What would you have said to this CNA

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I was almost done posting this but it went away? Sorry if it comes up twice???

Anyway, I am an RN on a busy day shift med-surg/onc floor. The other day it was crazy. It was about 1400 and I had not eaten or peed. I was starting to feel a bit sick. I told the HUC that I was not feeling well and that I was going to take a quick break to pee and eat something real quick. I told her to tell the CNA I was working with that I was not feeling good, would be back quickly, and to give her this note.

The note said - Take temp in 502 and get water for 507. Thanks

Well when I got back, the CNA working with me was livid. She demanded to talk to me in private. She says (and I quote) "I am not your N-word" (but she says the word if ya know what I mean) "You can't just leave me notes and expect me to do what you say"

I was just so shocked! First that she would use the N word (we are both white) and second, that she seemed to not care that I had to get off the floor for just a few min.

So I end up apologizing to HER, explaining why I left the note, and telling her how bad I had to take a quick break. She really didn't care, didn't even give the water or take the temp, and just talked trash about me for the rest of the shift. I heard her later telling the other cna's that 'she put me in my place"

this type of behavior is so dishearting for me, We should ALL be there to support eachother and the patients. What would you guys have done?

Specializes in OR.

I can appeal to both sides if you don't agree then thats unfortunate , this OP / RN needs to practice time management !

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Specializes in RN CRRN.

how can you take a side of a person one notch below those who perform hate crimes? No. I ask my CNA to do things because I am nice, but it is okay to leave a note with someone to do something. Jeez...maybe she would have a problem with the facility when she logs into the computer and sees all her tasks listed there yet to be charted on.....what is the difference....a computer task list vs a note?....no and I am sorry MrsNA....when you are a nurse you have totally different responsiblities. Our CNAs are always out on time....RNs not so much...so don't talk to us about time management. We don't want to stay late-we have to because we HAVE been toileting patients and refilling water--which we don't mind doing...but we are doing your tasks. I don't see you helping pass pills, calling Drs or assessing patients....no....sorry....

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

As a newer nurse I can totally understand your lack of food and br break! Most of the time I try to schedule it in within my head. When I get done with such and such, I'm taking a br break. I can't count the times when something really important comes up and there goes my potty break. It's not always an issue of time management, but of staffing. I never truly understood this as a cna as much as I do as a lpn now.

This cna sounds scarrrrry to me. To use any derogatory language especially in the work place makes me sick! Some people should never pursue a career in healthcare. When I worked as a cna I understood that na meant nursing assistant. This meant that part of my job is to take vital signs (2x's per shift) and waters as well. You weren't asking for anything that wasn't in her job description already. Hope she gets out of the profession before she puts a pt in 'their place'!

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I can appeal to both sides if you don't agree then thats unfortunate , this OP / RN needs to practice time management !

According to your profile, you aren't a nurse. How can a non-nurse tell an RN she needs to practice time management?

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.
I can appeal to both sides if you don't agree then thats unfortunate , this OP / RN needs to practice time management !

No you can't appeal to both sides. For one thing you are not a nurse and therefore you have no qualifications to criticise the OP's nursing practice. As an assistant you do not fully understand the role of the RN in the clinical setting.

And I would like to know how you can justify the use of racist slang and outright refusal to perform delegated tasks.

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Specializes in OR.

I would never personally act the way this CNA did , but maybe that CNA has issues with this particular RN . I really don't think that this behavior should be tolerated the CNA should be fired ......... I don't understand why the CNA reacted the way she did ????

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.
I would never personally act the way this CNA did , but maybe that CNA has issues with this particular RN . I really don't think that this behavior should be tolerated the CNA should be fired ......... I don't understand why the CNA reacted the way she did ????

If the CNA has issues with the RN then they need to deal with it in a professional manner such as speaking to the RN in private, or going to management with their problem. Instead they chose to use racist slang, refuse to work and then badmouth the nurse to everyone in the unit.

As for not understanding why they reacted...well why does it even matter why? The fact is that they behaved in a completely unacceptable manner. There is no why in this situation.

But to play along well maybe they simply have a bad attitude, they could be lazy, or they can't handle the CNA role because they don't like being asked to do something.

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Specializes in OR.

I did not want to upset everybody ,sorry if I did that was not my intention!!

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I don't feel that the OP should have to do anything but write her up, "N" word and all. Let the chips fall. The CNA accepted a job as an adult. I am sure she was made aware of her place on the team, and that it would not be Alpha.

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Disclaimer: I'm a soon-to-be CNA, and a student working toward RN. I have more business experience than medical.

A CNA reports to the RN or LVN, whoever he or she is assigned to report to that day. What was asked is within scope of practice. It sounds like the CNA in question has trouble taking orders, and will have serious ongoing problems being at the bottom of the totem pole. She may not last long as a CNA if her attitude doesn't improve.

That being said, OP: Learn to stand your ground. It sounds like you are not used to being in a management position, but the fact is that you ARE supposed to manage your CNAs. If they don't listen or take orders well, go report it to your manager.

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Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.
The CNA should have reacted in a professional manner and voice her vaild concerns

There was absolutely nothing valid about the CNA's concerns. Getting water and a temp is her job. If she thinks someone else should do that for her, she is right. And that someone is her replacement!:)

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Indeed, nothing was asked of her that was not in her scope of practice. To me she sounds like a real heifer! CNAs are to report to their RN/LVN and do as asked, be it face to face or in a note. I've had several nurses leave me notes on what they needed done and did them with no problem receiving orders via a note. It's not that difficult to take some B/Ps and hand out some water for crying out loud. Anyone who uses that kind of lanugage is ignorant and needs to find a job that doesn't require them to take care of people. Just my :twocents:

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