overheard a CNA badly verbally abusing an elderly patient

caliotter3 · May 31, 2009

Since you have not confronted the individual yet, I would write down the circumstances and take it to the supervisor. The supervisor will handle it or you can get her to be present when you confront the person who did this. The supervisor should be consulted because the facility management will probably want to fire the CNA. Don't waste more time dealing with this. Act now.

Cyndi_1985 · May 31, 2009

Since you have not confronted the individual yet, I would write down the circumstances and take it to the supervisor. The supervisor will handle it or you can get her to be present when you confront the person who did this. The supervisor should be consulted because the facility management will probably want to fire the CNA. Don't waste more time dealing with this. Act now.

I did report it immediately, I called another Nurse from another floor and exspressed my concern, we called the ADON at home, and she said to send the CNA home immediately, and write down what happened, this CNA from what I understand has been reported before by other Nurses for the same thing,, it was night shift, and the Cna was called in the next day along with the other witness that heard her, I understand,, they told this CNA she only had 3 days off, and it bothers me because this is patient abuse, and I immediately reported it, I have a license to protect,, what bothers me the most is: Other Nurses told me the facility doesn't do much, and actually listen to CNA's over Nurses. I am very concerned about this. She has deliberately shut lights off on me while I am passing meds, and also I put that in writing, prior to the verbal abuse I heard , the week before she had to be written up, nothing was done then either. I need answers, I will not let one of my CNA's abuse one of my elderly patients, and yet the facility is not doing anything. I always thought, you abuse a patient ,, you get fired. As I said this is not her first write up for this. She had the patient crying all night, and I would like to know what to do. Thanks

caliotter3 · May 31, 2009

Find another job.

Cyndi_1985 · May 31, 2009

Find another job.

The town I live in does not have many jobs for Nurses, you need to travel at least 60 miles, this is ridiculous, I have 2 Teens I leave at home while at work, being a single Mom, I need to be near them. Isn't there a place I can go to to find out what the laws are on verbal abuse to a patient? I can not afford to drive real far from home to work, this is a good job for me, and leaving, is not good, and actually to me,, it is letting the facility condone abuse. I moved here from New York, I know in New York a CNA would be fired immediately for abuse. Sorry,, I just am overwhelmed,,, why as a Charge Nurse should I be the one to go? Thanks

Straydandelion · May 31, 2009

To be honest, if the facillity is ignoring all other write-ups, I am not quite sure what you can do. Here is a link for reporting problems, however it is very likely the facillity will know who reported and fire you unless there are other instances since they can focus on.

http://www.ltcombudsman.org/static_pages/ombudsmen.cfm

Cyndi_1985 · May 31, 2009

To be honest, if the facillity is ignoring all other write-ups, I am not quite sure what you can do. Here is a link for reporting problems, however it is very likely the facillity will know who reported and fire you unless there are other instances since they can focus on.
http://www.ltcombudsman.org/static_pages/ombudsmen.cfm

Thank You!

allnurses Guide · May 31, 2009

My heart goes out to you. You are in a very tough situation. It might seem like small comfort at this point, but saying a prayer for you.

Vito Andolini · May 31, 2009

The town I live in does not have many jobs for Nurses, you need to travel at least 60 miles, this is ridiculous, I have 2 Teens I leave at home while at work, being a single Mom, I need to be near them. Isn't there a place I can go to to find out what the laws are on verbal abuse to a patient? I can not afford to drive real far from home to work, this is a good job for me, and leaving, is not good, and actually to me,, it is letting the facility condone abuse. I moved here from New York, I know in New York a CNA would be fired immediately for abuse. Sorry,, I just am overwhelmed,,, why as a Charge Nurse should I be the one to go? Thanks

That is the reality. The facility talks a good talk, threatening severe repercussions for abuse or neglect of patients. But they lack the guts to actually walk the walk, even in New York, I dare say. They might counsel the offenders, they might terminate them or let them resign. But they seem to not want to report them to the authorities. They probably fear retaliation directed at them personally or as a facility, so do not report. Just guessing.

When rules are made, it's always the CN who has to enforce them, as the CN's are on the front line and are the ones who usually see or hear the offenses. But then Management doesn't back up its Charge Nurses. These managers should burn in the everlasting fires of hell. :angryfire :devil: :devil: :angryfire

Decide now that you will either shut your mouth and close your eyes and put your family's wellbeing first, or report these wrongdoers yourself, since your facility won't. You had better think long and hard, whichever way you choose to deal with it. Talk with legal counsel, spiritual counsel, etc. Best wishes. I know it's really miserable having to decide, having to report, not being backed up, seeing it all continue. I guess you could go over your boss' head. Another dilemma. Just what you needed.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 31, 2009

You can always report this to the state BON, as CNAs are just as accountable as nurses. And if the facility allows the CNA to continue in this fashion, I'd report it to your state's senior and disabled services agency........anonymously, of course.........who knows what else is going on when the powers that be are looking the other way?

missyd1991 · May 31, 2009

This needs to be reported, no one has the right to treat people that way. We are there to provide care not terrify them. I don't think they can fire you for reporting these incidents, what kind of reviews have you had? If no discilpine has been taken against you before then they have no grounds to let you go. The state should have people that you can call and report this to. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts, good luck.

Chanta2 · May 31, 2009

WOW, you are in a tough spot.

My experience was sort of like yours. I witnessed sexual abuse. I was with the nurse. This particular nurse asked me to help her with a procedure. She did not know how to insert a foley cath. So me being the nicey nurse and always willing to help my peers decided to help her. Mind you, we work the night shift. So I took time out of my busy schedule to help her. It was about 4 am when she decided to do this procedure. I did have a witness with me. A cna asked if we needed some assistance. I said yes. As we positioned the elderly lady, I draped her of course. This nurse who asked me to help her was not only holding the light near her private area, she was also stroking her privy parts up and down as though she was stroking a kitty cat, no joke. I did not get to put that foley in because I could not believe what I say. The cna who was holding her leg apart looked at me and turned her head. To make this long story short. I got fired! I got fired for not reporting the incident STAT! I should have did what my first mind told me to do. Stop and call the DON. NO, I went back to my unit and finished up my work, because I was behind schedule helping her. We worked 12 hour shifts at the place. I was also picking up an extra shift helping out. And I got fired! Always follow your first mind. Even if it put you off schedule a little bit.

The good thing about the incident. I can go back to the facility to work. The termination is for a year. I have 4 months left. by the way we did have to make statements on paper of the events that took place. And the cna did too. I do not know what else happened to that nurse. I just don't ever want to see her again!