I used to start my shift by looking over my assignment and prioritizing my duties. Some of this involved knowing the residents and how things will go with them and working around that.
I also used to run my bootie off with tasks that did not directly involve residents (like making beds, taking out trash, etc.) so I had more time when it came to working hands-on with individual residents without rushing them. I learned to do those non-resident tasks very ridiculously fast but not sloppily.
If residents are chatty or excessively demanding of time, you need to learn how to gracefully exit. Sometimes you have to be politely firm.
It takes time to get your groove and experience will provide.
Okay, ignore the way the message is delivered and think back on your work. Is there any truth in the negative comments? Be honest with yourself. If so, work to correct any deficiencies.
Can you explain how this woman is bullying you? Also, I wouldn't go to the DON. You are an adult. Try to sort this out as an adult in a professional manner with the coworker. It's hard to say what you should do without context. Is she the one being negative about your work? Make sure your work is, indeed, good before you accuse anyone of bullying. Some people do not know how to handle themselves professionally. She may be one of those people and doesn't know the concept of "constructive criticism".
On the other hand, some people (especially those with little power) love to feel powerful. Sometimes they do this by putting down others. They like to make you feel stupid because they want to feel smart. They're not necessarily "arrogant" but come across that way because they are actually insecure. Remain calm and don't let them see you sweat because they like that and feed off your discomfort.
That aide is an absolute idiot. That is someone who cannot think in anything but black and white. There is no nuance. Ever. Common sense be damned.
Yes. You're smarter than that aide by a long shot. There is no way you could justify passing trays over ignoring a call light wherein a resident may need help or leaving a resident on the toilet alone.
When I was an aide, we were passing our dinner trays. I stopped passing trays to answer a call light that had been going off for too long. I walked in to find a resident slid out of her chair and choking on her seat belt. Anything can be happening and no one is going to die because a tray sat another five or ten minutes... but they might die if we are neglectful.
Oh, she just didn't want to get stuck passing out the trays without help. You already know she's an idiot. I've changed my mind about saying she thinks in black and white. Sounds more like she's selective in what she says to you in terms of what works best for her!
Change the word "arrogant" to "ignorant", "unprofessional" and "insecure". I've been down that road. I handled it by ignoring those types of CNAs and doubling down and making sure my work was flawless. I gave them zero room to complain. It ended up benefiting me and my residents. It took a little while, but I became an excellent aide and left those jerks in the dust.
You keep putting the safety of your residents first! You may be slow for now, but you'll get it. Keep trudging along and good luck to you.
