Of Sunshine, happiness, daffodils and loss...

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

So a day off! Yippie! No having to get up early, no need to worry about whos tube is doing what, who is going to code, whos family is going to get upset despite your best....none of it! A sunny day, daffodils blooming outside my window for the first time in ages (Feb? Pretty good!). My heart is happy, I am full of sunshine!

Then the call came in...and changed all this...

You see, I never get attached to anyone at work..that has brought me grief! People come, people go...get use to it...ouch! But I am working at a place where who you work with is prime...good folks, all with one goal..making my residents life better! I couldn't work with a better team..and I have two best friends now after two years there....and today..this sunshine day with daffodils..one got fired!

She is a CNA, and a great one! More nurse than CNA and knows her stuff, and is earthy and realistic. I think I aspire to be like her in fact. She does all the little things and beyond for her residents...and one bad CNA who wants her timeslot won after months of watching her closely...and she screwed up, and got nailed! No warning for her excellent service for over 5 years....just the word of a mealy mouthed non licensed caregiver who wanted her time slot!!!!!!

My friend made a mistake..she took the timecard of another employee on break and signed them in..that is a fireable offence, and she will even admit that. Sadly word got out, and this little nobody with a loud mouth (who is rude, obnoxious, and been written up more times than I can count!) told admin and she was fired!

So yep..this daffodil day I am in shock! A great wonderful CNA fired because of word of mouth (how can you prove she did it anyway..finger prints???).

But what makes me most upset..is I just experienced a loss! A LOSS. Yes, a friend...it is hard enough to keep your outside of work friends in nursing let alone those you find at work. Outside of work I am a hermit...and so is she. I feel like I just lost my best friend...because without work...we won't see eachother.

I am trying to be positive, heck...she is...we came up with all sorts of things that she could be doing that would make her life 10 fold...so I know she will be okay..and this may be a blessing! But I still struggle with the loss...

Why is it that the squeeky wheel gets more attention or respect sometimes than the one doing its job! The co-workers we complain about always seem to win..at our expense? What can we do?

Thanks for listenening...I know I am far from alone...please share..it may help me too!

[Liddle Noodnik]

So a day off! Yippie! No having to get up early, no need to worry about whos tube is doing what, who is going to code, whos family is going to get upset despite your best....none of it! A sunny day, daffodils blooming outside my window for the first time in ages (Feb? Pretty good!). My heart is happy, I am full of sunshine...

Something like that - I would break my own rule and find a way to reach her. Friends like that don't come easy!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{TriageRN_34}}}}}}}}}]

[Aneroo, LPN]

I'm sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine the loss the residents at your facility must feel.

However, I am a firm believer in that things happen for a reason, and that things will come back on someone (karma). I truely believe this "bad" CNA will get what she deserves at some point, although not now when you want it.

Again, sorry for your loss. -A

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Something like that - I would break my own rule and find a way to reach her. Friends like that don't come easy!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{TriageRN_34}}}}}}}}}]

Thanks, (wipes tears)...I have to..I can't loose her! She lives an hour or more away..that makes it harder. But I guess we both have to break our hermit stages and stay in touch...but so many times that always fades over time...but I will try...I can't do more than my best..and I will....

But how one nobody causes a great loss to staff and residents? How can it happen so easily! My friend treated her residents for 5 years and was escorted out like a criminal not being able to even say goodbye!!! OUCH..thanks for 5 years..now let security escort you to your car and never look back! This is a small town! What a way to treat someone?!?!?!?

Once my home loan is done, I will leave that employer..their loyalty is obvious..and not worth my time or license! They care little for those that truely care about the people they tend! They can GTHeck...and no doubt I will make some statement to the fact that this was a factor in my leaving! But till then...I get to play dumb and routine...and that hurts me, never was one to play that unless I had to...

What have others done to overcome the loss of a dear co-worker who was fired?????

[SmilingBluEyes]

I am sorry. You are down....and I do not blame you. Seems to me, the practice of firing others in "say-so" is shaky at best. I think I would watch for the next knife, that it does not land in MY back. Eek.

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

So sorry, Triage.

Life just doesn't seem fair at all, does it?

You WILL find a way to keep in touch with this friend, and yes, this other person will be the cause of her OWN undoing as well.

In the meantime, all I can offer is ((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))).

Try to learn from your precious daffodils... bend with the wind, drink up the rain that threatens to drown, withstand the storms that come your way. Then when they have passed.. hold your pretty head up high, stand tall, firm, and proud... continue to shine, and allow others to bewonder your strength and your beauty.

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

OH I so hear you....it is a totally known fact that I ..the RN in charge..and the CNA that was fired are friends....oh I am going to get my earfull and questions into my thoughts..heck, I have that one practiced in a mirror and down pat in prep! Happens when you work small town assisted living! Everyone knows when you have a BM..let alone who your friends are, and that you are proably going to get a bit ticked!

No I am covered there...the same ol same ol...use key words like 'That was a management choice, I have a loyalty to my patients and I will continue that task...so this has no bearings on this!"....yada yada yada...and we all know it is untrue..this has bearings..this was not fair to that staffmember..friend or not..or the residents! And that...well I can't do much...but like she told me, and I admitted..I need the job right now for my home...I need that home so badly..so I will endure this...and get one heck of a hug from her when I finally get it on the property..and I promiced her....a willow will be in her name at my home..and she is going to provide it...not for weaping...just her favorite tree! LOL! (heck I like it too..tried to talk her into golden rod..but she loves willows..what can ya do!?!?).

But I am aware I too am under close watch..if I show favoritism or even vengence as slight as it can be...I am in trouble. Great...so that horrid caregiver got a 'get out of jail free' card because she had my friend fired, and I am a supervisor..if I tattle on her..I am in trouble....oh heck with that..I am like I always am...when it comes to patient safety..I don't care...take my job...I will report it no matter what the grapevine says!!!!!!

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Try to learn from your precious daffodils... bend with the wind, drink up the rain that threatens to drown, withstand the storms that come your way. Then when they have passed.. hold your pretty head up high, stand tall, firm, and proud... continue to shine, and allow others to bewonder your strength and your beauty.

OMG..that was the most wonderful thing! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! I am always so down in the winter...and once I see a daffodil I cheer up and become a very happy person again...these words are AWESOME and if you don't mind I have them copied and will ask them to be written in calligraphy on my wall! No kidding at all! That was really great!!!!!!!

Heck..you think some daffodils can withstand an hours drive...I should give her some..and me too!!!! LOL!!!!!!

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

Try to learn from your precious daffodils... bend with the wind, drink up the rain that threatens to drown, withstand the storms that come your way. Then when they have passed.. hold your pretty head up high, stand tall, firm, and proud... continue to shine, and allow others to bewonder your strength and your beauty.

OMG..that was the most wonderful thing! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! I am always so down in the winter...and once I see a daffodil I cheer up and become a very happy person again...these words are AWESOME and if you don't mind I have them copied and will ask them to be written in calligraphy on my wall! No kidding at all! That was really great!!!!!!!

Heck..you think some daffodils can withstand an hours drive...I should give her some..and me too!!!! LOL!!!!!!

Daffies happen to be my alltime favorites as well.. for much the same reason.

And yes.. they will last.. they are as strong as they are beautiful.

Wrap them in some well soaked paper towels and foil over that. Or place in a travel cup with some water. They'll be fine. I'm sure they will brighten her day. :)

[Antikigirl, ASN, RN]

Thanks Jnette...I just may do that tomorrow...give her time to soak it all in....can't be fun to deal with being fired..and I talked to her on the phone (and I so will not be the only one! LOL!)...

I think I will give her that..and a few bulbs so she will always see them and remember she is very much loved! Even if it is only once a year...it will always remind her....

I can't express how good she is with people...I am green with envy...she is so great! She suffered great losses of family, and even at 14 she had to tend to ill and dying grandparents because her mother was gone to work....she has the compassion and gives it so easily...she is to be honored seriously..she is far more than me! I am good..she is aspiring!!!!! A great loss to my residents..and to other staff...but I do have great hopes that maybe her skills were needed elsewhere...and the time was now...

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

Thanks Jnette...I just may do that tomorrow...give her time to soak it all in....can't be fun to deal with being fired..and I talked to her on the phone (and I so will not be the only one! LOL!)...

I think I will give her that..and a few bulbs so she will always see them and remember she is very much loved! Even if it is only once a year...it will always remind her....

I can't express how good she is with people...I am green with envy...she is so great! She suffered great losses of family, and even at 14 she had to tend to ill and dying grandparents because her mother was gone to work....she has the compassion and gives it so easily...she is to be honored seriously..she is far more than me! I am good..she is aspiring!!!!! A great loss to my residents..and to other staff...but I do have great hopes that maybe her skills were needed elsewhere...and the time was now...

You are more than welcome, Triage.

Your coworker and friend sounds like an admirable person.. one we would ALL dearly love to have on board.

I, too, was thinking along those lines.. perhaps this was a means to get her out to something new and where she was needed even more. Sometimes we have to be bashed on the head to take notice. It hurts.. but just for a little while. I believe your friend has something good in store for her. :)

I would advise her to not let her grieving or anger/disappointment cloud her vision and obscure the path she is to follow.

Wish her the best.. and you, too, will overcome. By all means, bring her some bulbs of those daffodils with their happy, bobbing, smiling faces ! :) :) :)

[webblarsk]

So sorry for the loss! I know how you feel. I have watched management get rid of wonderful people and choose to keep crappy ones! Never understood it. Always made me angry.