New Job -- Unfriendly Welcome By Staff

Nurses Relations

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I start my new job tomorrow as LPN in ALF, I am excited! This past week I have gone into the job 4 days in a row for interview, paperwork, TB results, Orientation. etc. Since day one I felt the hostility amongst the CNAS. I was able to overlook that since the administration was absolutely lovely and welcoming. I also apprecaited that the DON took the time to explain to me the personal side of their facility and that is; they do have attitude problems. I appreciated that the DON told me she did not want me to walk in blindsided, she gave me plenty of examples of what has recently gone on and ways to deal with situations. Nothing too bad just certain personalities. Also, while sitting in her office I whitnessed a few scenarios and loved the way that the DON handled the situation fast and professional. It made me feel comfortable to address an issue if needed and not feel like i am getting somebody in trouble. Today was my last runaround day before starting tomorrow. I walked out taking a big deep breath cause the CNA's truly are rude and impolite. I could not believe the things I heard them say and do in front of the DON! I hear a lot about CNA's trying to run off new nurse's so I am prepared to deal with hostility and I am prepared to brush it off, kill them with kindness, not feed into the negativity type thing.

I am just hoping that tomorrow goes smooth! And that when I start off alone and out of training they aren't too hard on me! However I will give the job 6mos-a year and if the environment of staff is taking a big toll on me and cannot be resolved or lightened, I may have to seek elsewhere.

One positive point to make is that I will be training, and have met with 1st shift yet I will be sccheduled primarily for 3rd so i will not have to deal with these particular meanies!

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Good luck :)

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Take a cue from the DON and handle anything with professionalism. I think often CNA's are treated as if they are less than smart, so often they will not be friendly or welcoming. CNA's can be one of your best resources. They know the patients like the back of their hands, and will notice if someone's condition changes. So if you are going in as charge, I would "check in" as often as I could--"things going OK? Do you think Mr. So and So is not himself tonight?" CNA work is very, very hard. I don't know why the burn-out rate is not higher. I think that fostering a sense of "team" may take a bit, but is so worth it--you can't be everywhere at once and CNA's are your eyes and ears when you can't be. Best of luck in your new position!!

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Although trying to get along with them is true, never forget who has the license. The CNA is working under your license and regardless of how they act it is still part of your job to protect the safety of your patients. If they are doing something inappropriate it's necessary that you call them on it. Of course they will test you to see what your made of so grow thick skin and be strong!!

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Take a cue from the DON and handle anything with professionalism. I think often CNA's are treated as if they are less than smart, so often they will not be friendly or welcoming. CNA's can be one of your best resources. They know the patients like the back of their hands, and will notice if someone's condition changes. So if you are going in as charge, I would "check in" as often as I could--"things going OK? Do you think Mr. So and So is not himself tonight?" CNA work is very, very hard. I don't know why the burn-out rate is not higher. I think that fostering a sense of "team" may take a bit, but is so worth it--you can't be everywhere at once and CNA's are your eyes and ears when you can't be. Best of luck in your new position!!

I found it a bit unprofessional that a DON would tell a new employee the dirty laundry on the place.... JMHO :)

Good CNAs are invaluable...sounds like this bunch has the DON by the tail.... again...jmho :)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I am prepared to deal with hostility and I am prepared to brush it off, kill them with kindness, not feed into the negativity type thing.

This is a good plan and it just takes time. In my experience f you stick to your resolve to be nice and helpful to your techs the majority will eventually come to appreciate you and treat you accordingly. A good tech is invaluable and fwiw I have also found that there are a couple who on a personal level I really dislike but they are great at their job and that makes it worth putting up with them. They might say the same about me, lol. :)

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I'm not really sure how you can say the CNAs are unfriendly to you if you haven't even started working yet. You're just going on what the DON has told you. You should really wait and see what the working reality is. It seems like you're already starting off with a negative opinion of your co-workers. That's just setting you up for difficulties.

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Keep in mind that they wouldn't be acting up in front of the DON if that behavior weren't par for the course. Something not quite right about this situation. Don't be surprised down the line.

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If they are giving the Don this BS, rest assured... you will receive worse.

You will NOT be able to kill them with kindness. That effort is viewed as weakness.

Be direct and firm with all requests, IMMEDIATELY document in writing any behavioral problems in the context that negatively impacts patient care.

Keep looking for other job prospects. I'm sorry to say... this one isn't going to work out.

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i have no problem with the DON filling this nurse in.

maybe these particular aides, had driven off previous employees?

when i worked ltc, the DON basically warned me of the same thing.

and it was reputed that the aides "ran the place".

while i never understood why the DON put up with it, it seemed to me she was afraid of losing/firing anyone, for fear of remaining aides being overburdened, and that she'd likely have a hard time filling the positions.

so when i started, they'd all speak in their native tongue, while leering at me with hostility.

when i delegated something, they would never acknowledge whether they heard me or not.

if they didn't do it, i wrote them up (i was going to be damned if i was going to be intimidated.

yet, i was the first one there when anyone needed help.

when we were short-staffed, i would take a couple of pts, to take some of the pressure off.

op, while i do understand you responding with kindness, they still need to respect you.

be confident and firm when delegating.

don't let anyone bully or dominate the situation.

i wish you the best of luck.:)

leslie

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they'd all speak in their native tongue, while leering at me with hostility.

when i delegated something, they would never acknowledge whether they heard me or not

Got that treatment just a little while ago while interviewing. The techs up front looked me up and down and snarled and pouted as if I told them they couldn't text at work. Seriously they looked like they were going to vomit on themselves in protest. They must have been no more than 17 or so. OMG, not interested in teen coworkers if I can help it.

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i have no problem with the DON filling this nurse in.

maybe these particular aides, had driven off previous employees?

when i worked ltc, the DON basically warned me of the same thing.

and it was reputed that the aides "ran the place".

while i never understood why the DON put up with it, it seemed to me she was afraid of losing/firing anyone, for fear of remaining aides being overburdened, and that she'd likely have a hard time filling the positions.

so when i started, they'd all speak in their native tongue, while leering at me with hostility.

when i delegated something, they would never acknowledge whether they heard me or not.

if they didn't do it, i wrote them up (i was going to be damned if i was going to be intimidated.

yet, i was the first one there when anyone needed help.

when we were short-staffed, i would take a couple of pts, to take some of the pressure off.

op, while i do understand you responding with kindness, they still need to respect you.

be confident and firm when delegating.

don't let anyone bully or dominate the situation.

i wish you the best of luck.:)

leslie

Then the DON has nothing to whine about if she continues to employ them (especially if it may taint the view of a new recruit) .... JMHO :)

Definitely be firm :)

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