Luv2Quilt...

I have a few questions & I hope I don't come off sounding like a B***h,,

Why,first of all is this attendant questioning your nursing judgment?

Why in the world is she even in the med room with you?

Why,is she questioning Dr orders?

Seems to me she thinks she's all that& has abad attitude.

She sounds like a very inaduquate Tech.

You should be writting her up for the sloppy care she is giving.

Also,,leaving the resident in wet,pee soaked linens/clothes is also a form of abuse!

I don't mean to be harping,or come down on you,you certainly have your hands full indeed!

Maybe you can be more assertive with this person,maybe she needs to know who is actually charge nurse,when it's all said & done,your ultimately responsible for everything that happens,& in this case,,care that doesn't happen.

It's your license that you worked so very hard for,on the line.

I wish you luck,my friend:)

Elsie*

You don't sound like a b---- at all! I appreciated your reply! :D

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