I am so sick of hearing attitudes from aides. I'm sick of it up to my chin. I can't hear it anymore. I think if an aide gives me attitude tomorrow I am going to flip out. I don't know what to do. They don't want to clean patients, turn patients, take vitals, get water, do a blood sugar, do I/Os, help patients to the bathroom, answer call lights, or anything! I shouldn't have to remind them to do their job... Oh but when I do because it isn't done all I get is attitude. All day with my 6 patients I did my job and I did their job. When I page them over head they don't answer. So i have to stop what I'm doing to put the pt on the bedpan, take them off, get water, ect ect.. I don't mind helping out.. I help out more than most nurses!!! But yet they still give me crap. Most of these aides have been working here for years.. Instead of setting a good example for the younger aides they are teaching them how to have an attitude..
I'm going to my director tomorrow. I can't put up with it anymore.. Either something has to change or I'm leaving. I love my job.. But I hate dealing with this everyday... Every nurse is sick of it.
They aren't even giving baths!! It is absolutely absurd. We've had this problem for a while.. The DON will talk to them and they'll act better for maybe 2 weeks, then it is back to the same ol' attitude.
Are there not any good CNAs anymore? Where are they?
Write each and every occurence up. I know taking time to do this is aggrivating as all h*ll, but you need to do it. Just write it quick, simple, and to the point..hand it to the CNA and be done with it. No long discussions, or going over what is written....it is written and she can read. If you give her a verbal...write...progressive disciplinary action on each occurence. That should take care of it...and if she continues...then move to the next step....even if it is the next day...and give her a written warning...writing...progressive disciplinary action on each occurence...after a few of thes progessive actions she will either quit, be fired, or get her head out of her...ya know.
Are there not any good CNAs anymore? Where are they?
Tiger
*raises hand* Just got recognized by my coworkers - they bought me an Old Navy gift card for my hard work.
If they're not doing their jobs, like baths, I&O's, etc then it needs to be addressed to the DON and you need to go in as a group. Also, if they give you attitude write 'em up. Sounds like they've had warnings before and that has done nothing.
Unfortunately, laziness is everywhere. If this problem doesn't resolve there is always the option of seeking employment elsewhere. I know it sucks, because it's their problem not yours, but it is your license.
some previous posts have made good points: be a *****, be more assertive. but, i used to work at a place like that. the aides behaved that way becuase they know its hard to find good aides. they are allowed to get away with their behavior by management becuase its easier to have some bad apples than to look for good ones. and unfortunately in our line of work nothing happens until someone dies. so, its up to you to wait until that happens or find somewhere else where they dont have any aides or have those who beleive in teamwork. good luck!
I worked with a couple of aides at my last job and I hated working with them. Very lazy, didn't turn patients, didn't answer call lights and then would go on and on about how tired they are. I just wanted to scream "DO your (insert expletive) job because you are making mine harder"
I hate to say but these type or CNA/Techs are quickly becoming the norm. My floor is so fast paced and we deal with such critical patients that this problem is really noticed. I work with one CNA who is older than me and I swear, even if we have the same team together 3 days in a row, she will try to swear up and down that she did not know what patient tasks have to be done (despite detailed report and timely reminders). I.E. accuchecks, post dialysis weights, hell even cardiac cath vital signs! I am soooo tired of this, and I am embarrassed to say that I often do the task, but this is becoming the norm. Other nurses are having the same problem as I am having, we have wrote her up, talked to the nurse manager, ect. I think that hospitals today are so hard up for help they will take what they can get. Last Saturday, after telling her in AM report that a pt had Q2hr accuchecks, I watched her, she did the first 2, then claimed at noon that she did not know that they were still an accucheck, I told her, "well I didn't get around to giving the patient the cure for diabetes during the first med pass, so she should bear with me, but until I do, do the d*mn accuchecks and stop acting like I just walked on water and gave her some sort of revelation when I ask for results." I know I sound like a major "B", but she has been a CNA for more years than I have been alive, mostly on the same floor, she knows the routine better than anyone. I feel bad because she is my elder, but enough is enough, her incompetence can hurt or kill someone. RN's are busy enough without babysitting someone that is getting paid for a service. The last thing I need is for some CNA to give me make believe vital signs or whatever other "con" she thinks she can get away with.
If they behaved "that way", they were not good aides. I love an good aide and work with several. When they get ready to leave at the end of the shift, I make sure to thank them for all their help. Yes, they did their jobs, but a thank you goes a long way. They also know that I am not above getting in there with them to clean up a patient, change a bed, help get a patient up to chair or back to bed. That also goes a long way in terms of respect and cooperation. Those who are lazy are lazy and that will not change.
I completley understand and agree with the nurse who said that you may have to act like a b**** b/c i am a very nice person most of the time. Most of the CNSs/MAs that I work with are very nice, but there are two of them that are extremely lazy and when I see there name next to mine "I immediatley know that i'm going have a bad day". So one say I called them both and explained them that I do not get there pay check so I will no do their jobs. I told them that if that if they are not going to work today, they need to go home. I had a very nice day that day and ever since. Sometimes you have be a b**** to get your point across, which is sad, but work. Good Luck.
I have worked with some good aides and some lazy ones. Unfortunately at my workplace the lazy aides have influenced the good ones.
Some places have a bad subculture. How do you break it up?
We had a PCA for my stepson (VATER, hypoxic brain damage at birth, in diapers, non-verbal, teenager. He was walking around the house, banging on the piano, playing with the TV remote and otherwise enjoying life)
She was good until she got a job at a facility. Then she got the idea that cleaning the poop off him too thoroughly was bad because it would stimulate him to do more too soon. And generally became lazier and less concerned.
Now (vent dependent & mostly immobile after Cardiac Arrest+Aspiration) he's in a facility where non of the staff seem to be lazy, but some of the LPNs and CNAs seem to pay more attention to their schedules than to the pts. That's probably a mgt problem.
I hear you!!! From my experience, the CNA's that are what you are describing are that, CNA's. They are not going to go on to be R.N.'s. Then you have the CNA's that are GREAT and do their jobs whether or not they will go on to be R.N.'s. No matter where you go there will be at least one CNA that won't do anything!! I have this problem of comparing CNA's to me when I was one. For example, I had CNA's that would bring me V/S that were way out of wack and wouldn't try to retake them before coming to me. Knowledge deficit related to laziness. Hang in there, unfortunetly there are two things that will happen after going to your DON. He or she will do something about it or you will be considered a " problem". Employers don't like it when someone identifies a problem with his or her floor. I think its best to leave and avoid getting terminated. I'm not trying to be mean but I have been there. Good Luck!! Also, you are ultimatly responsible for the patient. It's not fair but your the R.N.
This exact thing is one of the reasons I am no longer actively working in a direct patient care environment. There have always been two major caveats for me to continue working; I don't ever want to have to dread going to work and if I ever feel I cannot care for patients safely and in a manner I would want my family members cared for - that's the day I am done. I have left the hospital and gone back three times, hoping each time that things have changed or that I have changed.
I am here to tell you that what you describe is the NORM not the exception. I don't know what it is about administration, but nurses in places where I have worked have been told everything from "don't rock the boat, at least they are warm bodies" to "you nurses don't help the CNA's enough, they really have a tough load" Yeah right, and they clock in at the last possible moment and out as soon as the clock ticks past the full time mark. Meanwhile, we are still passing last meds, charting, giving report and generally making sure everything is ok to pass along so that we hand patients off the way we hope to get them back.
I see where others have said they have worked with a "great" CNA. The sad thing is "pity the good CNA" for she will soon be ostracized, badgered and belittled by the majority as she makes them look bad. I have had CNA's who were great come to me and say they were leaving because they couldn't take the abuse from their peers.
Oh and administration - a write-up - what a joke. They just look at it, shake their head, tell you to "play nice" and go to yet another of their "team building" meetings. As for me, I've finally realized that the old saying "if you can't take the heat.........." applies in more than one way, and have just decided to "stay out of the kitchen". My health is more important than having to put up with the aggravation and I have found there are more opportunities out there.
Let's face it - the pay is awful. Sure can't attract prime personnel that way. But I also believe if you agree to do a job for a certain price then you should do your best.
Specializes in LTC, MED SURG, CARDIAC, TELE, ED, SUPERV.
Unfortunately, this lack of work value is everywhere. I have worked in many nursing areas, from long term care, hospital, to outpatient clinic situations. On a staff of let's say 10 aides, there is usually only one good apple. The other nine are rotten, lazy, cynical and could care less about the patient. These people are immune to the call lights and do not feel they are responsible for assisting patient's with their activities of daily living. Some of the aides can be brought around by positive affirmations when they are successful at caring for a patient. A "thank you" can go a long way. However, in most cases, you have to document everytime they are non compliant with their workload and deliver this to their superior. If the behavior continues, you do this again and again until...well, it is no longer your fight. And then it is time to move on. As a nurse, you need to work in a positive environment that supports good patient care. A place where employees take pride in helping their patient's get on a bed pan, ambulate to the bathroom, brush their hair, anything that you yourself need to have a good quality of life. This may sound like the unattainable, but, it isn't. I have been in your situation. Pulling your hair out for the rest of your career is NOT worth it. Have some respect for yourself and learn that you deserve success in this career.
I used to be a Nursing Assistant. I bent over backwards for my Nurses. I learned so much from them. They were my mentors, then some one suggested I go on to school. I did well in Nursing school due to my mentors. And the experience that I had from working with these Nurses. Unfortunatly the new CNA's aren't always trained well.
On another note, this story can go the other way too. There are fantastic CNA's and Nurses that just are out there to brown nose with their supervisors and assorted MD.
Does this sound like I am a bitter co-worker? Well, I suppose. I have good days and not so good days.
Life is an adventure and so is Nursing. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I know I sound like a major "B", but she has been a CNA for more years than I have been alive, mostly on the same floor, she knows the routine better than anyone. I feel bad because she is my elder, but enough is enough, her incompetence can hurt or kill someone.
RN's are busy enough without babysitting someone that is getting paid for a service. The last thing I need is for some CNA to give me make believe vital signs or whatever other "con" she thinks she can get away with. 
busy-bee
101 Posts
Write each and every occurence up. I know taking time to do this is aggrivating as all h*ll, but you need to do it. Just write it quick, simple, and to the point..hand it to the CNA and be done with it. No long discussions, or going over what is written....it is written and she can read. If you give her a verbal...write...progressive disciplinary action on each occurence. That should take care of it...and if she continues...then move to the next step....even if it is the next day...and give her a written warning...writing...progressive disciplinary action on each occurence...after a few of thes progessive actions she will either quit, be fired, or get her head out of her...ya know.