How to handle lazy CNA's?

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 1, 2017

Stop considering her as a "friend". Stop asking her "nicely" and giving her a depressed look when she refuses. Report this behavior, each and every time to the charge nurse. CNA's are required to work as a team.

Flatline, BSN, RN · May 1, 2017

Keep in mind that the CNA makes little more than minimum wage for the worst back breaking work. There are definitely bad apples but I always had a great deal of respect for the hard work they go through for the little money they get. I spent 2 years as a CNA and never again.

If she is truly lazy I would open a dialogue with her to discuss how you can work together, maybe better workload planning or a shift of duties. Like with many issues, communication goes a long way to resolving them.

Purple_roses · May 1, 2017

Keep in mind that the CNA makes little more than minimum wage for the worst back breaking work. There are definitely bad apples but I always had a great deal of respect for the hard work they go through for the little money they get. I spent 2 years as a CNA and never again.
If she is truly lazy I would open a dialogue with her to discuss how you can work together, maybe better workload planning or a shift of duties. Like with many issues, communication goes a long way to resolving them.

The thing here though is that nobody is holding a gun to her head and forcing her to work as a CNA. I was a CNA for 3.5 years. It sucks to get stuck with the worst job duties while barely scraping by. But if you're not up for the job, then work elsewhere. I had friends in retail making more than I was as a CNA. If you sign a contract that you'll be part of a team and take the agreed upon compensation for it, then you do your job. And if you can't do that, you leave.

The OP wasn't asking the CNA to do her work for her. She wasn't ordering the CNA to do all the dirty work while the OP ate truffles in the break room. She wanted to partner with the CNA, who had nothing left to do but chart at that moment in time.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · May 1, 2017

Keep in mind that the CNA makes little more than minimum wage for the worst back breaking work. There are definitely bad apples but I always had a great deal of respect for the hard work they go through for the little money they get. I spent 2 years as a CNA and never again.
If she is truly lazy I would open a dialogue with her to discuss how you can work together, maybe better workload planning or a shift of duties. Like with many issues, communication goes a long way to resolving them.

I was a CNA for 5 yrs -- 3.5 in LTC. I never would have dreamt of not doing my job, regardless of the pay *that I agreed to*

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · May 1, 2017

Stop considering her as a "friend". Stop asking her "nicely" and giving her a depressed look when she refuses. Report this behavior, each and every time to the charge nurse. CNA's are required to work as a team.

This. She doesn't get to "agree" to help "if no one else will." Everyone at work is required to do their jobs. Her grumbling should not be met with a depressed look; it should be met with a frank discussion about professionalism, work ethics, and teamwork. Refusals need to be written up.

SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN · May 2, 2017

Meet it head on. Ask her why she isn't willing to help you, be non-confrontational and laid back about the whole deal. Say something to the effect of "Hey when we work together we get a lot done, is there a reason why sometimes your not as willing to help out? We could both help each other get our assignments done if we tag team."

Ecs268 · May 2, 2017

The laziest one's usually have the biggest mouths. Talking about all the hard work they do/ have done(while sitting down). If you play "nicey-nicey" with them, they just keep on taking advantage of you, which says a lot about what kind of people they are. If the upper hierarchy at your facility doesn't do anything, when you report them, I would just look for another job. Really not worth your aggravation if management doesn't care. I've run into this sort of thing countless times.

kma89 · Apr 26, 2021

On 5/1/2017 at 10:13 PM, Ecs268 said:

The laziest one's usually have the biggest mouths. Talking about all the hard work they do/ have done(while sitting down). If you play "nicey-nicey" with them, they just keep on taking advantage of you, which says a lot about what kind of people they are. If the upper hierarchy at your facility doesn't do anything, when you report them, I would just look for another job. Really not worth your aggravation if management doesn't care. I've run into this sort of thing countless times.

Oh boy is this ever true. I called one out just recently. She has an awful attitude and I refuse to play nice with her anymore. She disappears for like a half hour or longer at a time and got all mad at me when I reported her to the charge nurse for her awful attitude and the “help” when I asked her. She acts like doing her job is such a burden. I seriously dread it when we work in the same section. I don’t mind helping my CNAs at all and I prefer it to be a collaborative effort. It’s just almost impossible with some other people. With the difficult ones, create a paper trail with reports and write ups. This is not to say all CNAs are bad. I work with some great ones.

TriciaJ, RN · Apr 26, 2021

There is nothing worse than having to carry deadwood. I agree with previous posters: doing her job is not optional and she is not your friend. I would not "ask her why she isn't willing to help". She is not being asked to "help"; she is being expected to do her job for which she expects to be paid.

Here's how you ask "nicely": "I need your help with Mr. Hoyer, please." Anything other than jumping up on the spot is insubordination and needs to be treated as such.

Your only problem will be if management backs her bad attitude and not you.