need advice-respect from CNA's

Pvt. Parts · Jun 22, 2005

Do you believe that people are automatically entitled to respect, or that one has to earn it?

From the one of your post, two things strike me:

1) I get the feeling that you feel you are entitled to respect by virtue of your position.

2) Based on the behavior you've reported, it seems to me that the CNAs may believe that respect is earned, irrespective of your position.

CarVsTree · Jun 22, 2005

Do you believe that people are automatically entitled to respect, or that one has to earn it?
From the one of your post, two things strike me:
1) I get the feeling that you feel you are entitled to respect by virtue of your position.
2) Based on the behavior you've reported, it seems to me that the CNAs may believe that respect is earned, irrespective of your position.

I couldn't disagree with you more Prvt Parts.

OP has earned the respect of having completed nursing school and having passed her boards. She is assigning them their work assignment and they are not doing it.

OP, I think the only alternative is to give them an opportunity to explain why the work is not being done and then write them up for not doing it. I would document the comment that female CNA said regarding her age vs. your age. Perhaps they see you doing paperwork and feel that you're doing nothing while they're doing "all the work." If you think, it would help, you can tell them a little about what it is you do. But, I think you really need to be firm. I can't imagine being in charge and pretty much on my own right out of school. Perhaps this job isn't the right fit for a GN. Those CNA's know you're green and they will take advantage of you.

Attention CNA's don't flame me, I was just talking about these particular individuals.

Good luck!

Pvt. Parts · Jun 22, 2005

You're entitled to disagree, but I'd like to defend my post.

I don't disagree with some of your points but I will say this -- the disrespect has got to go, either way. She can choose to hold her ground and continue the way she has, or change her tack. All I was doing was highlighting a possible reason for the disrespect, unjustified or not. I'm not going to tell her how to act one way or the other.

I learned from my dad (a successful management-level engineer) that depending on the personalities and beliefs of the people you're managing, it is often quicker and easier to spend a little bit of time establishing a rapport and then change things slowly one thing at a time. You can do it without being a pushover.

Drysolong · Jun 22, 2005

I believe your situation will improve in time. Just maintain a calm and professional manner, but let the CNA's know that you expect them to be professional and accountable also. If they are not, then you must take the necessary steps mentioned by suemom2kay of documentation and formal disciplinary action (hopefully that doesn't become necessary.

I am in a different situation. I am a new CNA currently in LPN school. I plan to graduate April, 2006 and then on to RN. I work in a LTC facility (my first) and I am determined to never work in another one, if I can help it. I like my patients, but I prefer to work with all age groups in a hospital or clinic setting. The negative attitudes of the LPN's and CNA's are just overwhelming to me. I don't understand it. Attitudes such as shirking work, lack of compassion for patients, lack of knowledge and skill, backbiting and jealousy on the part of many of the staff, CNA/LPN alike is just ridiculous where I work.

I look at it as a learning experience. In my case, I view it as an extension of school. (which is how I deal with the low pay). As a supervisor, you will have to learn to work with all kinds of people. I'm sure you will be successfu.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

Oh, my CNA's and the other RN's did this to me too when I first started. Just took time to get to know folks and now I communicate with them, them to me, and we have learned the value of teamwork and communication!

Just took time, and the other employees knowing that I do want them to work...not so much for anyone but the residents! BUT they know, if I see something that puts residents at risk...I will be rather strong about it!

I used communication skills just like when you assess patients! When I saw someone not doing their job, or doing odd things, I would ask them what was wrong...listen and validate that I heard them by repeating it "so you are saying you are swamped for time and feel overwhelmed", and help to try to probelm solve the issue or simply give them other tasks to do...always something that needs to be done!

You are just starting, they will be testing you a bit...especially us that come in with a higher title! With good communication, and yes..even writing some up, things will improve over time!

And remember, you have been hired as a charge, you must take charge in your own special way...also you are there to protect and care for your residents...(which I find to be number one), a off task CNA or RN isn't doing that, so you have to correct the situation in the best possible mannor!

Good luck to you! If you put your people skills to your advantage this will pass :)...

pricklypear · Jun 22, 2005

Do you believe that people are automatically entitled to respect, or that one has to earn it?
From the one of your post, two things strike me:
1) I get the feeling that you feel you are entitled to respect by virtue of your position.
2) Based on the behavior you've reported, it seems to me that the CNAs may believe that respect is earned, irrespective of your position.

Pvt. Parts - I know you have already rebutted one response to your this post, but I would like to make a few comments.

1. As a nurse, the OP is entitled to professional respect by virtue of her position - as the CNA's immediate supervisor.

2. I don't really care if the CNA's believe "respect should be earned," it has no bearing whatsoever on whether or not they should do their jobs well. Their jobs are about the residents, not about who has earned their respect. They are not doing much to earn the respect of their new coworker.

3. Based on the behavior reported - I believe one of two things is happening: the CNA's are used to doing sloppy work, and leaving without completing thier job without being called on it, or they are "testing the water" with a new nurse to see how much they can get away with.

Texas_LVN - keep being firm in your expectations. As their supervisor, you are responsible for what they do or don't do. This isn't about "not making anybody mad" it's about work that needs to be done. Instead of going right to a write up, I think a meeting between you and them is in order. Discuss your expectations of them, and invite them to express their expectations of you. Let them know that the worst consequence of not getting their jobs done is the lack of proper care of people who are paying their life savings to be cared for. Let them know that you will be forced to report them if work is intentionally left undone, or not done well, because it is a large part of your responsibilities to ensure that the residents are being taken care of according to institutional policy.

I know I sound kind of harsh, but I can't stand this kind of behavior from anyone. I worked as an aide during school, both in a nursing home and the hospital. But I took personal responsibility for my job. I may not have liked some of the nurses I worked with, but that was never an excuse to do a poor job.

BowlerRN · Jun 22, 2005

Hi Everyone, I am also working as a GN in a LTC facility that I have worked at for 4 years, some of the CNA's that I am now in charge of are ones that i worked with as a CNA, a few of them even helped train me. Many of them are also very close to the same age as me or older, I am 21. I have the same problems with CNA's not completing tasks I assigned to them.

Just a few days ago I asked 2 CNA's during report on the evening shift to make sure a certain residents teeth were brushed (oral care really seems to be a problem in our facility) and they both said okay. that night when they were standing around waiting to leave I asked if they had done it and they told me they forgot! The same man had 8 teeth pulled at the dentist yesterday!!!! :angryfire

We don't have any kind of official way to write anyone up in our facility, but I've had lots of trouble with a certain CNA and spoke with my DON about it, I guess that I wasn't the only one to complain either cause she had already planned to talk to this girl about a whole list of things, but I haven't worked with the girl since the discussion, so I'm not sure if it did any good. :rolleyes:

nckdl · Jun 22, 2005

I used to have the disrespect and the attitudes from cna's who have been there for a long time. I let it fly off my back for awhile until it all built up inside.The other nurse that worked with me finally told me that i have to show them who is boss so they don't push me around. well after two years and many write ups from the cna's not listening, I feel they respect me and know that i do respect them as long as they are doing their job correctly. And i am the one who had to sit the new nurse down and tell her how to handle our cnas because they are treating her the same way. I also have a very smart manager that told me that we aren't here to be every body's best friend we are here to help the patients.

Inkleberry · Jun 22, 2005

hey guys. I am new, this is actually my first post! I have been browsing for a few days. Well, I graduated in April, immediately began working as a graduate-charge nurse for LTC. The facility currently as only 16 res, but can hold 40, all PRIVATE pay. The CNA's that I have scheduled with me have been here since we opened, (just over 6 months). They have basically had the run of the house. Well, I noticed that they will go behind my back and not finish, or begin assignments that I have requested. (full set of vitals, ect.) I am swamped in paper work so do not think about it until they have gone. I started an assignment sheet that lets them know what assignments they have from the beginning of the shift. The female CNA is very close to my age (she is 24 and I am 26). She told me she does not like the fact we are so close in age. It makes her feel bad she has not finished school. I DO NOT HOLD SCHOOL against her. I will wipe my res butt just as fast as the CNA's. I was a CNA for a while. I do not sit on my butt behind the desk, I get up and spend time with my res, dress, feed, ect. I am a little intimided to let it go because I do not want to cause a fight. I work with her every shift. The male CNA and her have been working together for over 3 years, so I realize they know how to "work the system". I am getting fustrated. How do I set rules, get the respect I need, ensure they get their job done, without making them feel like crap and me turning out to be the bad-guy? The female as stated she is bi-polar. I know this is not an excuse to treat your boss like crap. HELP!

Your job is to see that the residents get the propper care and that the CNA's are doing that. If they are not doing as they are told, there have to be reprimands in order, warnings via verbal, written..etc. They are most likely assuming that you think your pooh doesn't stink....hold a meeting....make sure you are approachable...but do not worry about befriending....your job is the residential care.....

Pvt. Parts · Jun 22, 2005

Pvt. Parts - I know you have already rebutted one response to your this post, but I would like to make a few comments.
1. As a nurse, the OP is entitled to professional respect by virtue of her position - as the CNA's immediate supervisor.
2. I don't really care if the CNA's believe "respect should be earned," it has no bearing whatsoever on whether or not they should do their jobs well. Their jobs are about the residents, not about who has earned their respect. They are not doing much to earn the respect of their new coworker.
3. Based on the behavior reported - I believe one of two things is happening: the CNA's are used to doing sloppy work, and leaving without completing thier job without being called on it, or they are "testing the water" with a new nurse to see how much they can get away with.

1) Agreed, but as I've said twice already saying is that often, the ones you are taking charge of do not see eye-to-eye on this! Especially if they've been there longer than you.

2) Agreed. See above.

3) Agreed.

nsnan_2000 · Jun 22, 2005

I think that you have to earn the respect of your CNAs. When I first became a LPN charge nurse after graduation I had the same problems, maybe more so, because I had also worked as a CNA with some of these people. I had worked with new nurses as a CNA with "nursitis" so I knew what they were expecting. You CAN be a good charge nurse. CNAs deserve our respect, because without them, how would we ever manage to do OUR jobs? In the longterm care facility, they are often the first ones to notice something going wrong or just isn't right with the residents. I find that they are invaluable assets. Anyone who has been a CNA knows how very hard it is and how seldom they are given the appreciation from thier charge nuses that they deserve. I have been a charge nurse for many years and I will work beside my CNAs if neccesary and I ALWAYS let them know how much they are appreciated for all they do. It doesn't take much time and it is surprising how much it means to them. Of course there are some that really don't care one way or another (the same as nurses), but I have found that if you give respect, you will get it in return. That is not to say that I won't write up a CNA, but it has to be a really good reason ( like abuse or something like that) Nancy 11-7 charge nurse