First, let me say that I am not venting against all CNA's or even most...I've been one myself. I know how hard they work. I applaude the good ones.
My problem is the majority of the ones at where I work. They talk back, they leave people in messes...it's really making me mad. Just this morning, I told a CNA that was going to get my blood sugars at 5:30, to wait until at least 6:00 because I didn't feel comfortable giving insulin at 7:00 on a 5:30 accucheck. I had originally told her 6:30, but, after she explained to me that she couldn't at that time, I told her I would compromise and make it 6:00. (Sometimes our patients don't get their breakfast trays until almost 8:00 and 11-7 is responsible for the insulin at 7:00) She flat out refused. She told me that the boss said it was ok. I told her, she's not here right now, is she? You're working on MY license, not her's.
She told me no and went and got them at quarter of 6 in defiance.
I told the 'boss' when she came in, but, this is the same boss that let another CNA get away with telling me to 'shut the hell up', as well as, telling a patient to shut up. (Which is why the CNA told me to shut up...I was getting on to her for doing that)
I am so SICK of not being backed up when I tell a CNA to do something. I know I am just a little 'ole LPN at this time, but, I still expect the CNA's to do what I tell them.
I try to be fair. Like I said, I was a CNA, I know how hard the work can be....but, I didn't talk to my nurses any old way I feel, much less, tell them no when they told me to do something.
If the big bosses won't do anything, what am I to do? Go over their heads?
This is my last night tonight. I've done decided that the next place I work, I am not going to be so nice. I've got an interview tomorrow and I am going to explain to the administrator that I DEMAND back up. If I tell someone to do it, and, they snap off, I EXPECT there to be repercussions.
I hate to be so down and dirty, but, I had an spiritual experience a couple of weeks ago that made me see that every patient I come in contact with, is someone's loved one. I don't expect to see them laying in pee or dried food for hours. That is soooo undignified. If I don't take up for them, who will?
Any advice? Should I go to the ombudsman if the bosses won't do anything about these CNA's with an attitude?
I hope any CNA's that read this don't take offense. If you do your job honorable, I am not talking about you.
Oh I can relate to this big time. I worked in LTC and we had to deal with a very difficult patient. So to make it fair each of the CNA's would take turns and have this patient. Well one refused and was rude about it. I couldn't believe and on top of that the CNA left. The next day this same CNA came back to work as if nothing happened that is when I just resigned because if I can't get the respect and do my job as a charge nurse then why even be there. I hate delegation as it is but when I have to do it I don't expect to be so disrespected and then to not be able to do my job. You did the right thing. I personally do not like writing anyone up but some people really deserve it. :-)
"hence the critical thinking, you can't just say, "the rules say this and l am only going to do this"... and right now, it is your nurse who makes these decisions...."
Well said! I was definately thinking..."CNA's are not required to think out of the box" CRITICAL THINKING is a Nursing skill....
Not to sound like a bag here...LOL...but it is true...
NO--- NO ONE *HAS* TO escort smokers ANYwhere....all we need do is say we will NOT....it's no different to me than others refusing to participate and/or assist with other things that are not in line with their most basic principles. Really, WHAT hospital makes it a NURSING responsibility ABOVE all the OTHER things we have to do, to take people out to smoke? When we come here frequently to complain how people are not even getting BASIC nursing care ...we make it a priority to take people out to do an unhealthy thing like smoke? It's insane!
So your patient who is in the hospital, smokes regularly, and must now STOP..............just like that. Real nice of you. Let them smoke. Not a good time to go cold turkey.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by MishlB
So your patient who is in the hospital, smokes regularly, and must now STOP..............just like that. Real nice of you. Let them smoke. Not a good time to go cold turkey.
UMMM Michelle, dear. DID YOU read the part where I said we offer patches and gum? NO--- We dont' expect them to go cold-turkey off nicotine. they can take us up on the patches/gum or HAVE A RELATIVE talk em out to smoke. What we DO NOT expect is to smoke smokers, either. NO TIME NO INCLINATION, sorry I am a nurse, not babysitter of habits. Nex time you choose to quote me, will you PLEASE BOTHER TO READ AND QUOTE THE WHOLE POST or not at all?
I know I know...I hate smoking, and find it ridiculous too. But many times the docs won't prescribe a patch for whatever reason. Just thought I'd stir the pot............
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
our doctors do Michelle, so no issue on nursing as far as I am concerned. I have time to do NURSING duties this way. Works for me. Please read my whole post if you are gonna quote and quit quoting out of context. Thanks!
And before I forget, those that are "forced" to escort smokers outside, who handles the nursing needs of your OTHER patients and their families while you are doing this? How do you think they would feel if they had to wait for something they need while you are out there, promoting a very unhealthy behavior as a health care worker? Just food for thought.
Soo...we should let the chest pain patient puff away while we're starting a Nitro drip to head off a heart attack?
And let the acidotic COPD patient have one last drag before we intubate?
Yeah, they're nervous and scared and want a cig but we have to use common sense, prioritize, 'critically think' (altho I hate buzzwords like this... LOL)
LTC is governed by patient rights regulations and allows for residents to smoke... but acute care is different. The patient comes to us in acute distress ...then asks us to feed the addiction that is aggravating their cardiac or lung condition...it's up to us to say no. They are addicted but sick and we have to try and get them through the crisis.
From me smokers will get some Xanax and a patch per protocol... but NO WAY will they get a cigarette in my ICU. For me to allow that would be grounds for malpractice IMO.
It always amazes me after we have saved a life to hear the cardiopulmonary patient say "I can't wait to have a cigarette".
All the teaching in the world and the awful experience of intubation and vent weaning, or a heart attack still won't win over the addiction. Lungers especially may well be back within 6 months...and may not survive the next round. It is very frustrating to see this, and to watch their loved ones suffer watching such self destructive behavior.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by mattsmom81
Soo...we should let the chest pain patient puff away while we're starting a Nitro drip to head off a heart attack?
And let the acidotic COPD patient have one last drag before we intubate?
Yeah, they're nervous and scared and want a cig but we have to use common sense, prioritize, 'critically think' (altho I hate buzzwords like this... LOL)
LTC is governed by patient rights regulations and allows for residents to smoke... but acute care is different. The patient comes to us in acute distress ...then asks us to feed the addiction that is aggravating their cardiac or lung condition...it's up to us to say no. They are addicted but sick and we have to try and get them through the crisis.
From me smokers will get some Xanax and a patch per protocol... but NO WAY will they get a cigarette in my ICU. For me to allow that would be grounds for malpractice IMO.
It always amazes me after we have saved a life to hear the cardiopulmonary patient say "I can't wait to have a cigarette".
All the teaching in the world and the awful experience of intubation and vent weaning, or a heart attack still won't win over the addiction. Lungers especially may well be back within 6 months...and may not survive the next round. It is very frustrating to see this, and to watch their loved ones suffer watching such self destructive behavior.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
............ we are stretched thin in personnel, as it is. And while we may not be CCU/ICU, we don't have any more time or desire to do this than mattsmom does, where I work. It's enough I/my coworkers get stuck watching their babies for them while they go down to smoke.That is as far as I will go to support that habit, period. Oh, and before you ask, NO WE DO NOT HAVE A WELL BABY NURSERY. Our hospital is following the baby-friendly model (not yet designated as "baby-friendly" by WHO), which if you don't know, mandates the neonates who are healthy room-in w/their mothers 24/7. So yes, it IS an added burden when these babies come out to the nurse's station, cause that means we have to stay around to watch them. I think that is more than enough for us to do, don't you? At least at the other hospital where I work, it's not an issue due to the strict nonsmoking on grounds policy.
If I don't take up for them, who will?
Flo1216
428 Posts
Someone actually asked you to crank up their car? I think at that time I would have said, " Crank THIS!"