Selphie

We used to be like that before a few months ago. Our DON, after hearing many complaints, decided to catch them (not all the cnas but some were doing it) in the act one night while they (including nurses) were using the computers for personal usage, meanwhile dayshift would find all of their residents so filthy the next day...so she started assigning tasks to them. We also have to do "walking rounds" now. Basically, during shift-change, the dayshift does a round with evening and signs off on it...the evening does a round with night...etc, etc. It's tedious but it's solved some issues in our facility. No one wants to explain why their people are soaked to the next shift coming in...

Our MD comes in about twice a month but that's usually on dayshift, which I never work unless I volunteer, because I'm an evening-shifter. But he knows next to nothing about the residents according the the RN supervisor who always complains about him. Actually, the most I've seen of him is when he does the yearly staff physicals...and that's basically a fellow CNA doing vitals while he just writes them down...

When I first started out, I had a similar problem. I asked for a different trainer and the facility complied. I lucked out and had possibly the best teacher I could ever ask for, who patiently dealt with my "greenness" and built up my confidence. You also have the right to ask for a new person to orientate with. I don't understand why some cnas are like that either. Some are very set in their ways; and some are just not meant to teach. I hope you have a better experience and I'm sorry someone did you that way.

Nightshift is required to do a lot of tasks where I work in addition to bed checks. They clean out the shower rooms (I'm not talking a simple spray down and wiping...I mean wiping down the walls and all), straighten up closets and clean out bedside tables for hoarded food and other "surprises", wash down the wheelchairs and geri-chairs, clean the lifts and vital machines, charge the vital machines and the batteries in the fb and sit-to-stand lifts, mop the floors in the residents' rooms and clean the slip guards, clean out the refrigerator in the breakroom and also the one in the fine-dining hall, clean fine-dining's microwave, and clean out the breakroom ...basically housekeeping. They do this in addition to bed checks, dressing residents, and getting over 20 up. There are 76 residents and 3 CNAs. After being mandated from second to third all these years, I appreciate what 3rd shift does.

This is sound advice. It happens but it should not be tolerated. This behavior is not only disrespectful to you, but it is also disrespectful to the residents and their families. He or she should pull you off to the side and speak with you privately.

Thank you! Your post was very sweet. :)

I work in a nursing home. We work 8 hour shifts at my facility. I work second shift from 3pm-11pm. I've worked all three shifts and I can honestly say that second shift is my favorite. The only downside is, in my facility, it is also the most frequently mandated shift. It may not be like that everywhere but at my facility, the third shift workers call in a lot so the second shifters have to fill in. I work five days a week (40 hours) if you don't count the mandations and extra shifts. The RNs and LPNs have two shifts: 7am-7pm and 7pm-7am. That's how my facility rolls. I'm glad you asked because it's interesting to read about other people's experiences.

Aww, lol! I've had that happen to me. I've been punched, kicked, clawed, bitten, groped, spit on, cussed out, had my ponytail pulled, had things (dirty briefs, bm, emesis basins and bedpans as well as chairs and food trays) thrown at me....etc. I was fairly new at the time. It isn't pleasant but you do learn how to not aggravate them further and how to duck in time. I am glad you're okay. :) Keep ice on your tetorifice injection site if it swells (mine sure did!). It's something though. The is one resident who constantly tried to beat me up when I first started...I used to dread going into his room sometimes because of his mood. Apparently, I reminded him of an ex wife.... anyway, when he passed on later, I was so broken up over his death. I realized how much I really like the rambunctious ones, lol. Good luck. :)

That place sounds wonderful. Good luck!

We've recently started having to do these tasks too. And this is inbetween rounds, call lights, complete bed changes, 4-6 showers, and "brief shredders". I enjoy ranting about it with you. :) Getting back to the topic of chux: the Alzheimer's unit in our facility is allowed to use them. The rehab unit is not allowed. I believe they have it backwards. Most people on the A-unit can toilet with a one person assist and would prefer toileting even on third shift. The rehab on the other hand... though there are a few independents, and limited assisted residents, most of them are total dependents. However, this is just me ranting about the politics of my facility.

My DON doesn't allow it because she says it's due to increased chances of skin breakdown. The DON also goes in behind us to make sure that we don't do it. Honestly, I think there are certain situations that call for it... Plastic sounds painful. Glad we don't have those.