Need advice: quit or stay?

[hollyberry678]

I am in my first year of nursing, but have worked on this same unit for 4 years prior at the desk and on the floor as a support person. The unit is very large, so that mgt really is not in touch day-to-day with the actual workers. It's a 'if you don't hear from us, consider that a good thing' type of unit, which is kindof nice in a sense, but certain staff can be somewhat 'innappropriate' (rude) and get away with it, too, and then it can be discounted as 'it's a stressful unit', so this type of thing (rudeness, for lack of a better term, is tolerated).

It was hard at first to transition to my new role as RN at first especially when others knew me in the support staff role. The RN's are all ok now, and treat me respectfully, as a peer, but I have had some trouble with a few CNAs. A couple incidents of them yelling at me (and one pointing her finger in my face and yelling) were definate boundary issues for me, and after reporting them, am incredulous that they are not disciplinary type actions.

The last incident (finger pointing/yelling), I asked for a few days personal LOA, as I couldnt take going back there just yet. I am due to go back there now, and am dreading it. I did email the mgr on Fri and asked if I can be assured that this dosent happen again, and got the response that "I did talk to X and she assures me she will act thoughtfully and professionally'.

I am concerned that this will be seen more as MY problem than that of lack of mgt of the CNAs (and there are some good ones, it is the few that seem to have some kind of problem with me, or that they want to work on their own terms). I am concerned that I have not truly been assured that 'that was not acceptbale behavior'. I also am concerned that (like I have been) I will do that job AND mine, and/or have all the above and whatever behavior comes up on MY license.

I do love the actual WORK, and the patient, and this is the area I do love.

Do I stay and continue to try to work this out? Do I look for another position on another unit in this hospital? Or leave for another hospital within the same area?

[leeae85]

How many times has this yelling/finger pointing happened? Once is more than enough for me! You should be able to feel safe & comfortable in your work environment. You said that mgt is not always there, which to a degree IS nice, but someone needs to be there to be the referee! What is the problems you are having with the CNA's? Is it because you were once "one of them" now you're an RN? I wouldn't put up with crap. As an RN, you have WAY too many other doors to choose, and I would find something else if the problems continued.

[hollyberry678]

Thanks, I really need to sort this out.

The yelling/finger pointing happened once, and that morning I was ready to quit...but my mgr talked to me and said I would be "running away" basically and that I was 'too sensitive'...and that I should stay there and work things out and 'grow'...

I am not afraid of growth at all, but that incident (and a previous incident with another CNA, they are friends, not sure if thats related)has really affected me.

It affects me that there is a certain contingent of support staff NOT supportive, and actually seems to dislike me or not respectful of me for whatever reason. I have never acted anything but professionally, and usually do their job and mine...

Anyone have any additional thoughts?? I am really confused about this whole situation.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

My girlfriend and I had a talk about something similar today, that a good CNA is worth their weight in gold! I suspect that they are having adjustment problems with your new title and responsibilities.

I remember some of my friends that used to be aides would say that they would never forget where they came from. Most of them haven't, but one of the things about transitioning is that you begin to see the reason for delegation...the RN cannot do everything and she has to count on others as being an extention of herself. This is especially true when you are just learning your new responsibilities. It takes time to learn to balance it all.

I wish I had more advice in regard to how to deal with the CNAs that are challenging your authority, but I don't, because the ones I work with on a daily basis have lately almost started a mutiny against the nurses. If managers are not going to be supportive, it makes it even harder. I agree with your superiors in that you should not run from it, because this will happen everywhere. But, you have to see how it is handled. If they are not going to be disciplined, it makes things even harder (especially if there is a union-such as the place I work for).

[Riseupandnurse]

This is a problem all over and part of the lack of respect for nursing that is so rapidly overrunning our society. What the NAs don't understand is that they are ASSISTANTS and the RN is responsible for what they do. The NAs want to make their own rules. sure, don't we all? Eventually management is going to have to come to terms with this, but so far shows little inclination because after all, we are all "equal" except administration and the doctors.

[WindyhillBSN]

If the situation continues....and is making you sick to where it consumes your thoughts on and off the job, where is the "growth" in that? What are you growing, an ulcer?

[RNperdiem, RN]

What is the area that causes conflict with the CNA's that is bad enough to lead to yelling and finger-pointing so upsetting to require a few days off? Was it a patient care issue? Workload issue? Communication issue?

How do the other nurses get along with the CNA's- do they have problems too?

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

are we in kindergarden here? respect is earned and given. you are all supposed to be there for the benefit of the patient not the hierachy of the pecking order. need a couple days off because of finger pointing and yelling? assured by management they will be nice to you upon your return? where is this hospital? i've never heard of anything so childish! pull them aside, talk to them, once is free, there won't be a twice. you don't need mommy to talk for you. you are a professional now. deal with it in a professional manner.

ok.....go ahead, ready for the bashing to commence!

[ukstudent]

No bashing here mpccrn. But not everyone is as strong as you.

To the OP, you need to go back to work with the understanding that management has talked to this person. Management is NOT allowed to tell you of any discipline given to others.

If management is truly is not doing anything and the problem continues then you need to go the HR and let them know that your management is allowing a hostile work environment to take place.

[Duckman_97]

I would say leave. If you are already in a stressful environment with no backing from management, why stay? Your CNA's may be angry with you for a while. You were once one of them and now you are higher up on the food chain and they can resent you for that. I have went through the same thing. Either way, good luck with whatever you decide.

[BradleyRN]

I did email the mgr on Fri and asked if I can be assured that this dosent happen again, and got the response that "I did talk to X and she assures me she will act thoughtfully and professionally'.

The question to ask is, in the event that this does happen again, what will be the reprisal? I dont think there was likely any discipline doled out for this infraction, as the CNA wouldnt just confess her inappropriate actions to the manager. However, with you being shaken enough to want a few days off from it, and now trying to see that the situation has been resolved before returning to work, it would seem that the manager should have taken the initiative to investigate and eradicate this type of behavior. Whether or not she did is yet to be seen. Considering the apathy she exhibited in your previous thread however (basically blaming you for getting yelled at), i wouldnt hold my breath. In the end, either you have the autonomy to write up the CNA's for any future insubordinate acts, or you may be up the creek without a paddle.:nuke:

[CHATSDALE]

what was your relationship with the aids like when you worked floor and desk prior to finishing school and getting rn license?

there is quite often a resentment when a once fellow employee becomes the 'boss'

i believe it wil be easier for you to go somewhere else than to try to make a bad situation better by staying where the mgm believes that this is your fault because you are too 'sensitive'

there are lots of places who will appreciate a good nurse and where you will feel contentment in your job