I work with two CNAs that don't drive. One (Amy) simply doesn't have a license due to a mental/physical disability since birth. The other (Kim) has a license and a car, but the car is broken down and she can't afford the repairs. Both expect a ride home from coworkers every day.
Amy often goes to a friend's house instead of to her home. Her friend's house is literally two blocks from the facility where we work. She has never even asked me for a ride, she simply waits by my car and gets in when I unlock the doors. Kim lives about three miles away and used to ask for a ride, but now she simply tells me she will be waiting for me. They do the same thing to other coworkers who drive.
It isn't a big deal because it only takes about ten or fifteen minutes to get them both home. I don't think that any of us spend much extra money on gas. I think there is just some frustration with being expected to deliver them to wherever they need to go. Neither has ever offered to pitch in for gas.
Kim is a single mom who leaves her children with her mother while she works. A few days ago, Kim's mother called her while we were on our way to her house. She was concerned because Kim wasn't home yet. I only heard one side of the conversation, but Kim made the comment to her mother, "The nurse who is taking me home didn't manage to get out on time. She really needs to be more considerate of the fact that I have obligations at home." It was a long and lousy night. I was tempted to pull over and tell her to get out (not that I ever would, but it certainly annoyed me).
All of us who take them home have similar issues. We are just seeking some advice on how we can reduce our frustration about this. One of the CNAs that gives them rides has said she is going to start charging them fifty cents every time she gives them a ride.
Also one day when someone was dropping Amy off, her car died in the parking lot of Amy's apartment complex. She ended up having to call her husband to get it moved and eventually restarted. Amy told her that her car is a piece of junk and that she got in trouble with her landlord for having a friend's car in the lot overnight. She said that from now on Amy and Kim can just walk.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
You said that she works as an LPN, so presumably she has health insurance, right? Why would "everyone" have to pay for her medical care?
Because by the time she gets lung cancer or liver failure, she won't be able to work and will be on the "disabled" list. That health insurance goes away pretty quickly once you lose your job. That means everyone pays for her.
And assuming she does have insurance, that means that the pool of insured are paying more to cover such catrosphic illnesses.
I've been on both sides of the fence on this one. Being too poor to afford a reliable vehicle in a rural area where there is literally zero other alternative is really, really crappy. I know very well the stress of having your car break down, knowing that paying the $100 for towing alone is going to break the bank, never mind what's actually Wrong with it. I remember quite well the panic you enter when you are depending on somebody to give you a ride and they're late and thus you're late, or they don't show and you have to call an angry manager and let her know you're trying to get there. I feel physically stressed right now just thinking about it and I've had a good running vehicle for over a year now.
That said, I never had a coworker give me rides to or from work. It's one thing to ask my family and friends to take on additional responsibility because of my misfortune, but I couldn't ask anybody from work to do it (I don't typically make friends at work). What these girls are doing is unacceptable no matter what their circumstances are. If they won't realize it, you have to make them realize it.
All you have to do is say that you're going to need $10 a week from each of them if you're going to continue taking them home. That's not an unreasonable amount, and certainly much cheaper than what any other form of transportation would cost them. But even then, I'd only do it if you WANT to, which it seems like you don't. If that's the case, then simply don't. Tell them no. Do it at the beginning of the shift, not when they're standing at your car, but do it.
Wow. Even small towns have taxis, and if nothing else the two blocks person can certainly walk. I wouldn't dream of even asking if I were her, except maybe in exceptionally bad weather. 3 miles is not that far, either- pretty quick on a bicycle.
I'm curious, are they of a different culture? I know some cultures have a much blurrier line when it comes to use of other people's property and time, and that's about the only explanation I can come up with for this behavior. Or maybe that culture is from another planet...
I work with a girl that doesn't have a car that always takes a cab to and from work. She only asked me for a ride once, when a mishap happened at work and she had to spend her cab money. Otherwise she has never asked, even though we frequently work the same shift and her place is only slightly out of my way. Honestly, I'm impressed.
One of them has "mental/physical disability from birth", how manipulative and entitled can she be?
I don't think you need to provide employee transportation but this seems to have been something that has been customary at your work. How did that happen?
She was hired about ten years ago as a "comfort aide." She mostly passed water and linen. When we were very short staffed, some not so bright DONs let her work the floor. Coworkers covered for her when she couldn't do things like chart (everyone in the building is ambulatory according to her) or care for residents with more complex needs. She is a whole other can of worms.
I don't know how it started. Two of the other CNAs always took them home, but one thing lead to another and they stopped doing it. Kim and a CNA that drives had a huge falling out and they can barely work together now (another can of worms).
Wow. Even small towns have taxis, and if nothing else the two blocks person can certainly walk.
This small town does not have taxi service other than the van for the elderly. Really...there is NO public transportation at all. We have a few ministers that will help in a pinch, but really, that is it.
After reading all of this and being asked questions, I am starting to see what a mess this place is! Yikes!
Their transportation is not your problem. I don't mind giving someone a ride once in a while, but the self-centered comments would have ended the free rides. If they don't want to walk, they can call a taxi. And I would be that blunt.
You've mentioned OP that there are no taxis. That's not your problem either. They can walk or find someone else. I would have no problem telling them exactly that.
Boomer here -- and we don't -- or at least I don't -- know which generation the OP belongs to, but this isn't a generational problem. At least, not the generation of the poster being taken advantage of. There are plenty of folks from every generation who allow themselves to be taken advantage of. And this is what is going on here -- the OP has allowed these two to take advantage of her from the get go. One ride is one thing. A ride two blocks when it's raining cats and dogs a couple of times a year is another thing. A daily ride for two weeks while the car is in the shop (I admit, I'm very glad that I had a co-worker two blocks away who was willing to help me out when we worked the same shift) is yet another thing. But this has been going on for awhile now, and the poster is finally wondering what to do to put a stop to it. Not a generational thing, but perhaps a personality thing.
I applied a generational context based on my own experiences, but of course, one can be a push over at any age/era. I just happen to believe that kowtowing is more common among the GenY and Millennial crowd. I have counseled them and witnessed how afraid they can be to speak up for and defend themselves. Even with an issue such as bullying -- bullying has existed since the beginning of time, but back in the day 'we' were taught to stand up to and fight(verbally and/or physically) the bully and take away his/her power. Nowadays, kids develop psychological complexes and/or commit suicide over bullies rather than defend themselves. It's such a generational characteristic.
As for the health insurance issue, yes Medicaid and Medicare is a shared expense. Last time I had a healthcare discussion on this forum many of you were touting the idea of single-payer as a good thing, so now you're worried about footing the bill for one woman?
A few of you folks are making a lot of assumptions about the woman's future health based on one gas station encounter. Perhaps, some of you missed your calling as psychics?
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Just because one has a mental/physical disability, she can still do the work of a CNA. Being a CNA is pretty tough & demanding work so she can either pay for the gas or walk the 2 blocks.
The other girl, if she is that ungrateful she can walk as well. I know she has kids to take care of & kids are expensive. But it is her duty to get to & from work & that doesn't fall on anyone else.
I can't believe how entitled both of them are, it makes me sick! Even just offering to pay for gas (even if they don't mean it) would mean a lot. If I saw either one of them in my car I would make them get out or call the cops! I would tell them I'm not giving them a ride any more, you don't have to give them a reason, no is enough.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Nope...small town. The only thing resembling public transportation is a van that will take elderly people to the grocery store or clinic. I don't know why I am beating myself up over this. I just don't feel like giving them rides and I think my coworkers agree. It is almost comical (but kind of cruel too) to see us trying to avoid them so they can't ask for a ride or wait patiently by our cars.
They both have rides to work, but no one wants to drag out of bed to take them home at six in the morning. Amy's sister drops her off. Not sure how Kim gets to work.
But that's their problem. I agree with others that you need to set a firm date when your taxi service is going to be cut off. You're not being selfish; if anything, you have been more than gracious.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Oh I forgot to add, I live in a small town as well, no public transportation. I wouldn't feel bad to NOT give these two girls a ride unless they chipped in for gas or were at least grateful.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
She's employed as an LPN correct, so presumably has health insurance, right? Why would "everyone have to pay for her medical care?
I would assume he's thinking of when she inevitably ends up needing to be on SSDI, making her a moocher on the taxpayers...just like I'm a moocher because I'm on SSDI due to cancer.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,051 Posts
Because by the time she gets lung cancer or liver failure, she won't be able to work and will be on the "disabled" list. That health insurance goes away pretty quickly once you lose your job. That means everyone pays for her.
And assuming she does have insurance, that means that the pool of insured are paying more to cover such catrosphic illnesses.