16 month old nurse needs advise / help on managing aids

wooh, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2008

I can totally understand the frustration you have. And when you've just gotten off a few long shifts, I can understand not being able to express it in a manner totally congruent with how you're feeling.

But I still think you're frustration is focused in the wrong direction. The aides aren't coming in saying, "Hey, I'd like to work with no training and inadequate staffing just to stress out the nurse!" I think if you just keep in mind that they're having a rough time too, and remember that THEY aren't the enemy. Unfortunately, you probably feel pretty powerless over the enemy (the short staffing) so you're frustration is going to end up aimed at who you have a bit of power over, the aides, UNLESS you make a conscious effort to not allow that to happen.

Talking to management is your best bet. The aides aren't the problem, your delegation skills aren't the problem. The problem is short staffing and lack of training. Neither of which you or the aides can fix. You can just all work together to get through.

oslogirl · Sep 3, 2008

My response was not personal. It had nothing to do with whether or not you are a good nurse/person. I am sure you are both. I was merely trying to give you some advice with the info. you had provided.

I hope things improve for you.

JB2007, ASN, RN · Sep 3, 2008

It sounds to me like you are trying to work with your aids, but they are not in the mood to work with you on the problem. I do not know what is causeing the poor attitude (short staffing or not feeling appreciated), but it sounds like something needs to be done. Try talking with the aids and asking them what is going on. If you can not get the answers you need there go to the DNS and talk to him/her about your concerns. Whatever you decide to do, it is going to require some honest communication on everybody's part.

greenergrass, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2008

Please remember that advice is worth the $$ you pay for it. Every one of us has an opinion & it's a lot easier for us to express it in the comfort of our computer screens instead of the pain of your situation.

I've found this one thing to be true:

Most people come to work every day wanting to do a good job.

Unfortunately, systems, processes & negativity quickly get in the way of some. The more mature worker (in any job) has learned to manage their reactions to this.

I would imagine that a vast majority of CNA's are more prone to allowing systems, processes & negativity to effect their daily outlook & performance.

Our job as mature & responsible professional leaders is to set up systems so their jobs are as pleasant as possible - allowing them to continue their day providing the compassionate care we expect.

This can be accomplished through:

Design
Staffing
Leadership
Self Control

Good luck...you've got a really difficult situation on your hands. It sounds like a deep moral problem as much as anything else.

Remember Tinker Bell & never let them steal your light!! :tinkbll:

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Sep 3, 2008

Do you help your aides? Answer call lights? Toilet people? Help with transfers and repositioning? I know we're busy, but I try to help my aides whenever possible, and they seem to respond very well to the effort. In fact, I can pretty much ask my aides to do anything and it will get done. They don't feel so overwhelmed as they know they can ask me to help for a minute and I will. It puts me behind some (most) days, but it's worth it to me to know my pts are being taken care of. They respect me for my efforts and they know I respect them. I also allow them to be imperfect, as we all have our "off" days. Being an aide is very hard work, the hardest in the facility, I think. And ususally being the lowest paid they can easily feel unappreciated. I thank them for doing their job. It may sound funny, but they need to know I appreciate their efforts. It's nice to hear "atta boy" once in awhile.

crazdmomof4 · Sep 8, 2008

Do you help your aides? Answer call lights? Toilet people? Help with transfers and repositioning? I know we're busy, but I try to help my aides whenever possible, and they seem to respond very well to the effort. In fact, I can pretty much ask my aides to do anything and it will get done. They don't feel so overwhelmed as they know they can ask me to help for a minute and I will. It puts me behind some (most) days, but it's worth it to me to know my pts are being taken care of. They respect me for my efforts and they know I respect them. I also allow them to be imperfect, as we all have our "off" days. Being an aide is very hard work, the hardest in the facility, I think. And ususally being the lowest paid they can easily feel unappreciated. I thank them for doing their job. It may sound funny, but they need to know I appreciate their efforts. It's nice to hear "atta boy" once in awhile.

I do put residents to bed, toilet, answer call lights etc. I was an aid for 10 years and know how hard and unappreciated their job is. I always start with "if you have time" or "if you need help let me know" Its just that lately we are getting hit with aids who either can't manage their pts and want you to do it for them, or they flat out tell you they won't. Sunday one actually said to me if "I don't want to do it I will just tell you to go to heck" completely serious. I replied "yes, you can say that, but then I would tell you to go home."

I have talked to my DNS and went and bought several books at barnes and noble about team building and motivation. I took a week off, will be back to work this Friday I could see it if it were just me having this problem, I would then question my attitude, but its all the nurses on my wing, which has lost all regular staff to the VA home which pays much better. We have 2 potlucks a month which the nurses host between the 200 and 100 (my hall) we do pizza fiests or such just to let our aids know how very much they are appreciated. I just don't know what to do to motivate them to do their jobs competently. I defentately don't want to be the nurse who trails after her aids nagging them to do their job. I am hoping my books will help. I have already gained several ideas. Will implement them Friday hopefully with good results.

mercadies · Sep 8, 2008

I too have had my share of working alond side NA's and I found over the years that if you empower, acknowledge their work you will see a change in attitude from them. They are a necessity and I worked with the NA's which earned me their respect, I never had to check on their work or report anyone to management because for me I felt that was seen as a blur on my abilities to lead and communicate effectively. Mercadies RN