Just got fired -

i_love_patient_care · Jun 13, 2013

I've been taking care of that resident for three months almost daily. And that racial slur shocked me. It's funny how we aren't protected. Is it true that the only state that protects healthcare workers is California?

I'm not sure about the other states, but if we are accused they will investigate it to the fullest. The thing that sucks, though, is as far as I know we don't get backpay on all the days missed while they are investigating

rifetamenkovic11 · Jun 14, 2013

I have worked for bed bath beyond and pay sucks 7.50 an hour lol so no I would never work for them but cna background counts if you keep getting complaints some day you will loose you're license quick like my friend she had a resident call board of nursing and now she can't find cna job for a long time idk just avoid residents complaints

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mintygirl · Jun 14, 2013

I have worked for bed bath beyond and pay sucks 7.50 an hour lol so no I would never work for them but cna background counts if you keep getting complaints some day you will loose you're license quick like my friend she had a resident call board of nursing and now she can't find cna job for a long time idk just avoid residents complaints
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Please don't state things out of context - you'll only end up scaring new CNAs or CNAs who need their job regardless of how bad the working conditions are. You can't give an account to your friends care and I really don't care how well you know her since its all hear-say. The board of nursing only restricts your license if something is documented and proven, not because of half-assed complaints.

With that said, it sounds like the place of employment simply wanted to fire you. Be thankful that you are out of that toxic environment and I know because I can speak from experience. I remember starting real young as a CNA, I was 19 when I got licensed in California. It took me a couple of months to find a CNA job and the place I worked for was beautiful. The CNA's I worked with had 10+ years experience and did not mind training me, showing me tricks to make the job easier on the patients and myself. Higher staff had issues with themselves but they never abused the CNA's or took it out on us because we were the ones always doing the heavy lifting.

Then they got bought out by a new company and I had to quit due to school. After I adjusted to school and decided I wanted to work again because I had most of my classes out of the way I took a job in an upscale area thinking it'd be even better than my 1st time. And boy was I wrong. The staff was so lazy and patients weren't called patients but clients, I felt like a slave that had been purchased because they just deemed and humiliated cna's left and right. I was furious because I knew how things were and I watched them fire cna's with 10+ years exp left and right because they didn't chart vitals at 9:30 but 9:32, small things like that.

The new CNA's came in weren't always licensed and had only worked in Home care prior.

Anyways it comes down to money. More experienced cna's cost more than new ones because they know their stuff. Not just with patients but their rights, legality and they know how to speak up not just puff up like a high school kid. They have grounds of documentation and know what to do in almost any and every situation.

I had a racist patient who said I was an evil wetback lol which makes me laugh to do this day. I didn't take offense to it but she said I scared her and they did all kinds of tricks to try to write me up. Eventually I quit after two months and the Rn's who were forced to try and write me up where fired as well.

You never really know what's going on with a place - there could be new management coming on, they could be a for profit skilled nursing facility (this is important because people overlook this and think it doesn't concern them, when it should and does). You could have just been the first to go, etc, things like that. If your coworkers weren't willing to stand behind you or were lazy in their remarks about you and tried to cover themselves, I wouldn't sweat it. Chances of the same thing will happen to them and eventually all new cna's will be brought in and the rest will just be fired.

But it doesn't change the fact that patient's words are like God, I understand that they are entitled to their say so and care, etc, but getting a cna fired just because they don't like them is happening a lot.

Jessicainsantafe · Jun 16, 2013

blondebabe- I am so sorry you got fired. That being said, remember that this will not be your only job in your life, and if you believe that you gave the best care to the resident that you were able to give, then don't feel too poorly about it. Just make sure that if you want to remain in health care, you get this straightened out so you don't have a negative mark against you. Sometimes a job and a person are just not a good fit. I left the LTC where I worked for only 4 days, because I knew if I stayed, I probably would've been fired too since I wasn't one of the speedy CNA's. I work home health only now so I can care for one person at a time...not so much rush, rush, rush.

Good luck with your move and your next job...I'm sure you'll be just fine.

blondebabe0625 · Jun 17, 2013

Please don't state things out of context - you'll only end up scaring new CNAs or CNAs who need their job regardless of how bad the working conditions are. You can't give an account to your friends care and I really don't care how well you know her since its all hear-say. The board of nursing only restricts your license if something is documented and proven, not because of half-assed complaints.
With that said, it sounds like the place of employment simply wanted to fire you. Be thankful that you are out of that toxic environment and I know because I can speak from experience. I remember starting real young as a CNA, I was 19 when I got licensed in California. It took me a couple of months to find a CNA job and the place I worked for was beautiful. The CNA's I worked with had 10+ years experience and did not mind training me, showing me tricks to make the job easier on the patients and myself. Higher staff had issues with themselves but they never abused the CNA's or took it out on us because we were the ones always doing the heavy lifting.
Then they got bought out by a new company and I had to quit due to school. After I adjusted to school and decided I wanted to work again because I had most of my classes out of the way I took a job in an upscale area thinking it'd be even better than my 1st time. And boy was I wrong. The staff was so lazy and patients weren't called patients but clients, I felt like a slave that had been purchased because they just deemed and humiliated cna's left and right. I was furious because I knew how things were and I watched them fire cna's with 10+ years exp left and right because they didn't chart vitals at 9:30 but 9:32, small things like that.
The new CNA's came in weren't always licensed and had only worked in Home care prior.
Anyways it comes down to money. More experienced cna's cost more than new ones because they know their stuff. Not just with patients but their rights, legality and they know how to speak up not just puff up like a high school kid. They have grounds of documentation and know what to do in almost any and every situation.
I had a racist patient who said I was an evil wetback lol which makes me laugh to do this day. I didn't take offense to it but she said I scared her and they did all kinds of tricks to try to write me up. Eventually I quit after two months and the Rn's who were forced to try and write me up where fired as well.
You never really know what's going on with a place - there could be new management coming on, they could be a for profit skilled nursing facility (this is important because people overlook this and think it doesn't concern them, when it should and does). You could have just been the first to go, etc, things like that. If your coworkers weren't willing to stand behind you or were lazy in their remarks about you and tried to cover themselves, I wouldn't sweat it. Chances of the same thing will happen to them and eventually all new cna's will be brought in and the rest will just be fired.
But it doesn't change the fact that patient's words are like God, I understand that they are entitled to their say so and care, etc, but getting a cna fired just because they don't like them is happening a lot.

How can an incompetent patient get me fired like that? She has dementia and I was doing my job right. I have always been sweet to her and the other residents. The coworker who wrote me up had been working there for the past 7 years.

It's hard to get another job when healthcare turnover rates are so high. It looks like i can't hold a job now.

blondebabe0625 · Jun 17, 2013

Thanks @jessicainsantefe

ksrn20 · Jun 17, 2013

I'm sorry you got fired however, I do see this a little differently. You state quite a few times that the resident has dementia and "doesn't even know what meal she's going to or what time of day it is". Then my question would be first of all is she safe enough to leave alone in the bathroom for a period time long enough that you were walking other residents in the hall? And secondly maybe she thought she had pushed the button and ended up sitting there for a while waiting. The worst thing you could have done would be to be defensive and argumentative with her especially since she has dementia.

Are you sure you didn't mention something to the other aide who answered the call bell about her being mean to you? Because my guess is if you asked someone to grab the bell for you "right as you were going in", you provided a reason. And by your posts we can see how frustrated you are.

What kind of law of protection are you looking for? I understand the resident offended you BUT she has dementia!!! I hope you understand what goes on in the brain and if not I would recommend reading into it. It's an absolutely terrible disease and the last thing in the world we want to do is take action against someone who has no idea what they are saying. We in healthcare are the ones who are supposed to understand this and use our compassion, empathy, and understanding. If you are truly that sensitive that you feel you need a law of protection against these patients, I would suggest looking into a different field or at least a different type of unit.

And lastly calling this patient incompetent and the other terms you have used to describe her is terribly disrespectful. These patients deserve respect and dignity. And we of all people should understand this.

blondebabe0625 · Jun 17, 2013

And as far as ksrn20-

no.

I'm going to be a great nurse.

Thanks anyways.

mintygirl · Jun 18, 2013

How can an incompetent patient get me fired like that? She has dementia and I was doing my job right. I have always been sweet to her and the other residents. The coworker who wrote me up had been working there for the past 7 years.
It's hard to get another job when healthcare turnover rates are so high. It looks like i can't hold a job now.

The only thing I can state is that charting would be your ultimate line of defense and when your written up, you are allowed to put down your statement. Next time follow it up the chain of command to ensure that you are heard. If it was just a one time thing and they fired you though, then it sounds like they just wanted to.

They hire and fire a lot of CNA's in the place setting I worked at. They fired someone who was 2 weeks there and someone who was 20' so your place of employment matters. And CNA is plenty, it might take awhile but keep looking.

ComeTogether, LPN · Jun 19, 2013

A patient yelling at you like that and a patient who has dementia yelling at you like that are two different things. With demented people we need to remember that "perception is reality" It may have actually only been two minutes, but if she perceives it to have been 30...that's what it was. If you argue with a demented person it will get you nowhere and only make them more confused and upset. You should never, ever, ever argue with a demented person. You just say "I'm very sorry" and move on.

It is unfortunate that she called you a racial slur, but it certainly happens with demented people. Its upsetting and hurtful for sure, and should be reported to the nurse so it can be documented. As far as escalating it more than that, there would be no point as the pt. literally doesn't know what they are doing/saying.

As far as your question as to why you got fired or how the patient can get you fired.....just arguing with a demented patient like that would be enough in most places.

I am not trying to make you feel bad or berate you. Hopefully you learn from it and move on.

ksrn20 · Jun 19, 2013

A patient yelling at you like that and a patient who has dementia yelling at you like that are two different things. With demented people we need to remember that "perception is reality" It may have actually only been two minutes, but if she perceives it to have been 30...that's what it was. If you argue with a demented person it will get you nowhere and only make them more confused and upset. You should never, ever, ever argue with a demented person. You just say "I'm very sorry" and move on.
It is unfortunate that she called you a racial slur, but it certainly happens with demented people. Its upsetting and hurtful for sure, and should be reported to the nurse so it can be documented. As far as escalating it more than that, there would be no point as the pt. literally doesn't know what they are doing/saying.
As far as your question as to why you got fired or how the patient can get you fired.....just arguing with a demented patient like that would be enough in most places.
I am not trying to make you feel bad or berate you. Hopefully you learn from it and move on.

Exactly! I seriously thought maybe I had gone crazy because of my thoughts as everyone seemed to support and agree with OP. Glad to see someone agreed with my thoughts exactly!

mclennan, BSN, RN · Jun 19, 2013

A patient yelling at you like that and a patient who has dementia yelling at you like that are two different things. With demented people we need to remember that "perception is reality" It may have actually only been two minutes, but if she perceives it to have been 30...that's what it was. If you argue with a demented person it will get you nowhere and only make them more confused and upset. You should never, ever, ever argue with a demented person. You just say "I'm very sorry" and move on.
It is unfortunate that she called you a racial slur, but it certainly happens with demented people. Its upsetting and hurtful for sure, and should be reported to the nurse so it can be documented. As far as escalating it more than that, there would be no point as the pt. literally doesn't know what they are doing/saying.
As far as your question as to why you got fired or how the patient can get you fired.....just arguing with a demented patient like that would be enough in most places.
I am not trying to make you feel bad or berate you. Hopefully you learn from it and move on.

THANK YOU. Dementia is a difficult condition to manage, and in my years of experience as both a CNA and RN, arguing with a demented patient, no matter how rude they were or what expletives they uttered, would definitely be grounds for discipline or termination. And definitely more education on what dementia is, and how to manage it compassionately and humanely.

Mostly, they don't know what they are saying, and when they do, they might not remember why what they're saying is offensive. These are people with holes in their brains where reason and social decorum used to exist. Most are scared. Some are angry about their aging and pain and isolation and have lost the ability to express that anger appropriately. Most have lost their sense of time, place, and powers of deduction. This is an illness over which they have no control. Sometimes they're completely aware of their loss of self, sometimes not. Imagine feeling that way, how frightening that would be. Dementia strips people down to their bare bones of survival instincts they still remember, and the insults and slurs and yelling might be all they have left to feel as though they have some control or can protect themselves. Some of that nastiness is just sorrow.

These are people who likely once behaved normally, were articulate and appropriate, and would never yell racial slurs or insults. They've lost that now.

When your time comes to go to nursing school and really study this, you'll look back at this incident and this discussion and it'll click. You'll understand. For now it sucks you got fired, I am sorry to hear that. Your manager should have recognized this as a "teachable" moment and taken the time to educate you instead of just terminating. This was an opportunity to mentor you, and make a difference, for both you and the patient. Good luck to you and I hope you're mature and humble enough to accept this as a learning experience.