Just got fired -

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Wow. That nasty resident I told you guys about last time I worked complained to my boss saying that I was "mean to her" and that I had "walked out on her" so I got Fired today. I don't get it. This resident doesn't ever know what meal we are going to or what day it is. I'm so upset right now.

seriously, how demented? early stages, still responsible, mid not so much later, not at all.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

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!

^and "seemed" is only what it is....

My concern is when you are having conflict with the pt, it needs to be documented. If anything, I saw more reflection in pointing out what the OP can do moving forward in order for her to be successful...however, I can only speak for myself in terms if what I perceived, as well, and I assure you, I'm more concerned for a safe pt/caregiver relationship. If someone is yelling, sluring at you, in MY experience, it is important to document, notify supervisor and make a plan, dementia, etc, or not...the OP still has to learn to address those issues, which she admitted to NOT doing, and lesson learned.

We were not there either, but that does not mean to critique her if she is venting either. I did nor focus on the fact that she got fired, but what to improve on, which is MUCH more beneficial.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
seriously how demented? early stages, still responsible, mid not so much later, not at all.[/quote']

^This...

I've had one patient in the advanced early stages if dementia, tell me he "will smash my effing head against the wall and watch the blood run down the wall" and then apologize five minutes later. This was during a redirection out of a female pt room where he was sitting in a chair an just wanted to "watch her go to sleep".

I've been slurred at, spit at, as soon as I entered the room to introduce myself, and still used a therapeutic technique, but STILL had to document. This one stuck out for me because it was the most graphic incident that I remember, and because of the intent (or lack of)...No, it did not bother me, and I stuck to gentle redirection, but it still needed to be reported. It's about safety. We must always be mindful of what our patients need, but also our own safety, in order to plan accordingly.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.
^and "seemed" is only what it is....

My concern is when you are having conflict with the pt, it needs to be documented. If anything, I saw more reflection in pointing out what the OP can do moving forward in order for her to be successful...however, I can only speak for myself in terms if what I perceived, as well, and I assure you, I'm more concerned for a safe pt/caregiver relationship. If someone is yelling, sluring at you, in MY experience, it is important to document, notify supervisor and make a plan, dementia, etc, or not...the OP still has to learn to address those issues, which she admitted to NOT doing, and lesson learned.

We were not there either, but that does not mean to critique her if she is venting either. I did nor focus on the fact that she got fired, but what to improve on, which is MUCH more beneficial.

Absolutely. And at first, OP didn't divulge the fact that the pt had dementia. For me, that completely changes things. No matter how severe, especially at night, there is no telling what mind frame the patient is in, as you know. It is most unfortunate if the patient is still lucid and behaving like that, but how do we know?? I think we have to give the patient the benefit of the doubt.

I think it can be hard for new CNA's to be spoken to and berated that way and not get defensive, but I just want OP to know its usually not personal, as the pt has no idea what they are doing.

I feel like this situation warrants critiquing, especially since she feels she did nothing wrong. Its an education opportunity. Provided it is constructive. Even with an alert and oriented person, I would not argue. This is because even to the lucid person in a healthcare setting, perception can still be reality. In my experience an apology goes a lot further than an argument. Mind you, I'm speaking of the incident before the racial slur took place......

I agree, it should always be reported to the nurse to be documented, but as a CNA I have never had a place where I personally could document said incidents unless I filed an incident report.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

I posted my vent to get advice as to be a better healthcare provider for my PTs. :-) this has definitely been a learning experience for me as well as an example of what not to do. Thank you for your input everyone. I should have never referred to the pt like that no matter what. And I'm always going to document and report anything that happens in the future. I was doing what the med aid told me to and I should have called my boss that Sunday morning.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

That says a lot about you and I think you will be a wonderful nurse someday.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Thank you. I'm also trying my best to gain more patience.

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Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

It will come. Do some research on dementia and alzheimers, it may help you to understand why demented patients act the way they do. Sometimes they think they're a kid again, or they may "flash back" to a different, often difficult, time in their lives. It always helped me to remind my self it isn't the patient talking, it's the disease. Often times they appear like they may be lucid, but when they say something off the wall you realize they in fact are not. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, it is a horrible, demeaning debilitating way to die. :(

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I posted my vent to get advice as to be a better healthcare provider for my PTs. :-) this has definitely been a learning experience for me as well as an example of what not to do. Thank you for your input everyone. I should have never referred to the pt like that no matter what. And I'm always going to document and report anything that happens in the future. I was doing what the med aid told me to and I should have called my boss that Sunday morning.

You have a really good attitude and seem like a good person. Learn from this. In EMS we are always taught if its not on our PCR (patient care report), it never happened and thats more so in terms of what we have done for patient care as well as what a patient has said or done to us. It protects us and our patients. Good luck in your future endeavors!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

Thank you!!!

I applied at a facility that I worked at two years ago and they called me two hours later saying come in for an interview tomorrow (today) at ten am and plan to stay for new employee orientation from eleven am to three pm!

My fingers are crossed. I put that I got fired and will explain what happened at my last job...

How would you?!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiology..

I got the job

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
I got the job

Congratulations. Now bring forward all the lessons you've learned and keep learning!

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