Hi guys.
Well, as some of you know, I will be starting nursing school in fall, but for now I am taking pre-req's and am in CNA school every weekend. I love it, and will graduate as a CNA in May. Anyway, I have a question/concern. My class has been doing clinicals in the ECU of a certain hospital every Sunday thus far. Now, I personally really enjoy working with the elderly, but am aware it's not for everyone. Apparently though, it is certainly not for the staffed CNA that already works on the floor. Granted, I know I am a "visitor" in her hospital when I do my clinicals, but what my fellow students and I have witnessed is abuse in my opinion. This past sunday, not only did this CNA snap at my classmates and me a few dozen times for no reason, but more importantly she was so mean to the patients. There was this very ill elderly woman on an NG tube, catheter, about 80 lbs. and had muscles that were pretty much atrophied in the fetal position. Everytime someone would try and bathe her she would scream. I know that this must be difficult to hear each day, but the CNA on the floor came into the patients room to "help" my classmate with her care and the lady started to scream. The CNA said very angrily, "If she's gonna do that, just let her lie there!" She also threw the patients around very roughly like a sack of potatos and cussed profanely in front of them about their "stool" being everywhere! It was horrifying to see, and I know from stories on here that this stuff occurs all over. What I don't understand is, if someone like this woman obviously hates what she is doing, why not quit and work as a waitress or something? It surely pays better. Whay would she continue to stay and abuse patients? It's just really heart-wrenching to see and makes me really sad. I believe my instructer reported her, but I know for a fact that this CNA has been reported before, and she's STILL there! :angryfire What can be done about people like this? How can we save the vaulnerable from abusive people like this?? Sorry if I seem so dramatic, it's just that this is the first,(and I'm sure not last) time that I've witnessed this kind of behavior personally. Thanks for letting me vent. Louisepug