Lost CNA Hospital job

[altolover]

So just as a forewarning I am already feeling depressed and sad about this so if responses can be kept to constructive criticism that would be best and no swear words or tearing me down. Today I lost my job at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and I really loved my job the pay, benefits, and the people were really nice for the most part. If you want to get good patient care go there they strive for excellence like no other. I started may 4th and lost my job today because in the past 2 months I had 3 concerns against me one is being late three times to work but please listen here I was not late more than 5 min and two of the times I was only a min late. I guess I have just been used to my old jobs were they give you at least a 5 min grace period with no consequence to you. However at Abbott there is a point system and even 1 min late is half a point against you and you can only have 3 points against in 6 months. The second concern happened during a really slow holiday when nothing was going on the whole shift I was wearing headphones and a call light outside of my section came on but the person was still in my care. The voicera didn't notify me and neither did the box i was sitting in front of. Even when I took them out it was a faint sound that could have sounded like it was coming from another unit or section far away so unless I was walking the hallways I would have never known this cal light was going off. I understand I should not wear headphones because I could miss something serious going on like a code or a patient calling for help and I understand but I still think since nothing bad happened this concern was a small one. Lastly a patient complained about me to the worst degree saying I didn't know what I was doing, did not look happy, and was just standing there waiting for her to guide me and that I was trying to lift her arm that she had surgery on. This was overexsagerated and of course the manager never listens to anything I have to say I am always wrong so why bother defending myself to her. My side of the story which I believe that if your a manager please before deciding on a punishment please listen to both sides of the story like in my case the patient and the nursing assistant please I beg of you managers please listen to both sides of a story before making a decision. I know that I want a place where I know I will be listened to. Sorry had to rant a bit but my side of the story is I went into her room and she was a shoulder replacement with a perfect capability to walk but wanted the commode because she said she did not have her sea legs yet so I tried the arm with out the brace and she didn't want that so I asked her how would she like to be transferred and then she said I am not trained and do not know what I am doing and I said well you don't want me to lift you with your arm so how do you want to be transferred because everyone is different and so it is important to ask them I think but she took it as I don't know my job and then she asked if I liked my job and I said I did and then joked about not liking cleaning poop but she took that seriously and said there are other jobs where you can help people and not clean poop. I thought by the end of the shift we were fine because I re explained to her that it is just a fact of the job and most people don't like cleaning poop and she seemed to understand but I guess not because went and told my boss that I seemed unhappy incompetent and just waiting for her to tell me what to do. I am sorry I was just trying to figure out how you would like to be transferred. I feel I was unfairly fired and that these were nit pick reasons to fire me plus I was showing improvement on being on time by being 10 min early to my shifts. I just wish I was listened to and was noticed on the things I was improving. Also I was given a conditional re hire basically it means that if I apply to an Allina site they will be able to look at the comments about me when going through the hiring process and they said it will affect my future nursing job. So my question is am I screwed and will never get a nursing job at a allina site? Also are there places out there where they do listen to both sides of a story before taking action? Because honestly I do not want to work for a place where my side of the story is not heard before action is taken. Please be nice with your responses not looking to cry again today I am looking for some hope.

[TitusNoir]

LOL. I love the disclaimers and rules at the beginning of this post. And the "rationales." It's like studying for NCLEX.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

I think first of all you need a lesson in professionalism. It is not professional at all to come to work 1 second late, ever. Why on earth is that ok? If your shift starts at 7am, you arrive to tat hospital no later than 6:45. I would be earlier than that. Get yourself ready for your shift and be on that floor at 6:55 to get your assignment for the day.

You wore headphones while working? At no job is this ever acceptable, not one. So I'm guessing you had your phone on you also? Another big no-no. Not only could the headphones be an infection risk, it tells everyone you are not interested in your job. A job, by the way, where patients are relying on you for care and you are wearing headphones. What if a patient had coded? What if someone had fallen due to you not answering their call. That is causing harm to a patient and it is asking for a lawsuit for the hospital.

How do you think the patient felt when you described an aspect of your job you didn't like? Patients need to feel like they are receiving excellent care which you are not giving. Do you think people like having a stranger clean up their poop? No. They are embarrassed and ashamed that this has what their life has turned into. They lost their independence AND a complete stranger is seeing parts of them that are generally private to that person. Your job is to make the patient comfortable. Complaining is most certainly not acceptable.

This is all common sense. I'm sorry you have been crying and I hope this is the wake-up call you need to get your act together. You were justifiably fired. I'm sure you will not come back and comment because this is not what you want to hear. I do not understand what other side you want employers to hear? You were 100% wrong. You won't get sympathy from me until you acknowledge that you were not a good employee. You tried to qualify all of your mistakes. I was only 1 minute late, the call bell was not working, it was the patients fault I couldn't move her. Own up that you screwed up and do better next time.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I'm not trying to be mean but you need to learn from this, grow up, and move on. The headphones alone were a reason for termination and you put your personal entertainment above patient safety.

There's something wrong with that.

[USMCRN2015]

Ever heard perception is reality?

Showing up late is perceived by others as "meh, I'll come to work when I want. Screw my coworker that just worked a double and is waiting to get relieved"

Headphones? Ugh. Maybe it's the Marine in me, but I swear if I ever saw a coworker wearing headphones, I would probably rip them off her head. Guess how that is perceived "oh, the patient is needing help? Well that's not my assignment....so I don't care"

Nursing is about caring, Teamwork, and so much more. When you decide to put your big girl pants on, come on back. Because right now your mental is too immature for someone's life in your hands.

[altolover]

I will never say that I was 100% in the wrong with this firing and since no one is on my side I am defending myself. Number one being late one min NOT A BIG DEAL!!!!!!!!! Why you ask because most companies offer a 5 min grace period why offer that if it not a big deal. Also life happens you can't fault anyone for being a couple min late that is too strict and just anal and you need to take the stick out of your butt. I mean I live in a state with snow I could leave an hour early and wouldn't be enough sometimes no one ever can guarantee they will be on time for every shift for the rest of time it is ridiculous and if you say you can your lying. So lighten up on the one min late thing it not something anyone should be fired for also shifts overlap by 30 min to give report. So what I am a min late and can only get report in 29 min oh my goodness so little time NOT! Get over yourself your not better than me or anyone else so stop acting like it. Also with that overlap no one is waiting on anyone to get there because there shift won't end for another 29 min. So being late a few times by a min in 3 months in my opinion should never be called for dismissal that why most companies don't' fire for that and give at least 5 min grace period. However, I know you will disagree and you have a right to that but just letting you know you should take that stick out because your being just as bad as the managers and anyone working under you will not like you. I know if I was working where my friend works who by the way is late from time to time that first one of being late by a min wouldn't even been brought up to me.

The headphones I take complete responsibility and already have so stop telling me things I already know about this.

Lastly I was not complaining about my job I even said to her that I like helping people. Also the only reason she thought I was incompetent was I was trying to figure out how she would like to be transferred since she didn't want to use her legs. Which by the way were perfectly capable of walking. She didn't like my helping her up by her arm so maybe I looked confused and not sure what to do but I did ask how would you like to be transferred and she blew it out of proportion and said that I was not trained well, and didn't know what I was doing. I was just trying figure out from her how she would like to be transferred that all. That doesn't mean I am incompetent or was not trained well. It means that well you can't walk or use your arms. How would you like to transferred? However I am afraid not just for me but others were one patient can get you fired because a patient can say a bunch of crap about a person to a manager and the manager takes the patient word only and the employee is fired without even being heard and honestly that is something this hospital needs to work on. Listen to employees before taking corrective action you may learn something totally different and if so it should be investigated not ignored. I know I wasn't all smiley coming into the room but can you honestly say that every time your with a patient your smiley too? I doubt it no one should be punished for wearing a frown we are human we can't help sometimes the emotions that are displayed on our face. I feel that if I was actually listened to maybe an investigation could have happened but I was disregard as wrong without a second thought. I was nice to my patient, I provided good customer service by asking her how she would like to transferred, Lastly no one should have to go into every patient room with a fake smile.

[noelly10]

I will never say that I was 100% in the wrong with this firing and since no one is on my side I am defending myself. Number one being late one min NOT A BIG DEAL!!!!!!!!! Why you ask because most companies offer a 5 min grace period why offer that if it not a big deal. Also life happens you can't fault anyone for being a couple min late that is too strict and just anal and you need to take the stick out of your butt. I mean I live in a state with snow I could leave an hour early and wouldn't be enough sometimes no one ever can guarantee they will be on time for every shift for the rest of time it is ridiculous and if you say you can your lying. So lighten up on the one min late thing it not something anyone should be fired for also shifts overlap by 30 min to give report. So what I am a min late and can only get report in 29 min oh my goodness so little time NOT! Get over yourself your not better than me or anyone else so stop acting like it. Also with that overlap no one is waiting on anyone to get there because there shift won't end for another 29 min. So being late a few times by a min in 3 months in my opinion should never be called for dismissal that why most companies don't' fire for that and give at least 5 min grace period. However, I know you will disagree and you have a right to that but just letting you know you should take that stick out because your being just as bad as the managers and anyone working under you will not like you. I know if I was working where my friend works who by the way is late from time to time that first one of being late by a min wouldn't even been brought up to me.

I would love you to come in and say that to the CNA who just worked a tiring 12 hour shift and wants to go home. Would you want someone to come in late after you've been busting your rump for 12 hours?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I will never say that I was 100% in the wrong with this firing and since no one is on my side I am defending myself. Number one being late one min NOT A BIG DEAL!!!!!!!!! Why you ask because most companies offer a 5 min grace period why offer that if it not a big deal. Also life happens you can't fault anyone for being a couple min late that is too strict and just anal and you need to take the stick out of your butt. I mean I live in a state with snow I could leave an hour early and wouldn't be enough sometimes no one ever can guarantee they will be on time for every shift for the rest of time it is ridiculous and if you say you can your lying. So lighten up on the one min late thing it not something anyone should be fired for also shifts overlap by 30 min to give report. So what I am a min late and can only get report in 29 min oh my goodness so little time NOT! Get over yourself your not better than me or anyone else so stop acting like it. Also with that overlap no one is waiting on anyone to get there because there shift won't end for another 29 min. So being late a few times by a min in 3 months in my opinion should never be called for dismissal that why most companies don't' fire for that and give at least 5 min grace period. However, I know you will disagree and you have a right to that but just letting you know you should take that stick out because your being just as bad as the managers and anyone working under you will not like you. I know if I was working where my friend works who by the way is late from time to time that first one of being late by a min wouldn't even been brought up to me.

The headphones I take complete responsibility and already have so stop telling me things I already know about this.

Lastly I was not complaining about my job I even said to her that I like helping people. Also the only reason she thought I was incompetent was I was trying to figure out how she would like to be transferred since she didn't want to use her legs. Which by the way were perfectly capable of walking. She didn't like my helping her up by her arm so maybe I looked confused and not sure what to do but I did ask how would you like to be transferred and she blew it out of proportion and said that I was not trained well, and didn't know what I was doing. I was just trying figure out from her how she would like to be transferred that all. That doesn't mean I am incompetent or was not trained well. It means that well you can't walk or use your arms. How would you like to transferred? However I am afraid not just for me but others were one patient can get you fired because a patient can say a bunch of crap about a person to a manager and the manager takes the patient word only and the employee is fired without even being heard and honestly that is something this hospital needs to work on. Listen to employees before taking corrective action you may learn something totally different and if so it should be investigated not ignored. I know I wasn't all smiley coming into the room but can you honestly say that every time your with a patient your smiley too? I doubt it no one should be punished for wearing a frown we are human we can't help sometimes the emotions that are displayed on our face. I feel that if I was actually listened to maybe an investigation could have happened but I was disregard as wrong without a second thought. I was nice to my patient, I provided good customer service by asking her how she would like to transferred, Lastly no one should have to go into every patient room with a fake smile.

The firing was 100% your fault, down to the last detail. If this is how you are now, don't continue in the healthcare field because it won't get any better.

Yes, you need to be early for your shift all the time! Not some of the time or when you can but all the time! It is a big deal to your coworkers, your boss & most importantly the patients. Worry about yourself, not what your coworkers/friends are doing. If they are late maybe they have informed their boss. But when you are chronically late it makes you & your place of employment look bad. No healthcare facility will offer a grace period of any minutes. You need to be there early to get report & check on the patients. But from the sounds of things you have a lot of growing up to do before you get another job in the healthcare field again.

As for the helping the patient out of bed, you should know how to transfer the woman. Asking the patient how to do your job I'm sure made her think twice. Also then that comment about cleaning poop I'm sure didn't make her happy. After your two other infractions your boss didn't need to "hear your side", that was your nail in the coffin. Even if you told your side you would've been fired regardless.

You have a lot of maturing to do. I would suggest taking a job outside of the healthcare field for now until you are completely ready. Because for now it would just be a mistake.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I will never say that I was 100% in the wrong with this firing and since no one is on my side I am defending myself. Number one being late one min NOT A BIG DEAL!!!!!!!!! Why you ask because most companies offer a 5 min grace period why offer that if it not a big deal. Also life happens you can't fault anyone for being a couple min late that is too strict and just anal and you need to take the stick out of your butt. I mean I live in a state with snow I could leave an hour early and wouldn't be enough sometimes no one ever can guarantee they will be on time for every shift for the rest of time it is ridiculous and if you say you can your lying. So lighten up on the one min late thing it not something anyone should be fired for also shifts overlap by 30 min to give report. So what I am a min late and can only get report in 29 min oh my goodness so little time NOT! Get over yourself your not better than me or anyone else so stop acting like it. Also with that overlap no one is waiting on anyone to get there because there shift won't end for another 29 min. So being late a few times by a min in 3 months in my opinion should never be called for dismissal that why most companies don't' fire for that and give at least 5 min grace period. However, I know you will disagree and you have a right to that but just letting you know you should take that stick out because your being just as bad as the managers and anyone working under you will not like you. I know if I was working where my friend works who by the way is late from time to time that first one of being late by a min wouldn't even been brought up to me.

If you are on-time for your shift, you are already late. You should arrive at least 10-15 minutes before a shift to prevent a late start. This allows you to go to the bathroom, prepare for your shift, etc. so you can hit the floor running AT your start time. Being late by 1 minute IS a big deal. What is so strict about expecting employees to be ready, on the floor, and working by their scheduled start time? You are in for a harsh reality in the Healthcare world if you don't understand the problem with this.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I have never worked for a healthcare facility that gave you a five minute grace period. If your shift starts at 7 you are expected to be on the unit ready to work by 6:55am. Chronic 1-5 minute late tardiness in your first two months is a pattern of behavior and most definitely grounds for termination.

In nursing school no grace period. 5 tarsiers = absence. 10 lates in a semester = diploma held until you make up the work. One tardy on clinical (even one minute late) can result in being sent home and a zero for the day. Two occurrences = two zeroes = fail the clinical component.

Five minute grace in an office or retail setting may be more tolerated but never in a hospital, home health, rehab, long term care or other medical facility.

Your latest response shows how much you need to grow. Polices and rules are there for a reason. Choose to not follow and risk dismissal from the job.

[Jayjormom]

I usually don't comment on posts like this but WOW. Are you serious? You are in for a very rude awakening. In no profession is it "not a big deal" for being 1 min late. If it wasn't a big deal, then you wouldnt have been written up for it. Rules and policies are put in place for a reason. You may want to learn to follow them. You mentioned getting a job as a future nurse? I'm curious. Are you currently in nursing school? Being 1 min late is grounds for clinical dismissal. Automatic Unsat for clinical. 2 UNSATS in my program means YOU FAIL. I hope you GROW UP and adjust your attitude. You are NOT going to be very successful with the one you currently have. Good luck to you.

[USMCRN2015]

I will never say that I was 100% in the wrong with this firing and since no one is on my side I am defending myself. Number one being late one min NOT A BIG DEAL!!!!!!!!! Why you ask because most companies offer a 5 min grace period why offer that if it not a big deal. Also life happens you can't fault anyone for being a couple min late that is too strict and just anal and you need to take the stick out of your butt. I mean I live in a state with snow I could leave an hour early and wouldn't be enough sometimes no one ever can guarantee they will be on time for every shift for the rest of time it is ridiculous and if you say you can your lying. So lighten up on the one min late thing it not something anyone should be fired for also shifts overlap by 30 min to give report. So what I am a min late and can only get report in 29 min oh my goodness so little time NOT! Get over yourself your not better than me or anyone else so stop acting like it. Also with that overlap no one is waiting on anyone to get there because there shift won't end for another 29 min. So being late a few times by a min in 3 months in my opinion should never be called for dismissal that why most companies don't' fire for that and give at least 5 min grace period. However, I know you will disagree and you have a right to that but just letting you know you should take that stick out because your being just as bad as the managers and anyone working under you will not like you. I know if I was working where my friend works who by the way is late from time to time that first one of being late by a min wouldn't even been brought up to me.

The headphones I take complete responsibility and already have so stop telling me things I already know about this.

Lastly I was not complaining about my job I even said to her that I like helping people. Also the only reason she thought I was incompetent was I was trying to figure out how she would like to be transferred since she didn't want to use her legs. Which by the way were perfectly capable of walking. She didn't like my helping her up by her arm so maybe I looked confused and not sure what to do but I did ask how would you like to be transferred and she blew it out of proportion and said that I was not trained well, and didn't know what I was doing. I was just trying figure out from her how she would like to be transferred that all. That doesn't mean I am incompetent or was not trained well. It means that well you can't walk or use your arms. How would you like to transferred? However I am afraid not just for me but others were one patient can get you fired because a patient can say a bunch of crap about a person to a manager and the manager takes the patient word only and the employee is fired without even being heard and honestly that is something this hospital needs to work on. Listen to employees before taking corrective action you may learn something totally different and if so it should be investigated not ignored. I know I wasn't all smiley coming into the room but can you honestly say that every time your with a patient your smiley too? I doubt it no one should be punished for wearing a frown we are human we can't help sometimes the emotions that are displayed on our face. I feel that if I was actually listened to maybe an investigation could have happened but I was disregard as wrong without a second thought. I was nice to my patient, I provided good customer service by asking her how she would like to transferred, Lastly no one should have to go into every patient room with a fake smile.

First of all, I worked customer service in the Marines for 10 years. So I know all about "faking it to make it"

Did I ever say I was better than you? Nope, but I will point out that I worked at a Hospital, med surg float CNA for two years, while attending ADN school, and managing a husband and daughter (who dances 4 days a week). Guess what? I was NEVER late to a shift. So you take from what what you will. But I've never been fired. If I was I sure wouldn't have such a bratty attitude about it.

Does life happen? Sure. But you didn't say that. You said "it's not a big deal", well you know what? It is to the person who just pulled a double and has been sitting 1:1 with a nasty degrading patient for 12 hours.

First

[truthteller]

As someone who has been in management, late is late. I expect you to be on the clock and ready when the second hand ticks straight up. I do not allow headphones while on the job, ever. As far as customer/patient complaints go, I listen and respond appropriately. If I hear it once I rarely say a word. If I hear it twice, I'll talk to you about it. If I hear it a lot, we have a problem (that problem, of course, could be me or the customer/patient and that's why I always give people the benefit of the doubt; you understand).

I've been fired too. My responses have been varied. I've laughed in their faces. I've said, "Thank you and good luck," knowing how much I did they never knew about. I've hired attorneys and taken them to court. And, my favorite, have turned over pages and pages of written documentation of violations of state and federal law to authorities with cc's to corporate hq's complete with names and titles.

Every job I've ever had my position has always been to perform my job to the best of my ability and document when others, especially higher ups, don't do theirs. I never tell anyone that I'm doing that. The best defenses are the ones no one knows about. If you're going to throw me in the pig pen slop, there's absolutely nothing that's going to stop you from joining me. If you're going to abuse me, you had better be prepared for the fight you picked.

The best policy is maintain high personal standards. Coworkers and higher ups will recognize, subconsciously, you are not one to be messed with.