New Nurse Issues the CNAs

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

First, you have to lead by example. Don't dare let them see you do anything that against policy and or procedure.

The next time you give a direction and someone tells you "NO" that's insubordination and needs to be written up. Act swiftly, do it then. It cannot be tolerated. Same goes for the attitude. It really doesn't matter if you are 22 or 102.

As for abuse, that's not a "writing up" matter. Write them up, send them home, even if you have to take the track until the end of the shift.

Also, examine yourself. Has this set of circumstance made you too reactive? Remember we are all different and have different reactions to circumstances. Pick your battles, and stand your ground.

NYLiz · Oct 21, 2011

First, you have to lead by example. Don't dare let them see you do anything that against policy and or procedure.
The next time you give a direction and someone tells you "NO" that's insubordination and needs to be written up. Act swiftly, do it then. It cannot be tolerated. Same goes for the attitude. It really doesn't matter if you are 22 or 102.
As for abuse, that's not a "writing up" matter. Write them up, send them home, even if you have to take the track until the end of the shift.
Also, examine yourself. Has this set of circumstance made you too reactive? Remember we are all different and have different reactions to circumstances. Pick your battles, and stand your ground.

Thank you for the response, Someone else has told me the same thing choose your battles, but i cant tolerate someone disrespecting me i dont disrespect them i feel that this is a work place and theirs a line of respect that need to be met and its not. I cant choose theirs a certain way i feel things need to be done and thats by the book. I cant tolerate cursing at work, i cant tolerate double diapering, i cant tolerate lateness, rudeness, name-calling, siderails up when their supposed to be down, not reporting skin tears, and by the experienced nurses missing signatures, missing medication, medication errors, not giving medication, improper report, refusing to to rounds with me, missing orders, wrong paper work, and poorly writing nurses notes. i guess i am tooooo anal.

juswannabenurse · Oct 21, 2011

Hi, Im a CNA of ten years and nursing student. I must say that noone should have to get cursed at or abused by anyone. I hope that the same respect that you want from the CNA is the same respect that you give! I have experienced working for some great nurses and then there are those who think just because they are in charge they can talk to you like you are a child! I have no tolerance for those nurses! We are all adults regardless of who holds what position! I pray your situation gets better!

kool-aide, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Just wanted to say you seem like you have great ideals and morals, but as long as the pts are taken care of and are not in harm, let some things go.....with your long list of things that can't be tolerated, while there are some very good points, I think you're going to drive your coworkers insane. lol

Here's my best advice: treat everyone in your facility as your coworkers, especially the CNAs. Do not act like they're "less than you" because they will pick up on that and you won't work well together. Yes, you are responsible for their jobs, I get that, but don't treat them that way. Explain to them why you're checking up on them to make sure the work gets done.

QuenymamiRN · Oct 21, 2011

Personally, I wouldn't check up on anyone. If you notice something during rounds, med pass, etc... nice ask the CNA to do what ever it is "I noticed that Mrs. Smith needs to be turned on her left side, if you are not busy right now we can do it together". Sometimes the way you talk to people is what makes or breaks the conversation.

I am a young white girl myself and I am in charge of my unit. I am the only nurse on the floor. A lot of times my aides are tired and worn out. Sometimes we work with only 2 aides and we have a census of 52. I have to admit my aides are awesome! Couldn't ask for a better crew. However, on the other floors there is a hand full of aides that are problems. They don't want to help the nurse, go out of their way to cause problems.

I had an incident with one aide that didn't want to do anything and then tried to turn it around on me. She was also verbally abusive and short with the residents. I put my foot down and had her kicked off the unit and written up. I got written up too but for nonsense. I should have never been written up but in the end I am still happy because I don't have to work with her. Another aide that occasionally gave me problems knows I mean business now and has been nice and does her job . I make sure my staff knows I deeply care for my resident, I am on the ball and I want them treated with dignity and respect just as they would want their loved ones to be treated. I work hard and have gained a lot of respect from my staff members which definitely helps.

Race has nothing to do with anything. I have seen young black nurses bullied by the aides as well. Plus, one particular aide (she is black) adored one of the young white (italian) nurses. Don't know why she hated me so much and adored her but this woman just doesn't like anyone.

Another good tip is to not always believe what a patient may say but investigate and get the facts before you jump down someone's throat. I have seen some crazy things and patients whether they are alert and orientated x 3 and completely with it or demented will say things just to get attention. We have one lady that will yell "STOP, hitting me!! like she is being murdered and the aide is no one where near her.

katejane · Oct 21, 2011

Go buy the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People NOW!!! It's amazing and will help you to be a better leader, coworker, nurse, and in all of your other relationships. That's a promise. Do it.

Good luck

sharpeimom · Oct 21, 2011

i have always looked younger than i am. in first grade, it looked like a three year old had wandered into the wrong room. in junior high, when i became a cheerleader, i looked like a fifth grader. when i began college, i looked about twelve or thirteen. nursing was my second career, and when i began my very first nursing job, i was 28, but looked about 18. you really walk a narrow tightrope. you find yourself being challenged constantly, and usually about very. basic. things. not just by the cnas, but by the attendings, house staff, kitchen staff, visitors, family members etc. etc. etc. just keep reminding yourself of a few things: if you don't blow up at each episode, they'll come to respect you sooner, treat them as responsible knowledgeable adults although their schooling doesn't equal yours, you will be treated as the responsible adult in charge because you are, by virtue of your education, if not your years on this planet, your employer was impressed enough by your credentials, resume, and let's face it,

you, to hire you instead of someone else. some are going to test you to see what they can get away with and they must be dealt with swiftly or it will only get worse. i only had to send one aide home before things improved drastically! when they realize you mean business, they change.

on the other hand, remind yourself that there is usually more than one correct safe way to do something.

if "it" is safe, accomplishes the task, doesn't harm the patient, but isn't the way you do it, let it go.

if "susie" refuses to keep you updated on her patients, what about saying, "susie, i'd like a report on each of your patients by ___, but if you get hung up, i'll come find you about __. will she report as requested? nope. will she be easy to find at __? nope. but she will be found. you let her save face and shortly, she will report. you will only have to make an example once. i can practically guarantee

it!

they will soon realize you know your stuff. it's hard to have a boss your childrens' age. for some,it's galling. for others, it's almost impossible to always be lower on the totem pole.

if all else fails, keep reminding yourself that when most people are fifty, they look about fifty, :eek: but when you're fifty, you will probably look about 38 or 40!!:smokin:

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

LOL...I'm "24" to most people but actually well older than that.

Are you in LTC? There are a lot of threads on subjects like this and have dealth with it myself.

First off....I agree..pick your battles. Be respectfull of the rest of the staff. You do get more flies with honey....Let everyone know your willing to help or show them the correct way or get them help if they need it. Give verbal warnings first (unless it is an abuse etc situation where it is more serious). You don't need to be thier friends, but you need to work with them every day.

What about asking other managers for help on dealing with staff issues?

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Another reason I couldn't work in a nursing home! I don't want to have to manage or supervise people and its hard enough at the hospital. I've had the occasl CNA outright refuse and I just don't need the aggravation. My mom was a CNA and she told me I'm too soft and I should insist and tell them I'll write them up and then do so! I just don't want all the drama of writing someone up and then all the negative atmosphere after! I try to pick my battles. It is tiring having to take someone by the hand to get them to do their job or do it myself! Another reason I don't work extra!

Life would be so much easier if I could just use my brain and assessment nursing skills and not have to deal with these other issues and of course the wear and tear of my body! I do wish I had gone for an NP back in the day, but hindsight is 20/20! Also I love how the new idea is we shouldn't talk or be interrupted while passing meds!

Hey if only I could do my job without being interrupted! How many times during the shift are you interrupted from what you were in the middle of, too many times to count! It's amazing we do so well considering we are literally constantly interrupted from the moment we start till we leave! But I don't have a practical solution to the problem!

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

I am 22(and I look like I'm 12) and have to be a charge nurse on the floor.. not every time I work (Thank god!) but ..several times a month. I really haven't had THAT age drama be thrown at me. But I can sense it sometimes.

Remain professional and strong. Treat the CNAs with respect, and if they treat you otherwise then thats more "beef" for you when you go to write them up. When they start lashing out at you.. say nothing. But write everything down they are saying.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

I work in a facility at night. I am the youngest staff member and some people really think because im a young white girl i can be walked all over. This is not the case. I have written up people for insubordination, Abuse, Restraints. ect... I might be a young nurse im italian i dont take bull**** to kindly. I do my job and i do it well but CNA are not listening to me, They talk back, yell at me for questioning their care, like how dare i check up on them. I ve been told i can be your mother dont question me, ive been told dont talk to me anymore ( after i told her not to yell at me again or take that tone with me, because i had to leave a patient for 15 seconds to put their property away) so i responded to her thats perfectly fine as long as you tell me about the residents and their care and she responded NO! all this is happen as im giving report to unit director and that the director jumps in and tell her thats enough one more word ill write you up myself. she stopped talking and walked away. I mean just because i am 22 and a charge nurse on the floor doesnt give them the right to speak to me that way in the facility or on the street. Ive told my supervisor about it and she responded shes just excited thats how we talk somtimes. I just do get it. I need advise

Well, of course we are only hearing your side of the situation at hand, chances are that your CNA's would have some comments about the way you manage them as well.

For instance: checking up on them. Are you a micro-manager? NOONE (no matter what their level of education/training is) wants to feel as though their every move is being monitored. If cares are being performed, noone is being harmed, etc, do you really need to "check up on them"?

Do you ASK them to do things or TELL them? You seem pretty proud of your italian background and how you don't take any bull. Just the "tone" of your post seems a little brash and rough around the edges. Kill em' with kindness. The constant threat of you writing people up and DEMANDING respect cannot make for a pleasant work environment for ANYONE, and I shudder to think of how those under your care feel.

Your age also shows in your lack of puncuation and appropriate use of capital letters. Now before anyone blasts me for being the grammar police, I'm just wondering how the OP's superiors take the written complaints seriously if they are not being composed any better than this post....