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.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
I'm sorry to say it, but even as a moderate smoker myself, I don't think that anyone who isn't a smoker should be forced to take a patient out for smoke breaks. I don't feel that it's fair to ask anyone to be exposed to someone elses smoke if it bothers them. And I support any CNA or Nurse who feels it goes against their obligation to the patient to take them out to smoke. It is a habit- not a right. Please don't flame me for this- I just thought I would pose an opinion as a smoker.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by Susy K
O/T but I think OB should be considered a critical care area anyway...
Well, Suzy at least L and D should be IMO. But since labor/delivery are essentially HEALTHY processes, (til we interfere, oftentimes, or nature turns on her famous dime), the powers-that-be will NEVER buy off on that concept. Being that I work LDRP, I do it all in a given shift, (even GYN's when we are busy enough)---- so smokers have to wait til a family member can take em down, or they are able to go themselves. I mean, show a new mommie how to breastfeed for the first time, or help a 15-year-old girl through a diffcult labor---- or escort a smoker downstairs? Hmmmmmm not a difficult choice to me. :kiss
To make a big deal about a person's smoking can make you a fool. See, people smoke for habit and pleasure. Shouldn't make such a big deal about it because it's legal, and heavily advertised. Remember how heavily America was bombed with cigarette advertising - don't be dumb! Health dangers of smoking is not an issue - PEOPLE reactto what they see. Don't allow others to control your "chee" as cigarette advertising did with so many.
Look - just let the older folks smoke'em if they gottem, as part of their American culture (don't deny it). Many hospital PT's have learned too painfully self-rightous staff are for the birds. Just use your sensible judgement and have a little heart. Stop making smoking a dad-burn plank to start complaining. Judge not, lest ye be judged, for the judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged. And just be cool :-)
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by mario_ragucci
Judge not, lest ye be judged, for the judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged. And just be cool :-)
Umm who's judging? I refuse to compromise patient care to support a habit, period. What anyone does to his/her lungs ON THEIR TIME is up to them. But when it's on MY time, it's up to me not to indulge them when other priorities beckon, Mario.
I had a girl last week that didn't even have the placenta delivered and wanted to go outside and smoke. Umm, wouldn't you like to maybe finish delivery and see if we can resuscitate your child before you go toke? I am a smoker, but I don't smoke at work. And, I sure as hell don't take anyone outside to smoke. Your habit? You support it. Family members are real impressed when the new mom whines b/c of nicotine. Um, if you had quit during the pregnancy, you shouldn't be begging for one before you get out of the stirrups. Makes family members wonder...
I'm feeling a sense of compassion if a person smokes and then gets their freedom removed, like with an illness or old age. Maybe 30 years from now, I might can see this control. For now, we should be still enjoying the "good old days" since additudes on smoking shift.
At a hospital, accompanying a PT to smoke is rare. RN's have to give permission, right? The handful of sniffs and LTC places I been as a CNA I observed only the able people could smoke...able to get out the door. It's okay to loose privilages as you become older, or disabled.
Once I gave a cigarette to a PT when I was very new, and I swore I would never do that again. Imagine if that PT got ill or died from it? Here I go making my own big deal, lol. I'm sorry :-(
i worked in a nursing home in which a resident on pain meds lit up in her room and set her bed on fire. happily no one was hurt because the smoke alarms went off and we were able to evac before the roommate's O2 blew.... which is why most NH's are smoke-free now.... ins co's just don't wanna chance it.
Those of you in OB...I would not be happy if asked to watch a newborn while family goes out to smoke. I've floated to postpartum....I can imagine watching infants for 10 smoking Moms when I have meds to pass, etc.
I think that in OB another family member should have to watch that baby or escort that Mom. Would your facility directors support a policy stating this?
Or will 'customer satisfaction' win out?? I know that mother baby areas tend to really cater to customers...probably moreso than medsurg or critical care.
I could tell someboring 'old nurse' stories here...cuz I remember when patients and visitors smoked freely all over the hospitals (nurses too)..I remember nurses and docs smoking at the station way back in my younger days..hehe)
Wastebasket fires, bedclothes fires, 3rd degree burns...lots of this from patients smoking in bed/falling asleep. And yes, 3rd degree burns from the o2 cannula too...and the molten tubing burn lines on their faces...
I remember putting out many wastebasket fires in patient rooms and hallways before the anti smoking policies came about. Hospital fires almost always involve patients smoking according to even most recent fire safety training data. And many dementia patients will have fire mishaps (among others) at home which lead to their move to LTC.
I can remember those times as well mattsmom. I also can remember doctors who smoked cigars!!!!!!!!
I think that a pts. right to smoke should NOT impact other pts. need for good and prompt care! Taking staff away from a unit to allow people to smoke leaves a unit short, I don't care where it is. I think it's wrong to expect other pts. to wait while someone else takes a staff member from the unit....just so they can do something that not only affects their health adversely, but that of the person who assists them in indulging in their habit!
Time would be better served in assisting them with smoking aids, and emotional support.
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!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
[Or will 'customer satisfaction' win out?? I know that mother baby areas tend to really cater to customers...probably moreso than medsurg or critical care. [/b]
MY question might WELL be, which "customer"......???? See, I have other patients to attend to. (like everyone). SO which "customer's" priorities are most prevalent? Well, as a nurse, I hate to get into that. That is why I am glad these ladies have family members to escort them down if they feel they must go. Seems to me, customer support, while important, does not hold a candle to, say, LIFE support.
When caring for labor patients, you have be on the ball and AWARE at all times what is happening with them. When someone brings me a baby to watch cause she wants to smoke, it becomes a juggling process to take care of my other patients while at all times, watching this baby. We all get involved. And we don't have CNA's at all (totally out of context of this CNA thread, I have come, I know). However, we all try to be lenient in this case. We don't like it, but unlike some have suggested earlier, we are not heartless, either. It also occurs to me to encourage these moms to quit for the lives and wellbeing of their babies. We offer patches and try to get them on their way....no I can't save the world but......
But DON'T ask me to place a smoker's priorities OVER the legitimate nursing needs of my other patients, such as pain control, labor support, teaching etc., cause I will not do it. If more said this, patients would come to understand it. It takes a bit of guts to stand up for what we know is the right thing, after all. We can't please everyone all the time, and be one person.:zzzzz
If I don't take up for them, who will?
which is why most NH's are smoke-free now.... ins co's just don't wanna chance it.
BBFRN, BSN, PhD
3,779 Posts
I'm sorry to say it, but even as a moderate smoker myself, I don't think that anyone who isn't a smoker should be forced to take a patient out for smoke breaks. I don't feel that it's fair to ask anyone to be exposed to someone elses smoke if it bothers them. And I support any CNA or Nurse who feels it goes against their obligation to the patient to take them out to smoke. It is a habit- not a right. Please don't flame me for this- I just thought I would pose an opinion as a smoker.