Hi, so I just had my first clinical this past Saturday, and the CNA that my partner and I were shadowing had some unsettling behaviors... I've read a few posts that were similar to this one, and a lot of responses were things like "you're new to the nursing industry, so things will differ from your class and the real world" or something similar. I understand this, though this particular scenario seems very unprofessional to me, even when trying to view it through the eyes of an experienced CNA or nurse, so I've decided to seek your input anyways.
When my partner and I first approached the CNA we were going to be shadowing, she already looked very annoyed and in a bad mood. I didn't mind, because I knew I was going to be working with her anyway, but that same attitude was directed at the residents of the nursing home we train in. As we were leaving the first room we had gone into, another CNA came inside and asked the resident if he was ready for breakfast, and he said yes, to which our CNA responded with "Oh, so you'll listen to HER but you won't listen to me?" The resident struggled to talk, but eventually we were able to make out "you need to speak in a friendlier tone." She repeated it, "Oh, speak in a friendlier tone?" then walked straight out. The resident looked mad, then he turned to me and said "One day, they'll learn." That was one of the first warning bells.
Other things that went on that day:
- A resident told me that he needed to use the bathroom, twice, and when I told my CNA, she went into his room and told him to go in his briefs. Both times. He didn't want to, so she made him hold his urine while he ate breakfast, and since he needed assistance with eating... It took a long time. When we came back, he again asked for assistance using the bathroom, and again, she told him to just go in his briefs.
- She CONSTANTLY bad-talked her residents, right outside the door, calling them cranky and rude, etc., talking about some of their bad episodes. I don't know how mentally "there" some of those patients were, but I'm sure some of them heard her. She talked loud enough to where I would've been able to clearly understand what she was saying had I been in the room, and I'm sure there must've been some residents who could have, as well.
- When trying to get a urine sample from one resident, the resident accidentally defecated into the bedpan. Both CNAs were laughing about the whole thing and going "ewwwww" the whole time. They kept commenting on how gross and big it was, how she ruined the sample, and talking about how it stank. The resident was laying right there when all of that was being said. I don't think that resident was "all there", but at the same time, to be talking about her like that right in front of her seemed demeaning. When we first came into the room, she also talked about the resident's crankiness, like scoffing about her bad temper as we were standing 5 inches away from her.
- She went to check in on a resident, who had a bag of chips in his hand, and she suddenly demanded to know whether or not he was done with his chips. It just seemed so abrupt and random, and the resident just kind of stared at her blankly and she angrily asked again, "ARE YOU DONE WITH YOUR CHIPS? YES OR NO."
- She and another CNA rolled their eyes and scoffed whenever a resident didn't want to get up in time for breakfast or lunch, as if it was this huge issue and "how dare they".
The whole day was like this, where she bad-talked residents either right next to them, or out in the hallway where they could still potentially hear her. Her tone, was absolutely terrible. She sounded like an annoyed mother, was very short with her residents, and talked to them like a teenager? She's in her early 20s, I'd say, but her tone of voice and her way of speaking was unprofessional, and at times, seemed downright mean. I mentioned to my instructor in private that it seemed that she might've come off as "rough" to the residents, and I said that I knew some things differed from class and real life, but I wanted to confirm that we weren't supposed to tell residents to "go in their briefs" to which she adamantly explained that no, you never do that.
My instructor said that she wanted to know these things, but I didn't go into detail because I wasn't sure if I was just making a big deal out of something small, and I don't want to be a complainer. The more I think about it, however, the more wrong I think it was. I think talking bad about the resident RIGHT as you are standing next to them, as if they weren't there, is absolutely terrible, even if their mind isn't completely there. They might be anxious or depressed that they were in that situation, and then because of mental deterioration and perhaps hormonal problems, they were lashing out. Nevertheless, it's still demeaning to treat them in that manner.
There were other CNAs that my partner and I tagged along with, and they were the complete opposite. They took their time with the residents, and were kind to them even when they were slow, or cranky. They used a kind and respectful tone, and one of the CNAs even went on telling us how to make sure that our residents looked nice before going down to the cafeteria, "pull down their shirts- make sure their stomach is covered and their clothes are straight. Think about how you would want your parents or grandparents treated in a nursing home." It was such a stark contrast, to where I feel like I can't look at the other CNA and pretend that it was normal or OK to act like that.
Is this something I should talk to my instructor about more? She works at this facility and is in charge of the staff. I don't want to complain or start drama, but I also want to do the right thing. I also have 5 more clinicals there. I also might get a temporary job there as a NAR... Am I being overdramatic? I want to hear your input. Thanks ahead of time.
It sounds like with the nursing profession, you can't really escape unsafe ratios, though, huh? At least, I haven't heard anyone on here ever mention that they have safe ratios before lol
Tomorrow I'm going to be better about "taking the reins" and I'm nervous... But I'm also excited to conquer the areas that make me nervous. Of course I would always prefer safe staffing ratios for patient and employee safety, but seeing all the call lights going off also gives me an adrenaline rush. 
ERnurse21594
24 Posts
Hello! I was a CNA for 3 years before I became an RN (passed my NCLEX in May... I start work on Monday so I really haven't done anything as a nurse yet). Unfortunately, this behavior is completely inappropriate, unprofessional, and unsettling, it is very very common. In nursing school, you learn that you always want to try and do as much as you can to preserve the patient's independence and dignity. You have to make sure it is safe for the patient to do so, but you should always keep that in mind. While nursing school is different from the real world, this CNA completely threw that core ideal out the window and betrayed her role. I cannot even imagine someone telling my loved one to just "go in your brief". Not only is that debilitating to one's ego but will indefinitely lead to skin breakdown and infection... not to mention I am sure the CNA ignores that he is at a high risk for bed sores. The other things that you mentioned just absolutely disgusted me. Here the thing: while I am not defending the CNA, several nursing homes (which I am assuming that's where your clinical was at), are severely understaffed. And while that is not an excuse by any means for her behavior, it can be a result of the situation.
This is why I left my nursing home job. I was placed in a unsafe work environment for both myself and the patients, and I didn't want that liability to ruin me for nursing before I had even started.
I applaud you for wanting to speak up about this. Think about yourself and your end goals and the type of CNA you want to be and hold onto those values. Standing up for your profession and the patients should never bring you any shame. This kind of behavior should not be tolerated. You are not being dramatic. Good luck and let us know what happens (I am sorry if you already posted and I haven't seen it yet). Good luck to you and your new journey as a CNA! It is very hard work - but try and remember why you decided to go into the profession to begin with.