I fear my CNAs! lol

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

They are downright mean and bossy. I asked one ofem at night (around 3am) to do a hibaclens bath on a pt. that needed it.

Immediately belittled on how there was only two of them and they had 12 patients each (Med Surg unit at half census), whereas I had 7 patients doing my barbaric chart checks (yes we use paper still ).

And to do it myself if I wanted it done ha. Well I actually did do it myself, put me behind but hey its the principle of the matter, pt needed that care.

This is an everynight deal and all of our night techs (CNA's) are like this except two ofem.

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Hmmm... if this is happening continually, then it's a problem. If it's a once and a while thing, then that's acceptable. I'd explain to them their role, and give them a chance to make it up to you. If not, time to have a meeting with the manager.

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Specializes in Trauma/Surg, Home Care.

well, don't even get me started on this topic. CNA's at my previous job were horrible. They rarely got accomplished anything but VS. Most of the time, I did the bath, bad and other little things that were supposed to be done by them. I am in my 20's, they are so much older and have no respect for anyone including patients. Now I work for a home care agency and like it much better, because there is no way I'll be doing a bath that a CNA suppose to do. With home care, you are too expensive to do that stuff.

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Specializes in LTC Geri-Psych, Alzheimer's.

I thought I was the only one who had that problem. They spot us weak ones and know that they can get away with their crap with us. Just wait you will have enough. Although it did take me four years to finally be comfortable with demanding that everyone do their job when I finally did things got alot easier for me.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

Are you in a hospital? Be glad you even have CNAs...

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hmm..I was looking at your profile and your experience stated you have less than one year experience. Do you think that is having an impact on how you deal with the CNA's? I know when I was a younger nurse, I had a huge problem dealing with CNA's and delegation. I had many that tried to push me around and told me they had no time to do what I requested and I frequently found I ended up doing things myself which put me behind on my job responsibilities.

I know when I started delegating firmly attitudes seemed to change. I also had no problem writing people up for insubordination. I worked as a tech for a lot of years before I became a nurse so I know what it's like. A key point for me and I think the techs that I work with now realize I'll never ask them to do something so I can sit around and do nothing. Frequently, I'll tell them that I have so and so to do and it would be a huge help for them to perform that task. I've also found it can go a long way to building bridges if you seek their help..for example, I've got the time to do a bath but why don't you come with me and we'll get it done faster?

Ultimately, if you can't get anywhere and it's a repeated problem, you've got to go the manager. The CNA doesn't have a right to refuse a task...that is part of their job. If management won't take a stand, you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle...but again, giving firm direction can really help as well. Hope this helps. :twocents:

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I dont understand some of the nurses out there. I am not a cna. However, I have done Nursing Assistant work. I remember how the nurses treated me and I see the way some nurses treat thier cna's.I will never treat unlicensed employees that way. Maybe its cause they have never been a cna in thier shoes. You should be happy that they are there to help you. They are there to learn from you. Its called leadership!

I have been doing patient care for about 7 years now. Mostly emergency care. I have seen some of the nurses on the floor's bark orders to the cna's while they sit and drink thier coffee and act like thier doing charting. Let me tell you. I was in the military and I never talked to the junior troops as bad as you talk down to some of the cna's. Let me leave you with something and this may be why your getting no cooperation from your cna's. A quote from my favorite movie, " Attitude reflects leadership"

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I am sorry that some of you are experiencing CNA's in nursing facilities, etc., not responding to the needs of patients, thus creating hardships for staff and patients, alike. I am wondering if understaffing plays a part! Not that that is any excuse for a bad attitude and unwilling spirit!

I have been a care provider in private homes (2) over the past 6+ years. One of the many reasons that I have chosen this profession (fairly late in my life), is because I am a strong advocate of ill and/or disabled people having the choice of staying home (when it is possible), and dying at home.

At present, I am going on almost 3 years doing live-in care for a 58-yr. old woman suffering from PICKS disease. I fear, she probably only has 4 - 6 months to live before her Spirit goes to her eternal home. I certainly will miss her!

I desire to continue to serve these particular needs of women. I have a great deal of administrative and medical care experience, but I am wanting to have additional training, and/or certification, so I will not be hindered in applying for a position I am qualified for.

Because of my convictions regarding patients being able to choose to stay home, I will continue to work in private homes. I will be working in the state of CA, and would appreciate any input regarding which training and/or certificate(s) would be better for me to have working in private homes in CA. I know that rules & regulations can vary from state to state. I am considering HHA, CNA, and PCA.

Looking forward to your response(s) and in the meantime...

HOLD FIRM, STAND FAST, AND SOILDER ON!!

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.
I dont understand some of the nurses out there. I am not a cna. However, I have done Nursing Assistant work. I remember how the nurses treated me and I see the way some nurses treat thier cna's.I will never treat unlicensed employees that way. Maybe its cause they have never been a cna in thier shoes. You should be happy that they are there to help you. They are there to learn from you. Its called leadership!

I have been doing patient care for about 7 years now. Mostly emergency care. I have seen some of the nurses on the floor's bark orders to the cna's while they sit and drink thier coffee and act like thier doing charting. Let me tell you. I was in the military and I never talked to the junior troops as bad as you talk down to some of the cna's. Let me leave you with something and this may be why your getting no cooperation from your cna's. A quote from my favorite movie, " Attitude reflects leadership"

Many, many, many nurses started out as STNA's. I don't bark orders, but I do have expectations of my stna's. One, that basic patient care is going to be met. If I ask something to get done, I EXPECT that it will. Not that I am going to find them hiding in a room in the back or watching TV in an empty room. I am one that will clean patients, bath patients, do mouth care, etc. HOWEVER, if I am busy charting and something needs to be done, I am going to delegate this to the STNA. This is part of their job responsibilities. I have actually had them say to me, I have 8 patients you only have 5. My reply? Ok, your right. You go ahead and call the doctor for orders, chart your assessment, pass the meds, do teaching on the new one and go do the 45 minutes of paper work on the new admit. I will go put the patient on the bedpan.

You say your former military? How well would it go over if a Sgt. told an enlisted to go clean the toilets and the enlisted was found watching TV in an empty barrick? Step back and think about what your saying. I know which one of my STNA's I can ask for help and which ones I need to tell in detail what needs to be done. Its called leadership. :nurse:

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I am a CNA and I have seen this sort of thing before. I, personally, would NEVER talk to my nurse like that I and do my best to do the job I am paid to do. I know that there are other CNAs like me, but I know there are also CNAs who are very very different.

I will agree with the previous poster who said you can't continue to let it slide. Some people, whether they are CNAs or anything else in the world, will take advantage if they see you are weak. If they refuse to do something that you ask them to do that is within the scope of their duties, discipline them. Write them up. Discuss it with the nurse manager/DON.

Also, it might help to tell them exactly why what you are asking them to do is important.

It might be easier to just let it go, but at the end of the day, you as the nurse are responsible for those patients and IN CHARGE of those CNAs. Our title itself says it: we are here to aid/assist the nurse. Assert yourself and show them that you will not tolerate them not doing their jobs.

As a sidenote, I will say that I have noticed this kind of behavior much more often in older CNAs and those that are...shall we say, less educated. I think that becoming a CNA should require more education and stricter standards, but that's a whooooole other topic.

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There is a difference between being aggressive and being assertive. In life you MUST be assertive to get anywhere. It is your job as a nurse to delegate to the CNA's. I would demand their respect or else they can find another job. You don't have time to deal with laziness or disrectfull help. Obviously you are not one of the nurses that are lazy and taking advantage of CNA's like other's have stated, you are simply asking them to do their job. If both CNA's and Nurses are doing their jobs correctly, both should feel a high level of pressure to get all that needs done DONE in the time frame. Anything less than that there is probably something that is not being done by one or the other- putting more strain on the other partner. Nurses are ABLE to do basic care, but are expected to do much more than that. CNA's are JUST there to do basic care. If they don't want to do that- then you should have no problem writing them up. Get your respect NOW or else things will get worse for YOU. Did you really work so hard to get where you are to work hard to make other people happy or to fulfill your own life? If you just want to be a people pleaser, then you won't be able to properly care for your patients, because they NEED good CNA's as well as good Nurses. :twocents:

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Specializes in M/S, Tel, ER, Onc, Clinic, MH, Corrections, CC.

I work with very good CNA's! I don't have to tell them twice to do what I ask! My CNA's are like my second brain and remind me do what I need to do; comes in handy especially when I'm very busy. Working in ICU/DOU the nurses don't always get a CNA and sometimes staffing takes the CNA away from us! So, I'm very blessed when I actually do have an aide. Nurses are supposed to take care of the patient; from bedpans, to bathing to IV meds and calling MD's. So, the Aides are the icing on the cake and there to help us.

I had a CNA who was rude to me one time. So, I took her aside in private and got her side of the story and explained what my expectations were and that she was not acting professionally. I was very professional and discreet and she appreciated that. I never had problems from her again. That is the key to resolving problems at work especially in our high stress environment. Don't be afraid of confrontation and don't go to your supervisor (Charge Nurse, etc) when you can handle it yourself, unless the situation gets out of hand. If you are direct, professional, non-accusatory, and discreet, you will get cooperation and respect, as the nurse. Good Luck!

Also, CNA's feel that they are not respected and that nurses look down upon them! And, they have to do a lot of "the dirty work". Yes, that is their job to do the basic nursing functions for us, but let them know that they are important and let them know that you as the nurse, care about them and appreciate their job. Help them when you have down time whether on your patients or another nurse's patients and they will love you and help take good care of your patients with a professional and caring attitude. And just remember, everyone has a bad day now and then at work. So, don't be judgemental!....I learned this from being a CNA b4 becoming a nurse.:rolleyes:

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