New Nurse needs some help... please!

[el_vee_en]

]Hi everyone :)

I am new, not only to this site but to nursing in general. I just graduated LVN school in August, and have only been a nurse for 4 months. I work in a LTC facility as a charge nurse at night. I have 40 residents and 1 aide. I was an aide for 4 years before going to LVN school, so I know the routine. My problem is... my aide. She was really good when she started a few months ago, but here lately things have changed. She has "attitude" when I ask her to do something, ask her if her rounds are done (properly), or if she is just sitting when there is something to be done. I ask her to check on someone, she huffs, a light goes off and she asks me who is on the light instead of getting up and finding out! I have caught her in several lies about people being changed or whatnot, and she will bold face lie right to me about things I know better. My question is... is it me, or do I have one of the bad ones? I don't spout orders and I am not mean, I am just matter of fact and expect that you know your job that you were hired for. I have told her several times things I expect, so she knows... she just doesn't do them. Eg: I have a resident with a stage 2 pressure sore that needs to be turned q2hrs... it ONLY gets done if I ask her if she did it! Her reply "oh yeah, I forgot."

When I talk to my fellow nurses about it, they all tell me "write her up!" Ok, well I am new to this too... I understand how it is to have 40 residents to yourself, and be under pressure, so I would feel bad, BUT I have told her verbally several times what she is to do and she knows what is expected. I know I am in a charge nurse position now, but I just need to know the RIGHT way of going about it.

What is a gal to do??

ANY advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would probably have an informal chat with her with a few dates and examples of how she is being a bit defiant and tell her that these offenses can be documented in her file if it continues. And, if it does, then, you know what you have to do. By then, your conscience should be a bit clearer because you at least warned her. I know it is hard, but it is your license on the line.

[spunky808]

I understand where you are coming from I was a c.n.a. six months before starting nursing school so it was bit hard for the transition at first. you just have to remember your job is not about the workers. you are an advocate for the patient. it sounds to me like you have warned her enough. at the start of shift i would pull her to the side and let her know what needs to be done. if its not done, at the end of her shift she would have a write-up waiting for her. it is important that your c.n.a. or whoever you are in charge of respect you as their boss and follow you orders as if the administrator or don would ask. sometimes its better said like this give them an inch, theyll take a mile. but you would be at fault at the end of the day.

hope this helps and good luck:jester: