Just needed to share this HILARIOUS phone call we received at my new job. I work in a home care agency, and we also have a CNA/MA school associated with the company. Our marketing girls have been doing great work advertising and our phones have been ringing off the hook all week with potential candidates.
I got one call on Friday that totally made my week. Here is approximately how it went:
"(insert company name here), Julie speaking."
"Hi ummm, I was wondering ummmm what was the policy ummm in your CNA school umm on ummm....drug testing."
"(total silence on my part while I try to avoid laughing out loud and peeing my pants). Yeah, just a second, Im going to transfer you to our school, they can better answer your question. (This is where I put her on hold and proceed to warn our school receptionist to go pee before taking this call, and transfer it)
The receptionist later called me back, laughing, to say that when she told this obviously high `lady`that our policy was random drug testing, whenever we want to, she hung up on her.
When I questioned how in the WORLD someone like that would think to try to get work in healthcare, I was told that in the state of Georgia, CNAs need no more than an 8th grade education, and can be as young as 16yrs old. WHAT?! If someone cant manage to do something as simple as getting a high school diploma, or at the very least the GED, how can we place patient care in their hands?!
Ok, just needed to share and vent a little, thanks guys! :)
Pets to People, I don't know if you have your nursing degree/license yet, but you are going to make a wonderful nurse/must be a wonderful nurse!!!! I wish other nurses had your compassion and respect for others. :)
OP, I thought the post was humorous and thanks for posting. Two people hearing a phone call which ended in a hang up by those that answer many calls seems like enough evidence for me to believe the scenario was like you said. Now, you could be racist, ignorant, judgemental, or worse. Or you could have had a funny phone call that you wanted to share.
I normally assume that a poster has at least average intelligence and discernment before I roast the living h""" out of them. Some here at allnurses do the opposite.
if both of us who took the call noticed that this girl sounded like she was very much under the influence, maybe there was something to it. we are not dumb, and we know the difference between high and nervous. if there was nothing shady about asking us this question, like a reader responded, she could have clarified why she wanted to know. she could have not hung up after being told.
i didn't get that from your first post, that the caller was high.
all you quoted, was her saying "umm, umm"...
and it was only the receptionist who mentioned about her being high.
i have an awesome sense of humor, but didn't understand the ' bending over laughing, pee-your-pants type of hilarity.
whether she was high or not, i can understand raising an eyebrow or rolling one's eyes...
but not the contemptuous sneering that i read.
then theres the idea that if you are under the influence, (and i get that some people have rough lives and still need to pay their bills, and assuming that this was the case for her, its commendable that she wants to work and not be on welfare or anything), then you certainly dont want to be calling your prospective employers when you are/sound like you are high. it doesnt show a very high level of responsibility, especially with clientele like we have in our company, catastrophic patients who require total care and have narcotic medications prescribed...guess i should have explained all in more detail to avoid having the pc police hunt me down with torches and pitchforks :s
seriously dude, this has absolutely nothing to do with being pc with torches/pitchforks.
everyone is going to perceive it differently.
and since i am not belittling those who feel differently than i, i'll appreciate you doing the same with me and others.
seriously dude, this has absolutely nothing to do with being pc with torches/pitchforks.
everyone is going to perceive it differently.
and since i am not belittling those who feel differently than i, i'll appreciate you doing the same with me and others.
thanks.
leslie
ok, so people attacking me for being judgmental, racist, ignorant, or basically saying i wasnt a compassionate nurse for this is ok, and i shouldnt react to it? the two of us who spoke to her thought she sounded high, then she hangs up when she is told what our policy is on drug testing. now, maybe this was so funny to me due to it being friday and being really tired. or maybe its just that i cant convey the tone of voice the right way. but i am really not judgmental, this is really how she was perceived by both of us.
i also dont see why people are getting their panties in a bunch over the ged or hs diploma thing. in fact, in my opinion it just goes to show how much i value the cna position and how much they do for the healthcare team as a whole. maybe its just that ive worked with amazing cnas during my career so far, so i know how valuable and important they are, for more than just passing out water pitchers and changing diapers(or wtv you guys call them down here, since i only know them by their french name). i actually think its condescending on everyone elses part for acting like it doesnt matter that cnas dont have to be educated because "anyone can do their job"...
but wtv, just my two cents. i guess i will know from now on that its just not safe to post stories on here without being attacked for being supposedly judgmental...people need to stop taking everything so darn seriously...
Not a bit of "give" in ya? several persons have pointed out that at least the second part of your post came across, hmm elitist? at the least, now instead of thinking about that, you immediately attack. Now you are simply sounding like a recalcitrant child. Remember, perception is oft more important than truth.....
Ok, so people attacking me for being judgmental, racist, ignorant, or basically saying I wasnt a compassionate nurse for this is ok, and I shouldnt react to it? The two of us who spoke to her thought she sounded high, then she hangs up when she is told what our policy is on drug testing. Now, maybe this was so funny to me due to it being Friday and being really tired. Or maybe its just that I cant convey the tone of voice the right way. But I am really not judgmental, this is really how she was perceived by both of us.
I also dont see why people are getting their panties in a bunch over the GED or HS diploma thing. In fact, in my opinion it just goes to show how much I value the CNA position and how much they do for the healthcare team as a whole. Maybe its just that Ive worked with amazing CNAs during my career so far, so I know how valuable and important they are, for more than just passing out water pitchers and changing diapers(or wtv you guys call them down here, since I only know them by their french name). I actually think its condescending on everyone elses part for acting like it doesnt matter that CNAs dont have to be educated because "anyone can do their job"...
But wtv, just my two cents. I guess I will know from now on that its just not safe to post stories on here without being attacked for being supposedly judgmental...people need to stop taking everything so darn seriously...
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
This is a reminder that it is perfectly alright to have a lively debate. This means you are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite. Additionally, please refrain from name-calling. This is divisive, rude, derails the thread and the thread will be closed for a cooling off.
The first priority is to the members that have come here because of the flame-free atmosphere we provide. There is a zero-tolerance policy here against personal attacks. We will not tolerate anyone insulting other's opinion nor name calling.
Our call is to be supportive, not divisive.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I believe that there should be some educational minimal requirement for those trusted to care for our most vulnerable and ill populations. I believe CNA's are a vital member of the healthcare team and with certification by the state there is a guarantee of an entry level competency even if still in high school is the point of the of the conversation.
The bigger focus here should be the first question asked is "Do you drug screen?". The OP was sharing a work story and should feel free to do so.
We can all agree to disagree without being disagreeable.
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
I think the thing that troubles me about the OP post is the perceived "hilarity" of the call. I'm sorry, but I didn't get that (maybe it's because I'm old and grayheaded and tired from commuting 2 hours one way, but that's a story for another day). Anyway, it is concerning that the caller's first question was dealing with drug testing. And, it was concerning that there appeared to be a lack of compassion in your tone. And, as far as a GED, becoming a CNA at 16 or whatever, I, along with many others (probably? possibly?) became a CNA at 16, after an intensive course to be certified in the state in which I lived at the time. Getting a GED is something to be proud of, especially when one has had numerous hurdles to jump to get there, hurdles that perhaps prevented one from getting a full high school education. Nothing to do with being PC, nor attacking the OP, just expressing my thoughts/opinions.
I completely agree with you, it is extremely commendable to anyone who does go get a GED. I have said that in previous posts. I think, like I also said, that it was simply concern for our very vulnerable patients that makes me think there should be a higher level of minimum education required to be a CNA. I have been fortunate enough to work with CNAs who never gave me cause for concern since I have been licensed, so maybe this led me to believe this would be the case everywhere.
As far as my post sounding elitist, Im sorry if it came across that way. I didnt mean it to. Like I said, I think its fantastic when people do go back to school if they have dropped out, no matter the reason. Again, perhaps my background taints my opinion, because I come from an area with very low drop-out rates, then when I wrote the GED to be licensed in GA, I couldnt believe how different it was from exams to get your regular HS diploma.
I was simply trying to convey concern at who might be allowed to care for our VERY vulnerable patients (again, our agency cares for paraplegic/quadriplegic patients).
Plus, it had been a VERY long week, I was exhausted, and this womans tone just tickled my funny bone. I didnt realize how hard it would be to get this across over a thread :S
I do apologize to anyone I might have offended, it was not intended. However, I do think many of you over-reacted to all that was said. Maybe these are sensitive topics with some of you, but I have just learned to see the humor in things when I can to avoid going the burn-out route in this wonderful profession and life-choice of ours.
I became a CNA at 17 (although it was allowed at younger ages in my state). My school had a vocational program that allowed you to earn certifications and licenses. This included being a CNA, cosmotologist, mechanic, etc. It was a great program encouraged by our high school so that kids would have maximum exposure to all fields and options (and not just college). And maybe I should mention I went on to graduate 2nd in my high school class. My point is that just because someone doesn't have their high school degree, doesn't mean their not intelligent and they can't be a CNA. Of course, I went on to get my BSN and am now working on my Master's. I think it's great you want to set high standards for the people who care for our patients-things like "good work ethic" and "respectful" are at the top of my standards list. To me, a GED/diploma isn't synonymous with intelligence or a good work ethic. Just my two cents. Don't hesitate to post things now it all helps us with a little self-discovery and makes us think.
And I take offense at your "at the very least a GED". My dear, I have a GED which has allowed me the great opportunity to persue two degrees (one of which I am almost finished, the other I graduated from with honors) and in the future I also plan to continue on to my Masters...maybe even to Ph.d; never thought I would ever go that far, considering the way I was raised (which insidently led to me have to obtain a GED instead of a highschool diploma....hard to graduate highschool when you have a drug addict for a day and alcoholic for a mother and they move you somewhere new twice a year), but as time has gone by and I have continued my education, my confidence has soared and I have come to see that the only limits that are set for me are the ones I set for myself.
There is so much more behind a person than simply what you imply over the phone.
Why are getting offended? This isn't about you. This had nothing to do with you. If this isn't "flaming" then I don't know what.
Well theres a pretty significant difference between getting a diploma or having 8th grade education, which is the requirement here in Georgia. And yes, you are right, diploma doesnt equal good work ethic or intelligence. I know some absolute idiots who have managed to graduate from college. However, all that being said, I still think that to care for our vulnerable clientele we do need a minimum level of education that is higher than the 8th grade. But that is my opinion, and that is what I had always seen before coming to the US
it all helps us with a little self-discovery and makes us think. 
wish_me_luck, BSN, RN
1,110 Posts
Pets to People, I don't know if you have your nursing degree/license yet, but you are going to make a wonderful nurse/must be a wonderful nurse!!!! I wish other nurses had your compassion and respect for others. :)