New Charge Nurse and CNA's

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Aug 25, 2005

maybe she was asking overall how you handle CNA meaning, how do you delegate, do you have a problem assisting one, when a CNA is being disrespectful or neglectful to patients, what would you do? that type of thing. I worked as a CNA for 5 years and then i quit mostly because most nurses i worked with were rude and nonhelpful when i have a "problem patient" so for the past 3 years i have not worked in LTC. i am taking my CNA classes again to get recertified but thats because i HAVE to in order to go to LPN school. to me the way i read you post what i thought she was asking you was just overall what do you think/do about CNA's under you...JMO =)

cathy54 · Aug 25, 2005

maybe she was asking overall how you handle CNA meaning, how do you delegate, do you have a problem assisting one, when a CNA is being disrespectful or neglectful to patients, what would you do? that type of thing. I worked as a CNA for 5 years and then i quit mostly because most nurses i worked with were rude and nonhelpful when i have a "problem patient" so for the past 3 years i have not worked in LTC. i am taking my CNA classes again to get recertified but thats because i HAVE to in order to go to LPN school. to me the way i read you post what i thought she was asking you was just overall what do you think/do about CNA's under you...JMO =)

You might be right. I was blessed that when I was a cna, the nurse was extremly nice and helpful. It was the other cna's that gave me fits. I can delegate pretty well, and as far as helping, I have no problem when I am caught up on my work, unless it is urgent. Thank-you for the input. I will keep it in mind. I wish you many blessing on your way to LPN :)

jsteine1 · Aug 25, 2005

I have interviewed for a position as Charge Nurse. That will be a learning experience in itself as I am fairly new to nursing anyway. The DON asked me how I was at "handling" CNA's. My question in how do you be an effective charge nurse and still have the help of the cna's? I did not appreciate the way the question was put to me. First of all, having been one at one time, cna's do not need "handling". They work hard and deserve as much respect as anyone on the nursing team. However, I have also had the experience of cna attitude directed at me and some nurses. I quit one facility as a cna due to the cna's and the lack of support from the DON. I do not want to be overbearing, but I also realise that I can't come across as buddy. Any suggestions before possibly get this position would be helpful.
Thanks

I think using the word "handling" might have just been a poor choice of words with no disrespect intended. I think she is asking about your management style and what do you think would motivate CNA best performance given that you personally have done this. Given how very important the CNA is to the care delivered in the LTC setting, its a great question. There is always concern about turnover in that setting due to low wages generally and the physical demands of the job. Congrats- hope you get the job!

DusktilDawn · Aug 25, 2005

She may have been interested in how you view CNAs. Some nurses have lousy attitudes towards them which creates alot of workplace conflict. You also know from experience the problems that arise when CNAs have a lousy attitude towards nurses. Some Charge nurses/managers automatically side with the nurse in any conflict involving a CNA, without listening to both sides.

I've worked with nurses who think it's beneath them to do the dirty work (changing incontent pts, bedpans, etc.) and I've also met CNAs with the same problem.

A good Charge nurse needs to be fair, firm, and treat all with respect.

Best of luck in regard to the position you applied for.

jsteine1 · Aug 25, 2005

You might be right. I was blessed that when I was a cna, the nurse was extremly nice and helpful. It was the other cna's that gave me fits. I can delegate pretty well, and as far as helping, I have no problem when I am caught up on my work, unless it is urgent. Thank-you for the input. I will keep it in mind. I wish you many blessing on your way to LPN :)

Management suggestions: Personally, I think managing all levels of staff should have great similarities. Demonstrating that you direct the licensed staff as well as the CNa staff in the same respectful manner will be critical. Ask opinions often, Catch people doing something right and announce it, ask CNAs to assist in developing Best practices. Be clear, firm and most of all consistent in your expectations, restate objectives and accountabilities. Require your licensed staff to be as respectful as you are. Create a positive culture on your floor via consistency, recognition, positive feedback publicly, negative feedback privately. Consider ways to "measure" performance and results. Everyone likes to know "how they're doing". Celebrate successes when ever possible in some small way. A pizza together at the meal break, perhaps. some token of value and appreciation. You'll be great!

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2005

Try and take your brakes with them...you will hear alot. Good advice from the other posters

cathy54 · Aug 25, 2005

I really appreciate the feed back. I am still waiting to hear, but I do not feel as anxious. Thanks so much

Mandylpn · Sep 2, 2005

IMO they want to get a feel for how you are with staff, particularly dealing with difficult ones :saint: because then they do not have to deal with it and you are the heavy. Next they all gang up and make you miserable at work. I wish you luck! :nurse:

luckymichelle · Sep 6, 2005

Fabulous advice!

Management suggestions: Personally, I think managing all levels of staff should have great similarities. Demonstrating that you direct the licensed staff as well as the CNa staff in the same respectful manner will be critical. Ask opinions often, Catch people doing something right and announce it, ask CNAs to assist in developing Best practices. Be clear, firm and most of all consistent in your expectations, restate objectives and accountabilities. Require your licensed staff to be as respectful as you are. Create a positive culture on your floor via consistency, recognition, positive feedback publicly, negative feedback privately. Consider ways to "measure" performance and results. Everyone likes to know "how they're doing". Celebrate successes when ever possible in some small way. A pizza together at the meal break, perhaps. some token of value and appreciation. You'll be great!

dbsn00 · Sep 10, 2005

Now this is just my opinion & from my experience - you cannot be "friends" with staff as a charge nurse. You'll be accused of favoritism, your "friends" will expect you to cover for them when something is not done. Of course you need to be pleasant, fair & respectful of the hard work they do but don't give in to every excuse because everyone is working hard (hopefully). I do charge of my unit when I have to & the CNAs just eat me up because I'm usually on the other side of the desk with them as the "real" workers (their quote, not mine!). "You like her better" or "Oh Dana, you know how Mrs. Smith acts" - & they're usually right - I DO like her better & I DO know how Mrs. Smith acts but when you're doing charge you're responsible. You don't want anyone to hate you of course but being "one of the gang" doesn't work either. I would have asked the DON if she was asking how you'd handle a certain problem, or the daily running of the unit, could she be more specific? Is there a problem with the unit CNAs recently or ongoing? Why aren't they filling the position in house? (Questions for future interviews :chuckle ).

:) Good luck!

jonamb · Nov 7, 2005

I realize this is a little in replying, and that you have probably figured things out already, but I just felt a need to answer. I have worked in the same LTC for 12 years. 10.5 yrs as a CNA, and the last 1.5 yrs as an LPN (charge nurse). The thing that bothered me the most was the use of the word "handled". People do not need to be handled. Just treat everyone with the same respect and courtesy that you expect to be treated with. And don't be afraid to "get your hands dirty". It is as much your responsibility as the CNAs to make sure the residents are well cared for. One of the worst things you can do is spend 10 minutes looking for a CNA to tell him/her that so-and-so needs the bedpan :banghead: My mother and my best friend work in the same facility that I do on the same shift (they are both CNAs). There are times when I am their supervisor. They know what they're jobs are and they know that I have a job to do, and we just treat each other respectfully. If I need them to do something, I ask them and they do it (and vice versa). I will admit that when I first got my license I was worried about how well things would go between myself and many of the CNAs that I worked with for years. Just remember, they know that you are in charge and they don't need constant reminders of that. I get along great with everyone that I work with. We talk, laugh, joke, hang out on break together when we get lucky enough to get to break at the same time. But I also know that when push comes to shove, I can count on them and they can count on me.

Sorry this is so long, but I feel better for saying this. I've worked with nurses who think they are superior because they went to nursing school and they drove me absolutely crazy. What I have noticed is that the ones who carry an attitude usually do not last long.

There will always be the CNA or other staff member who will try to bully you or make life difficult (okay, maybe that one needs to be reminded of who's in charge :chuckle ), but that is going to be true no matter where you work or what position you hold. Just remain professional and know that you are capable of making the right decisions and ultimately responsible for what occurs while you are there. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new experience as much as I have!