Lazy and disrespectful Nursing Assistants

[lilaclover6984]

This is a vent post!

I just can't hold it in any longer and had to vent somewhere so I figured maybe some of you can understand or offer suggestions.

I work night shift on a medical transition unit and am often in the charge nurse role. We have 38 patients on the unit and are staffed with 1 charge( with 6 pt assignment), and 2 LPNs who 16 patients each. In addition to this we have 3 nursing assistants working with us.

I am often super swamped all night and rarely get a break. I barely manage to finish all my paperwork, Meds, assessments, etc but the NAs always manage to have nice long extended breaks plus sit at the computer on Facebook or watching videos for hours on end. But yet if a wandering pt comes out I am still the one who has to redirect them back to their room, they won't get off their butts unless I tell them too. Shouldn't they be able to do their jobs without being told all night? Then in addition to this they have been running to management complaining that they have too many people to change and Want nursing to come along with them. At the moment changing people is the ONLY thing they do and us nurses are struggling to get our other work done as it is.

Then to top it off yesterday we had a sick call and I ha to change on me of the NAs assignments around and she was YELLING at me about it right at the desk. Sooo disrespectful and unprofessional .

I'm beyond fed up!! I feel like they are creating more work and stress for me than the patients!!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Our unit has similar issues. However, I am firm with the NAs about my expectations. Recently, we had them review and sign job descriptions to be put in their HR files. It's not easy, but you need to foster a team environment and be consistent with your expectations.

Some days I am not very popular, and I could care less, since I do my job, and they are expected to do theirs. I'm also more than willing to help, and most of the NAs respond positively to management who are willing to share the load.

[lilaclover6984]

Staff meeting time on what they SHOULD be doing each shift. And 2 can round together while one takes the call bells and float. You need the support of your manager and education person. And a plan for the night. And to be clear on the plan. And that the IT department should disable the internet on the social media websites and you tube stuff, and no cell phones. Have a written schedule of what it is the CNA's are to be doing on the night shift. If there are 3 CNA's then 2 can be tag teaming patients. It also works if there is a lead CNA per shift. It then puts the responsibility elsewhere to direct. You could suggest a lead CNA on a trial basis, and see if it impoves any. Best of luck![/quote']

I like the idea of a lead NA. I will bring that to management and see what they think. Have you worked somewhere that has done this successfully?

[lmccrn62, MSN, RN]

Sounds as though maybe their isn't real direction and expectations. As you have a work list they need one as well for their shift.

Unfortunately many nursing assistants are like this. Where I work they do so little and constantly complain about nursing. I am in an advanced role and find it appalling they are allowed to behave the way they do. I have witnessed aggressive behavior to the nurses and even just walking away. They talk on their cell phones or listen to music while in a patients room. I have even seen them engage in horseplay in a patients room. The response was "we were just kidding around". Really! Unless nursing takes a united stand and delegate appropriately and management support this care will only deteriorate.

[RadiantLynneBSN]

" the educator is validating their complaints and saying things like " back when I was a nurse this was the nurses job and we didn't have NAs and nurses shouldn't be treating NAs like slaves" and says these things to the nurses at staff meetings with the NAs there. "

The nurses forced to live out the good ole days of no NA's & RN's doing all the care (not w/todays complexity or case load) need to ban together ^ kindly reorient the Nurse Educator in that the chain of command and authority is not just for Nursing leadership but applies to delegation from Rns, Lpns, and CNAs.