problem with CNA

Jules A, MSN · Dec 31, 2007

I'd consider using what you've written here as a bit of a script because I think it is a very thoughtful approach. You have outlined a couple of precise examples of when she made you feel undermined, you added that you are working on your confidence as a nurse and the best is that you also praised her caring attitude and work ethic. I think something along these lines should be very effective.

My guess is that she is probably very enthusiastic about working toward becoming your peer as a nurse and doesn't realize that she is being unprofessional. Hopefully she isn't totally clueless and if you have an honest private conversation with her it will help. Good luck!

Midwest4me · Dec 31, 2007

In my opinion this CNA IS disrespecting you and her behavior IS demeaning. Perhaps she is not meaning to come across as she has but you won't know until you have a talk with her. Ask the DON or another nurse to sit in on the discussion if you have to(just so there are no misunderstandings)and describe how her behavior makes you feel, that it's insubordinate and not tolerated; the teasing is unprofessional and she should be told that it should be stopped. Good luck! You'll do fine!

Jules A, MSN · Dec 31, 2007

In my opinion this CNA IS disrespecting you and her behavior IS demeaning. Perhaps she is not meaning to come across as she has but you won't know until you have a talk with her. Ask the DON or another nurse to sit in on the discussion if you have to(just so there are no misunderstandings)and describe how her behavior makes you feel, that it's insubordinate and not tolerated; the teasing is unprofessional and she should be told that it should be stopped. Good luck! You'll do fine!

Wow, would you really go so hard core right from the start?

allnurses Guide · Dec 31, 2007

Wow, would you really go so hard core right from the start?

I agree - I liked your approach Jules.

Kindness does more for opening up a conversation.

steph

Midwest4me · Dec 31, 2007

Wow, would you really go so hard core right from the start?

I didn't mean for it to be construed as "hard core"---I get that sometimes though because I believe in, and always practice, being direct instead of dancing around an issue.

I was trying to convey the necessity of having a sit-down discussion (witnessed by another nurse) with the CNA. The OP is obviously bothered by the CNA's behavior and needs to get to the reason behind it. I assumed that the OP had already tried to deal with the behavior without success.

callmekipling · Dec 31, 2007

I just wanted to say, and please note that this is my "devil's advocate" face, :devil:

There is a difference between being undermined and working with someone who has no social graces. Once you get the feeling that you're being worked against, it *will* color your perceptions.

When we work together, this person frequently interrupts me in front of patients to explain the same thing I am trying to explain to the pt,

Could be s/he thinks you left something out, or maybe s/he's so excited to share some new knowledge.

"teases" me in front of pts which makes me sound like I don't know what I'm doing.

Maintaining a casual and positive attitude, if very poorly executed. And nobody likes to be the brunt of a joke. It's a fine line between funny and obnoxious, oui?

If the pt or family puts on a call light or comes out to speak with me she demands to know what they wanted.

Curiosity? Monkey see, monkey do, learn by example.

A charge nurse and I were talking about some issues we were having with something-and she included herself and it had nothing to do with her.

OK, that's pretty dopey, but maybe s/he thinks s/he's got something important to contribute, and it turns out you already knew what s/he thought you didn't(re: the situation, not your acuity as a nurse)

I ... am still getting confidence in my job.

And so it's very natural to feel a little nervous, be a bit self-conscious, and this feeling of unease may lead one to overanalyze or jump to conclusions..

(I'm sure the answer is to talk with her, but I wouldn't know where to start and I'm absolutely horrible about stuff like this!)

The answer *is* to talk with her (oops, you've revealed her gender and I'm too lazy to go back and edit), and you *do* know where to start, you just need a little time to work up the guts to do it.

I sincerely hope you are pleasantly surprised and a little embarrassed (but only at how wrong your perceptions turned out to be!).

Better a busy bee getting into everything than someone who disappears and needs to be hunted down whenever things are to be done. Just give her some style pointers. Heck, I'd wager you a donut that she really likes you and wants to be your friend - I hope you've some time in your day to mentor..

ramonmalino · Dec 31, 2007

Well said kipling

leslie :-D · Dec 31, 2007

whatever her intentions are, it sounds like you need to work on your confidence.

a lack of confidence, can create all types of misperceptions.

it would be perfectly appropriate for you to bring her aside, and tell her that though you know her intentions are good, you feel she is undermining your role as a nurse, by interrupting, or making you the brunt of jokes.

if she's truly innocent, i would think she'd be apologetic, and her actions would cease.

if her motives are perhaps, unsavory, then her reaction will likely teeter to the side of irritation.

either way, communicating is the only way to try and redirect her.

but please, work on that self-confidence.

w/o it, you're fighting twice the battle.

wishing you the best.

leslie

adnstudent2007 · Dec 31, 2007

First of all, I want to thank you all for your advice and opinions. I really appreciate them.I agree that she is probably not intentionally trying to undermine me. I think she is so eager to be the nurse, that sometimes she forgets she isn't. For me thought sometimes that seems more difficult to deal with someone like her than the person who is intentionally lazy (at least for me). As far as the working on the confidence issue, I realise that is a big problem I have-and I don't know exactly how to get it other hope it comes with more experience.

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2007

Maybe you guys should have a sit down with someone who's unbiased? does your workplace have some kind of peer mediation?

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2007

I think it's a big thing...and speaking as a CNA who is (almost a nurse)...I realize that I'm ALMOST a nurse...it's a big thing between explaining something that the nurse is explaining and REexplaining if the patient has a question. Personally, I think that I too come across too eager sometimes and I do not do anything that is out of my scope of practice. When a patient asks me something that is normally contraindicated in x type of patient, I clear it with the nurse. I don't take it upon myself to do first, ask second.

There is a big difference between people who do this intentionally and someone who is overeager. You also mention the fact that you struggle with your confidence. I do too, and I think the easiest thing to do is realize that unless the CNA comes right out with it over and over again and blatently disregards what you ask....just know that YOU're the nurse, you HAVE to knowledge. Talk to her and see what's going on....if she knows what she's doing and keeps doing it...then go up to management. Don't involve them right off the bat cause that's really going to put you in the CNA hole....None of us want to work for the nurse that disrespects us...and we're a protective bunch...