Is it time to quit?

[Noob_to_Nursing]

Am finally getting into the groove of being a new CNA. So, while a fellow CNA was on break (or so I thought because they asked if I could take care of a female patient because I'm a female and he's not), I helped another of his patients go to the bathroom.

Apparently, this CNA told that patient earlier that it wasn't morning yet and that the patient should sleep when the patient requested to go to the bathroom. The nurse runs into the bathroom and tells me I shouldn't have transferred the patient by myself (even though I did it okay) because the patient was wobbly (granted this is my first night back in like a week and no one tells me this).

The nurse calls the CNA to take care of his patient but at this point is fuming because I got the patient up to go the bathroom. The CNA turns to me and very seriously says, "I'm going to hurt you." before returning to an argument with the nurse.

I walked away to have them argue and went on my break to cry. Honestly, everyone says that he's sarcastic, etc., but every shift that I end up being with him on...he makes it a point to make me feel that I don't belong there.

I have no problems with the residents or the other CNAs.

What do I do?

[OCNRN63, RN]

I agree with the poster who said that if you are not familiar with the patient's care/activity level/restrictions, etc you should check with the nurse. The patient asking to get up could be on bed rest for one reason or another. I'm not sure where you work but on my floor, we often have patients on strict bed rest because of spinal cord surgery or stroke precautions and getting them up if their order is "bed rest" would be a big no-no.

Why was the other CNA upset? Because you got the patient up and he wanted the patient to sleep until morning or because the nurse called him to come take care of his patient?

You cannot get into the habit of quitting every time someone is mean to you. There would be no staff on my unit if we all did this.

There is a world of difference between someone who is "being mean," and a verbal threat of physical violence. I can't believe how many people are glossing over this. Even if she shouldn't have gotten the patient up without assistance, that does not mean she should tolerate threats of bodily harm in retaliation.

[northernguy]

You should definitely report the "im going to hurt you comment". This isnt the line of work people who make statements like that should be doing. If this guy is so short tempered or prone to being mean or cruel, its time for him to look for a different career field, because health care definitely isnt for him.

If he makes a coworker feel uncomfortable around him all the time, I wonder how he makes the residents feel.

[suanna]

You could be a bit thin skinned- I've been known to make sarcastic comments that were WAY TOO cutting than I intended them to be. Or,is is possible you got that comment after the straw broke the camels back? Is there something you are doing that is getting under your peers skin? Is there someone you work with that can have a frank, honest conversation with you to see if you are "asking for it". Please, understand-I'm not advocating workplace violence. It may just be there is something you could do differently to make the unit happier all around. A good start would be when you get one of these verbal barbs- Stop, don't react, clairify. Tell the person you feel targeted by these comments and want to know what is prompting these remarks. It may be he really just being flip and doesn't mean to be hurtful.

[northernguy]

It doesnt really matter if the guy was joking or not, obviously the poster didnt find it amusing and it made them feel uncomfortable, which was likely the intention of the comment. This is a people job, if you either arent able to gauge the effect of your behavior on others, dont care how it effects them, or worse of all enjoy making others feel uncomfortable, then working with people who are often helpless and totally dependant is a bad idea. Some people try to mask bullying behavior as humor, so regardless of whether he was joking, it should be reported. As a male aide he should be extra careful of making comments like that.

[Wezwii]

Lets get real here! The other CNA was too lazy to get the patient up. He would rather have the patient wet the bed and leave her in the urine until morning rounds. You made him look bad. He wants to train you to accept the easy way out & not rock the boat even when it puts the patient @ risk. You find a lot of losers like this unfortunately. You did NOTHING wrong. he is a LAZY bully. Your choice is report him & quit or prepare to think on your feet the next time he wants to belittle you. Be ready with a come-back...and report him.

[Wezwii]

Btw:it is uncomfortable to confront problems like this but they will respect you for it.

[Wezwii]

If this threatening comment spilled out of his mouth so easily, then WHAT does he say to residents??? Hmmmm scary thought.

[nursel56]

He probably got very angry because you may have disrupted his plans which may have included doing something more pressing while the man stayed in bed a while longer.

I think we'd need to know more about his expession and tone to decide whether it was a joke or a threat. There are people (not too many I'll admit) who can say that and it's clearly not meant seriously. One of my non-mobile vent patients would say it sometimes (disability didn't kill sense of humor).

I probably wouldn't do anything with a patient without checking with his nurse or CNA first, though.

[young_gun_np]

Geez, I wouldn't want to be a CNA in the first. Do so much work for little pay!

[Merlyn]

Report him to your supervisor.

[Noob_to_Nursing]

Thanks all for the replies. I think I've decided that this is it for me. I admire all of you CNAs and healthcare professionals for your strong spines and thick skins. Thanks again for the constructive criticism and advice. Good luck in your healthcare careers!!!

[Ev1987]

I think it's time for him to quit!