Punishment for “neglect” as CNA not state tested?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I have been a cna for a month. The other day I helped another cna put a resident to bed. Every time we’re caring for him he always acts agitated. After we got him in a clean brief he started cursing at us and shaking the bed rail. We got scared so I walked out. A while later the nurse confronts us and says that it was neglect because we did not give him his call light and cover him up. They said we can lose our license and what not. They reported us to the DON and she’ll probably talk with us. The thing is I haven’t taken my state test yet so I technically have no license to take away and I’m not in the state registry yet. I understand we could have reacted better but what would be my punishment?

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If the nurse reported you to the DON, you may be out of a job depending on how he or she views the situation. Beyond that, I don't see how you would be disciplined too severely for not covering the resident up and giving him his call light, unless there is more to it.You said you had put a brief on him- was he wearing anything else? That would be an issue, for both his dignity and comfort Andrew even his safety if he is frail and/or tends to become a part hypothermic. Were his side rails up, if they were ordered to be so? That is a safety issue, as is the call light not being within reach. Did you tell anyone what happened gor go back to check on the resident?

I think that the best thing for you to do when you meet with the DON is to apologize sincerely, and tell her not only that you know you could have handled it better, but HOW you will handle scenarios like that in the future. I understand that angry, combative residents can be intimidating, but dealing with them is part of being a CNA. Of course you shouldn't be physically attacked, but many people with dementia will yell, scream, swing and grab. The thing is, they still need to be kept safe. That's why they are in the facility; they cannot care for themselves. If you know someone is prone to being combative, don't enter the room alone. Working as a team, one CNA can often do care while the other one distracts and calms (or attempts to). Ignore verbal abuse- it's not really about you even though they are directing it about you. If you must leave, make sure that the resident is safe, and immediately report the incident to your supervisor.

Good luck with everything!

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2 hours ago, FashionablyL8 said:

If the nurse reported you to the DON, you may be out of a job depending on how he or she views the situation. Beyond that, I don't see how you would be disciplined too severely for not covering the resident up and giving him his call light, unless there is more to it.You said you had put a brief on him- was he wearing anything else? That would be an issue, for both his dignity and comfort Andrew even his safety if he is frail and/or tends to become a part hypothermic. Were his side rails up, if they were ordered to be so? That is a safety issue, as is the call light not being within reach. Did you tell anyone what happened gor go back to check on the resident?

I think that the best thing for you to do when you meet with the DON is to apologize sincerely, and tell her not only that you know you could have handled it better, but HOW you will handle scenarios like that in the future. I understand that angry, combative residents can be intimidating, but dealing with them is part of being a CNA. Of course you shouldn't be physically attacked, but many people with dementia will yell, scream, swing and grab. The thing is, they still need to be kept safe. That's why they are in the facility; they cannot care for themselves. If you know someone is prone to being combative, don't enter the room alone. Working as a team, one CNA can often do care while the other one distracts and calms (or attempts to). Ignore verbal abuse- it's not really about you even though they are directing it about you. If you must leave, make sure that the resident is safe, and immediately report the incident to your supervisor.

Good luck with everything!

He doesn’t sleep in a gown so I won’t get in trouble for that. I’m not even sure about firing because they are begging for staff and always have call offs. But do you think the state can punish me even if I don’t have my STNA license yet (just a cna certificate). I test later this month.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Can a state deny granting a license based on past behavior? Yes, they can- just go check out the criminal history forum here.

Can you be reported to the BON? Yes. Does that mean the investigation will turn anything up and the complaint will be founded? Well, that's to be seen.

Can you be fired? Absolutely. The fact that they are begging for staff would be irrelevant if they have cause.

You stated "We got scared so I walked out"- did the other CNA also walk out of the room? Were you both needed at that moment? Is it possible that you're receiving empty threats?

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49 minutes ago, Rose_Queen said:

Can a state deny granting a license based on past behavior? Yes, they can- just go check out the criminal history forum here.

Can you be reported to the BON? Yes. Does that mean the investigation will turn anything up and the complaint will be founded? Well, that's to be seen.

Can you be fired? Absolutely. The fact that they are begging for staff would be irrelevant if they have cause.

You stated "We got scared so I walked out"- did the other CNA also walk out of the room? Were you both needed at that moment? Is it possible that you're receiving empty threats?

No, he was not my resident. He was a hoyer so it had to be someone else in the room with her but after he was in bed I could leave. And the empty threats thing I have no clue. Maybe it was to scare me to not do it again.

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