Intimidation in the workplace

lpnflorida · Jan 20, 2009

I have had a similar experience with only one CNA. I consider myself lucky. I wrote her up after one especially insubordinate occasional. This was the one and only time I had ever written anyone up in 30 years. Things went fine for awhile. A week ago, at the nursing station she loudly announced. Two CNA/S are going to lunch at the same time, well I am not answering any lights while they are gone!! Of course a few of turned around when she stated that. Her next breathe was I am going to start writing this down now as ( me) wrote me up before. I simply stated, you can bring up your issue with the Charge nurse in regards to two CNA/s lunching at the same time, and we all answer lights no matter who is off the floor.

Wish, I could say it changed anything. It didn't. The charge nurse tried to assure this person it was ok for 2 to be off the floor as their were enough staff members available and it was the quiet time of day.. She only continued to grumble... Some people we cannot change. Some people are not capable of being graceful.

I feel her days are most likely numbered, as sooner or later she will irritate or be insubordinate to the wrong person with enough power to do something about it.

PeaceonearthRN · Jan 20, 2009

Hi, yes, intimidation is rampant in the workplace. I often sit back in amazement as to how people conduct themselves, treat each other, belittle new nurses, and have too much time on their hands for gossip and degradation of mind and spirit. Makes you wonder how you ever became a nurse let alone work as one! We need to redefine what is acceptable in the workplace. In spite of having JACO 's new rules about workplace bullying, it continues and it prospers. I am often chided for not 'filling something out' ! Amazing that I barely have time for dinner because I am ALWAYS with my patients and truly try to rotate to see them frequently in spite of the various expectations for documentation, taking off orders, assisting my co-workers etc. I am almost considering going back to my old profession. At least you knew the underpaid human service worker was going to mob and bully you!

Iam46yearsold · Jan 20, 2009

I have never been intimidated nor have I intimidated anyone in the work place. Other than some obnoxious doctors who needed it.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

I will not be intimidated, I will not be intimidated. Repeat that and say is like you mean it.

We all have jobs to do, that is why we are there and that is why we get paid. As long as what you are asking them to do is in the description they should be able to do it.

Make sure what you are asking is realistic.(been a CNA and man...that is tough work).

Speak to your supervisor about the matter and start writting a paper trail.

One place where I worked it was aweful. The CNAs had a run of the floor. Uh, UH. I made a pt of letting them know that if they don't want to work, they can puch out and go home. NOW. The people that are left will work together and get the job done. This was yrs ago before we had to "meet the all mighty staffing #s" Now...it seems like dead wt is okay as long as we "have the numbers" GRRRRR.

JB2007, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

I would remind them of their job title CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant. Their job is to assist the nurse and if they do not want to assist the nurse they can go home. Where I work the aides know that we all work together as a team, but in the end I am the team leader. I will not tolerate insubordination. In the end it is my butt on the line.

praying_mantis · Jan 20, 2009

In my personal experience, as a former CNA and now an RN, alot of it has to do with how nurses "ask" the CNAs for help. When I was a CNA, there were nurses that would say, "You need to empty the foley in room 283", and others who would say, "Whenver you have a minute, can you empty the foley in room 283?" and others who would say, "I went ahead and emptied the foley in room 283 because you look really busy."

Of course, it all depends on personalities. I find that 99% of the CNA's I work with are more than happy to do their jobs, once they realize that I consider them part of the team. The other 1% are just plain insubordinate, impossible to work with, and make your 12 hour shift seem twice as long.

sxybuttrfly · Jan 21, 2009

why is it that it seems all to often supportive staff are in control and "run" the units? i have learned in my experience, that in this case there is a bigger problem; namely in the upper/managerial levels. i resigned from a supervisor position when my director would not back me up when i attempted to discipline supportive staff! i could not continue to work for a place that more or less seemed content with the inadequate, unprofessional staff they employed. if i continued to stay and supervise and do nothing about the wrongs i witnessed, i would be no better than them, and my work ethics and beliefs were obviously different than theirs. good luck to you!

achot chavi · Jan 21, 2009

I think this problem is rampant, when faced with it I remain calm, say as little as possible in response, write up the incident stressing that the poor behavior was done in front of a patient or family.

Your time is worth more and your job description is different, if you are busy doing someone elses job, yours wont get done.

Be consistent and polite but stand your ground. In my experience such staff members usually hang themselves with their own rope.

You're not alone

PeaceonearthRN · Jan 21, 2009

Oh I think attempts to intimidate or humiliate run beyond CNA's. I try very hard to work with my co-workers regardless of their title. It always ceases to amaze me, however, that no matter how hard you work, how hard you try to reach a patient and their needs, someone is going to try and nail you for something. The good news is, when something is not done , I am now obligated to report it to my charge nurse. I am NOT for dinner!

achot chavi · Jan 21, 2009

oh i think attempts to intimidate or humiliate run beyond cna's.
absolutely, which is why i wrote "staff member" and not cna!!

i try very hard to work with my co-workers regardless of their title. it always ceases to amaze me, however, that no matter how hard you work, how hard you try to reach a patient and their needs, someone is going to try and nail you for something.

agreed!!!we are our own worst enemy. we encourage snitches, cave in to pressure and take the easy road by allowing poor behavior in staff simply because it ise easier.
the good news is, when something is not done , i am now obligated to report it to my charge nurse. i am not for dinner!

nothing new- we are always obligated to report it!!!

MelodyRNurse · Jan 21, 2009

Thanks for your replies. I know that it is not only the CNA's I am just having a particularly difficult time with a couple of them. I do ask them nicely. I usually say "When you have time would you..." or "Would you mind...". I would like to be able to continue this way, but I think they are taking advantage of it. I am in a way asking them, not telling them, what to do and they are getting the impression that they have a choice. So now I have to change my tone or I will never get any help. Once they realize that I am not going to put up with it maybe it the rude behavior will subside. I just want to do my job and have the support I need to do it the right way. I just hope that they would never treat a resident the way they have been treating me. That worries me.

Thanks so much for the advice and for letting me vent. I wish my co-workers where as supportive as you all are.