Need HELP keeping my emotions in check

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I am a need grad and have been on my first job in LTC for a month. I got into nursing because I truly love and care about people. In a perfect world everyone working in healthcare would feel the same, but we are far from living in a perfect world. I don't understand these CNAs that push, pull and jerk around the pts. The way some of them talk to the residents is awful. I wouldn't talk to my dog that way. It breaks my heart. I love spending time with the residents and talking to them. I don't just go in their room and shove their pills at them and walk out. How can people act like this? I come home and cry because it hurts my heart so much to seem them treated this way. It isn't all of the CNAs. Just a few, but if I can see it then why can't the DON see it? I have put in my notice because I have found another job and expressed my feelings to the DON. Is this just a bad first experience or am I just gonna have to toughen up?:crying2:

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Srry i meant see not seem.

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I, too, am a new LPN in long-term care for only one month! In my wing, if I see my CNA's acting inappropriately, I let them know. It is NOT okay to treat our residents poorly! Some of my CNA's are wonderful. I had one last week who took many cigarette breaks and handled the residents like nameless, faceless, cattle. I have had a couple of days off and go back to work tomorrow. You can bet I will be talking to the DON about this subject.

It is our duty to act as advocates for our residents. Maybe you were uncomfortable speaking up? If that is the case, don't be. If you have an issue with a CNA, take them aside privately if possible and let them know what they did wrong and how they need to handle it next time. You are their boss.

I wish you all the luck in the world!

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If your CNA's are the ones pushing and pulling at the residents or barking at them, let them know its NOT okay for them to do that.

If they refuse to change, then report it to the DON. If she refuses to do anything about it then look for another place of employment.

You don't have to be apart of something you know in your heart is wrong.

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This is why I will not work for another LTC facility again! When I was a CNA and going all out for the residents and treating them with respect and dignity, the other CNA's was man-handling residents, pulling, grabbing, yanking, talking down to them (like a puppy dog or something), sitting them out in the halls in there wheels chairs at wee hours of the morning for hours until it was breakfast time. I could not take it, it was awful. Some of the CNA's would steal the residents lunch and whatever else they can get their hands onto. Don't get me wrong, this is not all the CNA's cause there are really good kind hearted CNA's but at the facility I worked, the CNA's were out of control. I had to quit, I got tired of see the uglyness :madface: of how the residents were being treated. We all need to remember that we all are going to grow old someday and want to be treated right with dignity and respect if we should have to go into an LTC. What goes around will come back around and it want be pretty!!!

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Thanks for all the replies. The actions by the CNA was reported to the charge nurse and the I told the DON. One CNA in particular was moved to my wing because the charge nurse complained about her on the wing she was on. I don't know why they won't fire her. I hope it will be different at the facility I am going to. I just couldn't take it anymore.

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Hi! I remember in clinicals going to an LTC and I decided then and there that LTC was not for me, because it would turn me into a B word. Not towards the residents (the elderly tend to be one of my favorite patient categories), but towards the staff that treats the residents like they are a job and not a person. I remember one time we were helping a few CNAs clean up after a resident had a BM in bed, and they were so rude! The entire time they were telling the pt that they stunk, and how tired they were of cleaning up after them.

When I saw that, I didnt say anything to them, because I was too scared and unsure of myself. I didnt want to overstep my boundaries. I did tell me nursing supervisor, and she said in a lot of LTC facilities that is just the way it is.

I have been a practicing LPN for 3 years now, and I can tell you without a doubt that if I ever saw that again I would say something, and it would not be nice. I have become confident in myself as a nurse, and although I know I will never be perfect, I can still be a great nurse by taking care of my patients.

My advice: If you love LTC facilities and residents, maybe you can continue to work in that field as it sounds like you are the kind of nurse we need there. You have got to build a strong nursing backbone though and realize YOU are the advocate of every patient/resident you come in contact with. YOU can make the difference. Treat your patients like humans, and stick up for them if others do not. To this day I think about that poor lady, and I wish I would have stuck up for her and said something. I will not make that mistake twice!!

Your heart is in the right place. Your confidence will come with experience. I know you will be a wonderful nurse. Dont let the stupid people or the politics scare you from doing what you feel and know is right. Good luck!:heartbeat

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Thanks Cammie, LPN. I am so glad to see that someone knows where I am coming from. Confidence is something I definitely have a problem with. Started my new job today and it didn't go well either. This time it was the LPN training me that was so mean. Not to the residents, but to me. She was on my case all day telling me I needed to speed up and I was putting her behind. My first day in the facility and I have had my license less than a month and she made me think I chose the wrong profession. She didn't even like the way I was taught to take blood pressure and told me I was doing it all wrong. My heart is in the right place, but not sure my nerves can take it.

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Specializes in Long Term Care.

Hello Jg24, Sorry you had to experience that, it seems that type of behavior is common in LTC...i too experienced this in my first job, just don't let the bitterness from this nurse rub off on you. Just continue to do well, learn alot and you will be okay.

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Thanks Cammie, LPN. I am so glad to see that someone knows where I am coming from. Confidence is something I definitely have a problem with. Started my new job today and it didn't go well either. This time it was the LPN training me that was so mean. Not to the residents, but to me. She was on my case all day telling me I needed to speed up and I was putting her behind. My first day in the facility and I have had my license less than a month and she made me think I chose the wrong profession. She didn't even like the way I was taught to take blood pressure and told me I was doing it all wrong. My heart is in the right place, but not sure my nerves can take it.

You need to find a job that will bring you the confidence you need. There are a million ways to do one thing, and this you will learn. You will also develop YOUR style for certain nursing interventions that may differ from others, and that is ok! I am sorry you had a charge nurse who was not teaching friendly. You will find a lot of experienced nurses who eat their young, instead of nuture their young.

Dont lose heart or hope. Find your style and stick with it. If someone tells you that you are doing something "wrong" look it up to see if it is actually "wrong" or just not their way. It is really cool when you find an experienced nurse who will teach and nurture you. When you do, humble yourself to ask questions. If youa re not sure, ask questions!! They might have a way of doing something that you love, or maybe not like so much!!

Hang in there. In time, it will get easier!!

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Thanks Cammie, LPN. I am so glad to see that someone knows where I am coming from. Confidence is something I definitely have a problem with. Started my new job today and it didn't go well either. This time it was the LPN training me that was so mean. Not to the residents, but to me. She was on my case all day telling me I needed to speed up and I was putting her behind. My first day in the facility and I have had my license less than a month and she made me think I chose the wrong profession. She didn't even like the way I was taught to take blood pressure and told me I was doing it all wrong. My heart is in the right place, but not sure my nerves can take it.

Hi jg24,

I relate so much to your feelings. I, too, am thin-skinned and tend to shy away from conflict. Remind yourself that the person who is training you is only one of the many people you will meet in your career. She does NOT have the final say about whether this profession is right for you. Also, it helps tremendously to know that, in all likelihood, the frustrations you and this other nurse have are normal new grad woes and not a judgment of you as a person. Chin up. There will be better days, I promise :)

I have worked in private duty home health for about 4 years now. I work with one patient at a time in their home environment. I have found it to be extremely conducive to taking your time to do the right thing and getting to know your patients as individuals. Although most home health agencies require experience since you are being sent off to care for patients independently, it may be a good field for you to look into the future.

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Thanks so much for all the supportive replies. To update yall, things are getting better. I have had two more days of orientation with two great nurses. I have learned so much and am beginning to feel more like I will fit in. The other nurse that will be working the same wing as me is wonderful. He told me I could ask him anything. Things are looking up.

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