Just a 'butt-wiper'

caliotter3 · May 23, 2011

I would just let them have their small-minded laughs. Maybe they will grow tired of it once they learn you won't respond. Or, you might give them a serious-faced retort, such as "I don't make degrading remarks about what you do, why do you feel the need to degrade me?"

Scrubmouse RN · May 23, 2011

I say be honest with them. Don't be all angry and vindictive, just tell them to please stop teasing you because it makes you uncomfortable. Maybe they don't know how their teasing affects you, maybe they think you're in on the joke with them?

Jessicias85 · May 23, 2011

by allowing the mother and in turn the daughter to poke fun at you, you are showing the child that it is OK to make fun of others. I would say something to the mother without the child present. I know she is your daughters friend, but do you really want her hanging out with a future bully?

egglady, LPN · May 23, 2011

Why would you call this person a friend? She sounds like a jealous drama-queen bully to me, and a crappy mother to let her child disrespect an adult like that.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · May 23, 2011

Wow. I can see how a 10-year-old might think that wiping butts is fascinating in a funny way, but it sounds like the comments have crossed the line from playful to straight-up mean, and the mother should know better than to engage in that kind of behavior, never mind encourage it.

I would politely and directly point out how mean and hurtful their comments are, to both of them. I really don't think there's any other tactful way to handle it- Facebook links won't do anything. I'd also be pretty tempted to make fun of whatever this woman does for a living but I don't think I need to say that you shouldn't actually do that, lol. Has this little girl forgotten that her own mother used to wipe HER butt when she was a baby? Let's hope she doesn't follow her mother's example and start treating YOUR kid like a piece of dirt.

AJ_427 · May 23, 2011

I've had people tell me that a lot before they found out what I really do. Once I showed them all the bruises and scratches and I told them what other things I have to deal with at my work, they stopped. When they are 80 years old and incontinent, they will beg for a good soul to change their diaper and "wipe their butts." Don't let this person get to you because this is a very hard job and you should be proud of yourself for doing something that most people would not be able to handle. It is part of being a CNA and as CNA's we are very tough group of people.

PS- It is very disturbing that a mother would basically teach her child things like this. Society today is going downhill.

cmm4ever · May 23, 2011

I would tell them that you feel disrespected, and that you do many other tasks to help people. They may be in the same position one day and need someone like yourselfs help. Do CNA or na's belong to an organization? I am certified as a medical assistant and know they are part of the AAMA. They might have links for you to post.

interceptinglight, CNA · May 23, 2011

Man!! I'd have a hard time with that one. How does your daughter feel about her 'best friend' saying nasty things to your face? What an obnoxious mother she has.

I suppose if it were were me I'd give that 'mother' a quick lecture starting with: "For your information, CNA's are professionals!! Hospitals and long-term care facilities simply couldn't operate without us, nor could nurses do their jobs if it weren't for CNA's!! We're on the front lines of healthcare and we're proud of what we do!!! So stuff it!!!" I'd really go into a tirade and have a hard time keeping my cool if that were me.

I just came across a cool site for CNA training called AVANZA EDUCATION. There is a poem on their home page that's simply wonderful, but I don't know how to post a clickable link. Try pasting this to your address bar, I hope it comes up. It's entitled 'Only A Nurse Aide?' It will bring tears to your eyes :

http://www.avanzaedu.org/only_a_nurse_aide

Let me know if you can access this, otherwise I'll post the entire poem in a reply.

Chin up!!

interceptinglight, CNA · May 23, 2011

Actually, you can just click on that link. OK cool. Post that to your Facebook page!!!

orthonurse55 · May 24, 2011

I started my career as a nurses aid before you had to be certified. I have now been a nurse for 38 years and I teach CNA classes. And I take great offense to this woman and what she is letting her 10 year old daughter say! I would NOT want to work anywhere, especially long term care, without some great CNA's! Remember, you are the nurses eyes! You see them far more often than the nurses do and you know your patients/residents far better than we do. So you are not "butt wipers". You are just about everything to these people and should be respected for what you do!

I agree with some of the posters above - this is plain old fashioned bullying and I would have a private, civil talk with mommy. She's teaching her 10 year old some bad habits. And YOU deserve better!

And that web site with the beautiful poem is wonderful - I will save that and give it to all of my future students! Thank you!

yousoldtheworld · May 25, 2011

Frankly, I'd just refuse to call such a condescending and disrespectful person a "friend", and that would be that. Life's too short to surround yourself with people who treat you like crap.