LAZY CNA's!!

sapphire18 · May 7, 2012

I totally sympathize with you, as the same thing happens where I work. However, I would be careful not to generalize this as a "CNA" issue- not all CNAs are lazy, some are, some are freaking awesome, some nurses are lazy, some aren't, etc etc etc. Hope you feel better.

allnurses Guide · May 7, 2012

How sad. Most the CNA's I work with are awesome. Sorry you are frustrated.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · May 7, 2012

You're on a board, acting as a professional, complaining about a professional topic, discussing how you educated yourself out of an aid role, and looking like you have no grasp of the English language at all. We've all had frustrating coworkers, but it's hard to call someone lazy when you haven't even put forth the effort to type a readable post.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · May 7, 2012

I know that you are venting and probably not looking for advice, but if you will allow me to offer a few suggestions:

So many of us have been in your position. It is SO frustrating! If you feel up to it, try to change the culture of your workplace. Most of the time, people with attitudes feel "victimized" somehow. Rational people with a clear understanding of their job duties don't react with an attitude when asked to do something, do they? So why is this person being irrational? Does she feel unappreciated? Does she feel like she has too large of a workload? Is her personal life in shambles? (and the reason I ask the last question is because sometimes when employees don't have a balanced/stable home life, they act out at work-not that this is OK, but it may help you to understand their behavior.)

I had this same challenge with a particular staff member for almost two years. I finally asked her, "Mary, it is clear to me that you are angry because you reacted to my request to help Ms. X up to the bathroom by rolling your eyes and sighing. Can you tell me why you are mad?" Mary replies, "Why do you think I am mad? I just have to do EVERYTHING while you just sit around and play on the computer!" I state, "It may look that way, but I am charting, and it takes a while to get through all of it. You said that you have to do EVERYTHING, and I don't want you to feel that way. I do want you to understand that you are a valuable team member on this unit. We need you and rely on you. Do you feel that your tasks are too numerous? What can I do to help you?"

She finally opened up to me and said that she was taking care of her dying mother by herself while her 3 sisters came up with one excuse after another regarding why they can't help her, trying to keep her daughter out of trouble, and trying to keep up with her pre-nursing classes at the community college. I had no idea. She felt under appreciated at home and carried those feelings over to work; hence the comment "I have to do EVERYTHING". She was simply at the end of her rope.

To change the culture of a work environment is difficult, no doubt. But you can do it. In collaboration with your NM, compile a list of duties in a checklist form for the CNAs on your unit. Involve them as well so they feel like they have a voice in their job duties. Staff members are more compliant when they have some sense of ownership in defining their duties. Expectations are then clear cut. Try to open up those lines of communication and do small things to make her feel appreciated. A candybar, a coffee, an email to the NM pointing out the things she did well during a shift...it's the small things that make people feel good. However, if the CNA continues to have an attitude after your efforts to communicate, then she should be written up for disruptive behavior. You have to document each occurrence as it happens.

I hope this helps. I know it's frustrating, and not very pleasant. View yourself as a leader in this instance and reach out to her. You might be surprised at how her attitude turns around.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · May 7, 2012

Agreed, We set the tone, I have some LNA's who are less than motivated but I am clear in my expectation as to what they need to do. When my expectaions are not met, it has been addressed. The natural consequence of not doing their job is the discipline process. It has improved over the years ( I work perdiem in LTC).

The other LNA's tell me they look forward to me working because my expectations are clear and I set the tone for a high level of work. It is also imperative to have MGT back you up, and that is best done by exhibiting a high degree of professionalism and respect for the very hard work they do-most of the one's I work with are AWESOME!

RNBeauty23 · May 7, 2012

Thanks canesdukegirl & nhnursie for ur reply. I am still a new nurse and have worked in two hospitals on various floors and I have never had a good experience with CNA's. By no means am I saying that all CNA's have this attitude, that's just been my experience with them. Even when being a nurse tech and working side by side with a cna she would talk so poorly about having to do her job and gave the rn's a hard time when asked to do simple tasks when all she was doing at the time was sitting on her butt playing with her cellphone. That is very good advice and I'm just frustrated. Many have complained about the CNA's but because it's hard to get them to stay they could do whatever they feel and won't be worried about getting fired (but that's a whole different topic!). Just gonna leave it in Gods hands and pray for me to keep my cool and pray her attitude, situation, or whatever it may be changes.

RNBeauty23 · May 7, 2012

I will try the advice given because it is very good advice. I will address this issue with my nurse manager. Hopefully everything works out for the best because other than that issue I really love my floor!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 7, 2012

I found your post perfectly readable.

Can't believe that some responses throw the blame back on the victim!

I REALLY doubt that they have worked in a similar situation.

What kind of facility are you in?

I have been traveling and agency for 5 years now . I have seen many different areas/hospitals/ CNA's.

The last facility I worked at, had the CNA's with the worst attitude and work ethic(exactly liked you described).. that I have ever seen in 30 years of nursing.

Since the majority of the staff was new grads and agency.. it was accepted as the norm.

I started writing incident reports.. each and every time a CNA refused my direction. (that is usually the first sentence of their job description " UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A REGISTERED NURSE") We are responsible for everything that they do, or don't do.

Management actually thanked me, it did make some difference, the CNA's knew it was me and would no longer look me in the eye.

But they would do what I (always politely ) asked them to do.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 7, 2012

There are lazy people in all professions, and CNAs are no exception.

I'm sorry that this is what is going on. I would talk to management about this and let them straighten things out.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · May 7, 2012

By nature, we as health care workers are very task-oriented. It feels good to complete the tasks assigned to you, and in general people have a sense of accomplishment when an objective is met. The key is to give staff clear cut expectations, directions and guidance. The CNAs look to you as an RN to delegate, and if you do so in a very defined manner, they can take ownership of your direction and accomplish their given objective. Don't forget to give props when they do a good job, no matter how small the task. Adults largely respond to positive reinforcement, and the more encouragement you give, the more productivity you will see.

Jenni811, RN · May 7, 2012

we are thankful to have wonderful CNA's on nights. I've seen them on occasion chew an RN's butt out for "being lazy." i truley love our night CNAs.

I've had problems with a few day CNAs. i cant tell you how pi$$ed i get when im paired with 2 of them. one of them, if you ask her to do something that isn't in the orders she FLIPS out. Like i swear, im going to have to get the AED pads out on her. For example...if the orders say "Take vitals once per shift" and i ask for another set of vitals at noon because we started new blood pressure medications this morning, the CNA will FLIP OUT "Where in the orders does it tell me to do this? here....let me show you. Know where does it say 'take vitals at noon'. what gives you the authority to tell me what to do?"

i think its cause im only 23 years old, and she is like upper 50's. She hates being told what to do by the younger crew.

Another CNA we have does NOTHING. you can never find him, your blood sugars are never done, your vitals are never done, your patient's baths are never done, none of your patients have had a walk. Don't know where he goes or what he does his whole shift. If you call his phone another CNA answers "He is on break" my reply: "AGAIN!??" or, if he has his phone and he isn't on break he just doesn't answer.