I am interested in finding out how other CNA's respond to being yelled at by their superiors.
There was an incident at the facility I work for where the Charge Nurse humiliated a CNA who had been there for a month, really bad, in front of co-workers, patients, and guests. The newbie CNA listed impassively without responding and went back to her job leaving me to think, "Wow, she's got really strong shoulders. She'll do great here." Well, that very night the newbie went home and sent the DON an email saying she was quitting.
I get snapped at, barked at, dismissed, etc. all the time. In the beginning it bothered me. After four years I hardly notice anymore. These nurses, I realize, get stressed out and especially after working a long shift their fuses are short. And of course as a CNA, when everyone is your superior, it just happens all the time. I'd like to know if other CNA's are bothered by this kind of treatment, or if you just get used to it. And also, what is the professional way to deal with a Nurse just letting loose like that and embarassing you?
I am not yet a CNA but just finished my clinical rotations for the program. I had a nurse that had yelled at me and made me feel stupid but I let it roll off my shoulders, accepted responsibility for my actions (the patient had just been rolled back from x-ray, the cath bag was on the mattress and when I emptied it I put it back on the mattress instead of hanging it on the rail - I didn't know but I also didn't ask). I just apologized to the nurse and lessoned learned. An hour later she was asking if I wanted to come see a really cool procedure and she actually complemented me on how good of a job I did throughout the day.
So, I think that yelling at people is not called for but I do think there are ways to handle it that are also not called for.
I know this question is directed at other CNA's and I am a RN but I want to chime in here anyway. CNA's are a valuable part of the team. I know without CNA's my job would be more difficult. I do not feel I am superior to anyone, I just have more education and therefore a different job description. I also think that there are some RN's that will talk badly to other RN's so I dont think its restricted to job title. For some reason and I think the reason is these people need a way to make themselves feel better about themselves so by making others feel bad or stupid they make themselves feel "superior". No one is more superior than anyone else....we all have our different levels of educatin and therefore different job descriptions. I agree with the poster who said that people will treat you the way you let them treat you.
If you come off as lacking self confidence then you are a easy target for these kind of people because they know that you will not question them or demand respect from them. Its sad really that some people have the need to see other people unhappy or made to feel stupid in order for them to be happy or make themselves appear more knowledgable.....when the problem with them is their lack of self confidence.
This happens in all walks of life in and out of the workplace.
If you demand respect for yourself then you will receive it however if you just sit back and take the yelling and harassment then it will continue.
It's not always the RN who is at fault. There is one CNA on my unit who hates her job so much and is usually MIA. I would never ask her to help me in any way even if I was running around with my hair on fire. This person is the type to run to the DON instead of speaking directly to the RN like an adult. The disrespect can go both ways.
. These nurses, I realize, get stressed out and especially after working a long shift their fuses are short. And of course as a CNA, when everyone is your superior, it just happens all the time. I'd like to know if other CNA's are bothered by this kind of treatment, or if you just get used to it. And also, what is the professional way to deal with a Nurse just letting loose like that and embarassing you?
To me, if a nurse cannot keep her professional composure, then that same nurse needs professional help...bottom line.
I don't buy into the excuse that people snap at others in a work place (or anywhere) because "I'm stressed out" or "I'm having a bad day" or "You just don't know what I'm going through."
I have worked for people that have done the same thing to me. The professional way to handle people like that is when you calm down, ask to speak to the person privately, and then say very, very firmly:
"We are on the same team. My entire job rests in helping you. I am more than happy to help you or else I wouldn't be here. However, I speak respectful to you and as one human to another, I think I deserve the same level of respect that I readily give you."
Then look at them dead in the eye and say, "Ok...is there something specific that you need me to do or correct?"
Then end the conversation with, "Next time, all you have to do is ask."
These people who "go off" like that have ego problems and addressing the issue specifically, just puts them on the defense, which almost always leads to an argument...that way you get your point across without rehashing it.
99% of the time, without fail, you'll get an apology.
The one time I didn't, I was working for this incredibly arrogant lady that used it as an opportunity to just mentally unload on me and she was out of control. I called her boss the next day, set up a meeting, and during this meeting I didn't think my complaint was going anywhere, so I put in my notice and quit.
I wished I hadn't...because I found out that my direct supervisor was fired later on that month....her supervisor only kept her in place for her own convenience until she could find a replacement.
Here is a case where this will almost never work: If the person verbally abusing you (b/c to me, that is what that is), has a BOSS that does the same thing....then you will be out of luck.
I have learned that people only do in a job what they think they can get away with and it always starts at the top.
I am not yet a CNA but just finished my clinical rotations for the program. I had a nurse that had yelled at me and made me feel stupid but I let it roll off my shoulders, accepted responsibility for my actions (the patient had just been rolled back from x-ray, the cath bag was on the mattress and when I emptied it I put it back on the mattress instead of hanging it on the rail - I didn't know but I also didn't ask). I just apologized to the nurse and lessoned learned. An hour later she was asking if I wanted to come see a really cool procedure and she actually complemented me on how good of a job I did throughout the day.
So, I think that yelling at people is not called for but I do think there are ways to handle it that are also not called for.
I'm glad she did that...but I'll be honest, don't be surprised if it doesn't happen again.
Most of the time, when you don't do anything to defend yourself...you give that person permission to do it again because they know that there are no consequences to their actions.
The only time I usually let it go is if I know the person very, very well and the behavior is very unusual for them or if I will gain absolutely nothing (and lose alot) by speaking up.
This summer when I was externing I had a charge nurse that really, really seemed focused on me and was very snippy. I didn't say anything to her because I was there only for the summer, and I had everything to lose because I wasn't an RN...PLUS I hadn't been there long enough to know the politics involved of who was "in" with who. So had to keep my mouth shut...but had I been employed there as an RN...oh yeah, would have been a different story.
I HATE it when nurses call CNAs on stuff in front of everyone. It's so unprofessional. One time a nurse lectured me about not reporting a high temp at the end of the night in front of every other CNA and nurse on my wing and the neighboring wing. And the thing is I had given her the paper with the VS and the temp circled 4 HOURS earlier. But I was the one who had to look and feel stupid... publicly.
There is this other nurse who goes out of her way to yell at me (even when I'm not working with her and for things that everyone else does with no problem- not safety or neglect issues), but at least she does it in private.
I'm glad she did that...but I'll be honest, don't be surprised if it doesn't happen again.
Most of the time, when you don't do anything to defend yourself...you give that person permission to do it again because they know that there are no consequences to their actions.
The only time I usually let it go is if I know the person very, very well and the behavior is very unusual for them or if I will gain absolutely nothing (and lose alot) by speaking up.
This summer when I was externing I had a charge nurse that really, really seemed focused on me and was very snippy. I didn't say anything to her because I was there only for the summer, and I had everything to lose because I wasn't an RN...PLUS I hadn't been there long enough to know the politics involved of who was "in" with who. So had to keep my mouth shut...but had I been employed there as an RN...oh yeah, would have been a different story.
Since I was only there for 2 days I didn't make a big issue of it either. If that were to continue to happen I agree with you. I would pull the person aside and talk with them firmly. But, I also believe in learning something from every experience and taking people with a grain of salt. If I were to get upset every time someone were to talk to me with attitude and take it personally, I think that I would be a very unhappy and stressed out person. Not that it happens all the time. :nuke:
I'm a PCA with a bachelor's degree (behavioral science & health policy). So it's not always the case of the RN having more education than the nurse aide.
Only once did I receive public humuliation from a charge nurse who was working the previous shift who incorrectly assumed that I was attempting to change the patient assignment sheet that she created. Several of the nurse aides were looking at their room assignments and one proclaimed "this isn't right!". Nurses and aides are usually assigned the same patients when working consecutive days. Well this charge nurse literally ran up to me and yelled directly at me "Just WHO do YOU think YOU are?"
It was clear that she was implying that I was inferior. Or rather SHE thought of me as inferior. I was still rather new on the job and just looked at her as if she was crazy. I didn't say a word. But tears did well up in my eyes. I walked away toward my assigned rooms. That nurse that yelled at me didn't apologize. She sent someone else to do it.
I was hesitant to take this sort of job because this is EXACTLY the kind of treatment I thought I would receive. And I was humuliated! I have a college degree and am working what some may consider to be a "lowly" job. And I actually have more formal education than the woman who yelled at me. My plan was or maybe is to get another bachelor's degree in nursing. But after seeing how some of the nurse's treat each other and how some of the docs treat the nurses I'm seriously reconsidering my career plan.
Another interesting situation occured in a patient's room. I was caring for the patient (behind the curtain) in bed 2 while the RN was assessing the patient in bed 1. That patient's family member made a comment to the nurse about how nice it must be that the RN doesn't have to waste time doing the dirty work because she went to school and has a DEGREE.:icon_roll
I felt like ripping that curtain open and telling that woman a thing or two! But I just quietly giggled to myself...'hehehe!! I have twice the degree and gee I must really enjoy cleaning up poops and peeps!
Almost all of the RN's that I work with treat the aides
Maybe I'll go to human resources later this week and request the letters "B.A." be added to my name badge.
I take my job seriously but often play the bubbly airhead persona. I'm just a cheerful smiling idiot, hehe! I'm still trying to figure out why some of the docs don't even look at me or acknowledge me when I pass them in the hallway and greet them with a "GOOD MORNING!" or "Hello!". Maybe I smell like poop or something?
I was a CNA for over 12 years and I will never understand what makes a person think it's ok to disrespect another person. Without the cna, life would be much harder for staff and pts. When we came across nurses like that, we would always be busy. I hate to say that, but there were some nurses that would be just plain rude to the CNA's. When that happens enough, CNA's will band together and not help that nurse. That results in a bad night for the nurse. Who does it affect most though, the patient.
I vow to always appreciate other workers, especially those that are on my team. I've seen plenty of nurses get their hands just as dirty as cna's and in May 2009 when I finally graduate, I will get just as dirty as any member of my team. Just because I'll have rn after my name doesnt' mean I'm above anyone.
I'm a PCA with a bachelor's degree (behavioral science & health policy). So it's not always the case of the RN having more education than the nurse aide.
Only once did I receive public humuliation from a charge nurse who was working the previous shift who incorrectly assumed that I was attempting to change the patient assignment sheet that she created. Several of the nurse aides were looking at their room assignments and one proclaimed "this isn't right!". Nurses and aides are usually assigned the same patients when working consecutive days. Well this charge nurse literally ran up to me and yelled directly at me "Just WHO do YOU think YOU are?"
It was clear that she was implying that I was inferior. Or rather SHE thought of me as inferior. I was still rather new on the job and just looked at her as if she was crazy. I didn't say a word. But tears did well up in my eyes. I walked away toward my assigned rooms. That nurse that yelled at me didn't apologize. She sent someone else to do it.
That's really tacky. She was bold enough to yell and accuse you of something you didn't do, but yet was to chicken to come up to you face-to-face and apologized.
I was hesitant to take this sort of job because this is EXACTLY the kind of treatment I thought I would receive. And I was humuliated! I have a college degree and am working what some may consider to be a "lowly" job. And I actually have more formal education than the woman who yelled at me. My plan was or maybe is to get another bachelor's degree in nursing. But after seeing how some of the nurse's treat each other and how some of the docs treat the nurses I'm seriously reconsidering my career plan.
I'll be joining the club pretty soon. I'm sticking to my goal of becoming nurse. I'm not letting anyone who is angry, self-centered with low self-esteem keep me from doing what I want in life.
Another interesting situation occured in a patient's room. I was caring for the patient (behind the curtain) in bed 2 while the RN was assessing the patient in bed 1. That patient's family member made a comment to the nurse about how nice it must be that the RN doesn't have to waste time doing the dirty work because she went to school and has a DEGREE.:icon_roll
I felt like ripping that curtain open and telling that woman a thing or two! But I just quietly giggled to myself...'hehehe!! I have twice the degree and gee I must really enjoy cleaning up poops and peeps!
I wouldn't want an RN with no respect or compassion for others to be my nurse. I don't care what or how many degrees she has.
Almost all of the RN's that I work with treat the aides
Maybe I'll go to human resources later this week and request the letters "B.A." be added to my name badge.
I take my job seriously but often play the bubbly airhead persona. I'm just a cheerful smiling idiot, hehe! I'm still trying to figure out why some of the docs don't even look at me or acknowledge me when I pass them in the hallway and greet them with a "GOOD MORNING!" or "Hello!". Maybe I smell like poop or something?
I wouldn't take that personally. I've worked with plenty of people with very advanced degrees and most of them act the same way. Don't let that change you!
no matter if you are a RN LPN or CNA we are all part of the healthcare team and all have a VERY important part in the process, that nurse was out of hand and should be embarassed by her low level of professionalism that she showed in that alteration. I agree that telling her to meet in a private place with the DON present is the way to go. I am a CNA in my last month of nursing school and i feel that because of my experience as already being an aide i will never treat someone without respect like that.
Pauligirl unfortunately that does sound familiar, and I'm sure it must be even more so working in a hospital. I think its really sad that people who supposedly have dedicated their lives to helping the sick are capable of treating other people so disdainfully on a daily basis.
I walked away toward my assigned rooms. That nurse that yelled at me didn't apologize. She sent someone else to do it.
And I actually have more formal education than the woman who yelled at me. My plan was or maybe is to get another bachelor's degree in nursing. But after seeing how some of the nurse's treat each other and how some of the docs treat the nurses I'm seriously reconsidering my career plan.
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CBsMommy
825 Posts
I am not yet a CNA but just finished my clinical rotations for the program. I had a nurse that had yelled at me and made me feel stupid but I let it roll off my shoulders, accepted responsibility for my actions (the patient had just been rolled back from x-ray, the cath bag was on the mattress and when I emptied it I put it back on the mattress instead of hanging it on the rail - I didn't know but I also didn't ask). I just apologized to the nurse and lessoned learned. An hour later she was asking if I wanted to come see a really cool procedure and she actually complemented me on how good of a job I did throughout the day.
So, I think that yelling at people is not called for but I do think there are ways to handle it that are also not called for.