Know It Alls: CNAs and Nursing Students- How To Handle?

[tokidoki7]

I'm a nursing assistant and because my unit is short-staffed as well as having people constantly calling off, I've been working with other nursing assistants who are also nursing students. There are some that I like working with because they have great attitudes and they share so much with me- when I ask. However, the others I've worked with really irritate me to no high end. They're constantly scrutinizing anything I do. It's always "No, it's like this. . ." "No, it's that way. . ." "You need to do this. . ." "Don't forget to always. . ." "You should be doing it this way. ." "You should always remember. . ." . I either ignore them or just say, " Thanks, but I know what I'm doing!" I've been a nursing assistant for almost a year now and everything I do is routine, so I know exactly what I'm doing! It's interesting how these students put on the nurse role when they haven't even graduated, pass boards yet, or had any REAL experience.

Here's the other side of the coin. I start nursing school in a few weeks and from threads I've read on here it appears that there will be know it alls of every shape and form, especially know it all CNAs. I have no intentions on letting anyone know I already work in a hospital. I've learned to keep things to myself.

I'm just getting irritated and I wanted to know if anyone has ever had experience with know it all CNAs and nursing students and what you did to handle them.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Sounds like you only wanted to hear what you wanted to hear. You just dismissed any other responses that you didn't agree with.

That kind of attitude will not help you in nursing school. Good luck with your career...

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

You know, I've learned from new grads, our unit clerk, the dietition, the PT students, any and everybody.

I've taken advice from students, as they are armed with really recent information. I've taken advice from nurses with 30 years of experience, and those with less than one.

I don't really care if they know "more" than I do. I care if their advice is applicable. I've been a nurse for 3.5 years. People take advice from me. Are they fools for doing so, since some of them know more than I do?

Quite the opposite.

So, you shouldn't limit yourself because you judge someone as being on the same level as you. Nursing is a team sport, and we all need each other.

That's EXACTLY what I'm doing but you want to accuse me of being bitter and not wanting to perfect my skills. You're TOTALLY missing the entire gist of my post! IT'S THE PRESENTATION OF THE ADVICE THAT I FIND PROBLEMATIC.

[XYcsccSN]

Sounds like you need an attitude adjustment! Big Time!

Could you give us an example of one "routine" thing you do where there is no right or wrong way to do it where one of these "know it all" nursing students said you were doing it wrong? How did you do it? How did they tell you to do it?

[mrsshifflette09]

I'm not saying I don't LIKE advice. I just don't like it when the person who is giving the advice is trying to seem like they are better than me, or like they are being judgmental. I have the type of personality that I like to do things and ask questions. If someone is being nice and giving advice in a kind manner, I don't mind at all. It is when they act like they know absolutely everything and I know nothing. It is not every Nursing student or CNA, it is just some. I don't treat people who are doing the wrong thing like they are stupid or incompetent, I ask if they need help and kindly advise them. I don't stand around and watch just so I can point out others wrong doings.

I got in this career so I can learn and become the best nurse that I can be, not to be put down by other people. I put up with enough of that with the know it alls in Nursing school.

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

Sounds like you only wanted to hear what you wanted to hear. You just dismissed any other responses that you didn't agree with.

That kind of attitude will not help you in nursing school. Good luck with your career...

WRONG. You only hear what you want to hear. You dismissed my post and accused me of not wanting to learn or take advice and that wasn't the intent of my post at all, no matter how many times I've explained. And from the sound of your post, you were/are probably a KIA yourself.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Lol.

I never accused you of anything. You are overly sensitive and that may be your problem.

You seem to be quite angry as well-another problem that doesn't bode well for you.

And of course, anybody who disagrees with you is now a know it all! Lol..how sad.

Being angry all the time is not good for you, but I have to tell you that it shines through in your posts.

Listen, your plight doesn't affect me. I'm already a working nurse, dealing with real work situations. I find your responses laughable, and I like a good debate.

If you think everything is a personal attack then nobody can communicate with you.

I wish you luck while you try to find your way.

[LifelongDream]

The best advice I've ever received was from my mom, an RN of 35 years. She said observe everything around you. Humbly acknowledge the advice that is given to you. Do not dispute it openly. If you know it's wrong, throw it out of your mind and forget it. If it's something that sounds plausible, investigate it further and educate yourself.

My previous profession was teaching, so I realize that there is a good, constructive form of feedback and a "What's wrong with you, are you stupid?" kind of feedback. Those offering the feedback should be aware of their tone. Observe what it is that bothers you most about these encounters and apply it to what you will do in the future.

Good luck in nursing school! Best wishes.

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

Sounds like you need an attitude adjustment! Big Time!

Could you give us an example of one "routine" thing you do where there is no right or wrong way to do it where one of these "know it all" nursing students said you were doing it wrong? How did you do it? How did they tell you to do it?

I don't what you mean by "attitude adjustment" especially since I've clarified myself many times in my post. But at least you are asking questions because it means you want to dig a little deeper.

By "routine", I mean the things I do when I go to work: baths, vitals, breakfast, linen, water, trash, accuchecks, lunch, water, vitals, accuchecks, dinner, trash, linen. And thrown in between are new admits we have to take care of, taking people off/on stretchers, or providing additional assistance to patients or co-workers.

To be specific about what I am talking about, I worked with one of the KIA's the other day because there was a patient to clean up. I know how to change a bed while a patient is in it- by myself or with the help of others. This KIA said to me, "Make sure you tuck that pad all the way underneath!" "Don't forget to take these dirty linens and put them in the hamper!" "Mr. So-and-so has a brace on his leg!". This KIA wasn't being "helpful" at all. It was more like micromanaging and trying to show to the patient (who was there for a month) who had the upper hand. Then recently there was a patient who was NPO. Patients who are NPO are always permitted by the doctor to have a cup of water and a SWAB (or ice chips) to moisten the inside of their mouths. I had looked up this patients dietary info on the cardex and even gotten a report that morning by the nurse. I brought the patient the cup of ice water. The same KIA comes flying into the room "NO Chocobean! Nooooo! He's NPO!" I turned and said to her "He's allowed to have it to swab the inside of his mouth!" "Oh. Okay. That's alright then."

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

Lol.

I never accused you of anything. You are overly sensitive and that may be your problem.

You seem to be quite angry as well-another problem that doesn't bode well for you.

And of course, anybody who disagrees with you is now a know it all! Lol..how sad.

Being angry all the time is not good for you, but I have to tell you that it shines through in your posts.

Listen, your plight doesn't affect me. I'm already a working nurse, dealing with real work situations. I find your responses laughable, and I like a good debate.

If you think everything is a personal attack then nobody can communicate with you.

I wish you luck while you try to find your way.

I believe you're overly sensitive because you never once asked for further information as to what the problem could be. The first thing you do is accuse me first of not accepting advice from RNs, but after I corrected you then you flippantly stated you already knew I was talking about KIA students and accused me of being bitter. And it's obvious through your post that your are quick to condemn people and think you have the answers. Not one thing you posted was helpful or even insightful. Everything was just accusatory and condeming. If you're an RN who's dealing with "real work situations", I wonder why even bothered to post anything at all if you didn't have anything helpful. Seems like you relate more to student KIA.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

Everything I posted was helpful, you just refuse to hear it.

Again, you might want to calm down and watch your anger. It isn't healthy.

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

Everything I posted was helpful, you just refuse to hear it.

Again, you might want to calm down and watch your anger. It isn't healthy.

You need to watch your anger. You're expressing it through sarcasm. You actually like this back and forth bantering don't you? You seem to get off on it.

And nothing you said was helpful- at all.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

respectfully asking everyone to chill on this thread. personal attacks are not ok, and responding in kind is also problematic. please report offending posts rather than responding to them, and let the staff handle it.

please remember to keep your comments constructive and polite.