Called2009

Well, first off, God bless you for wanting to take care of the elderly. And I mean that very sincerely, may God bless you for taking on this kind of vocation, because it's important needed work and it honors Him. However, like many things in this life, when we try to do something noble and honest and decent it's crushed by the very people who are supposed to set the example. There are two kinds of nurses, doctors, CNAs, etc. in the field: there are those that genuinely want to make a positive difference in these people's lives and practice good, medically sound, authentic caregiving, and then there are those that may say they "care" or chose these professions "to make a difference" but for whatever reason, are in fact self-serving, don't enjoy what they do, and don't give decent, medically sound care. And you find of A LOT of these types in nursing facilities. Not all, mind you, but there are a lot of them. They're called hypocrites: they tell you to do something one way, but don't set the example. They look the other way when many of their "favorites" give improper care, but they'll jump all over someone who stands for integrity. They want you to chart things you haven't done yet so that that the facility can get its Medicare and Medicaid payments, but will tell you doing the activity is just as important--but in reality, they don't really care if it happens or not, as long as it's charted otherwise. Workplace bullying among staff members is very common in nursing facilities, and quite frankly, it's unconscionable. Clearly, these problems exist at your facility, like so many others. Tons of bedsores, you said, and a nurse telling you to not wash your hands? Nurses forcing CNAs to rush, colleagues won't help, then residents fall or staff members get hurt? It's not hard to connect the dots between cause and effect, is it? I'm so sorry for you. Because the truth is, and this isn't going to be easy to hear: you are in a bind, and will get in trouble either way, because of the hypocrisy and improper care practiced by those in charge. And it's not fair, and it's not right. The bottom line comes down to this: you have to look yourself in the mirror every day. And, if you're a believe, you answer to Him before anyone else. Does it mean you might lose your job? Unfortunately, yes. But giving the best possible resident care counts for more than anything else at the end of the day. And as you gain experience, you'll learn to give the best possible care in a little bit quicker, more efficient manner. But even as you gain experience and move a little quicker, still giving good care, if everything is not done, then so be it. Just make sure you're always at work on time, have good attendance, are loving and caring to those sweet residents who SO need people like you, do nothing illegal, and keep your attention solely on your work, and you will do well. If someone needs to be moved, and they're a 2-person transfer, and fellow CNAs won't assist you, go to a nurse and say, "I need to transfer so-and-so, who's a 2-person transfer, and the other CNAs are busy so I can't get any assistance right now, and I want to properly follow the care plan. Could you help me?" and if the nurse is snotty or won't help (for one thing: document it for your own records in case something bad should happen with your job in the future), then go to the D.O.N. and say the exact same thing. And if s/he's snotty and won't help, again document it. The point is: YOU just keep doing what you know in your heart of hearts to be the RIGHT thing to do. May God bless you and watch over you. :heartbeat