Question about Cussing on the job.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Jul 30, 2016

I have not cussed or yelled at a CNA though I began to find it hard not to one night. When I felt like I might lose control, I went to another area, contacted another nurse and then reported the poor behavior/work of the CNA to management. Subsequently, she ended up choosing to leave after management offered her another position/shift.

nutella, MSN, RN · Jul 30, 2016

And WHY are you cussing at others???

There are policy and procedures that address what constitutes workplace violence, harassment, and etiquette. The reason is that a "violent" workplace creates a culture that is not congruent with the culture of safety. Plus there are basic human rights and if you are the nurse and you are cussing at the CNA for whatever reason you treat her in an unacceptable manner.

Depending on how serious your workplace takes those things and depending on if the other person complains to the manager and /or HR you might be disciplined or even fired. If your workplace has a zero tolerance policy and they enforce it....

Disciplinary action can mean a verbal warning, written warning, suspension, getting fired.

Perhaps you are lucky and nothing happens or just a talking to.

If nothing happens you should still reflect on your behavior and how you relate to other workers. If this is your first job you need to develop some strategies and behavior on how to deal with situations like that. If you are short tempered you need to learn how to control your impulses.

I hope you see that you cannot keep on doing that. If you have serious problems with the way you relate to your workers or coping see a therapist to help you.

Libby1987 · Jul 31, 2016

We work essentially unsupervised with a vulnerable population and unless there were some kind of reasonable explanation (I can't think of any) I would let you go.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

What exactly do you mean by disciplinary action?

anything from nothing to firing

verbal counseling

written counseling once, maybe twice

suspension

probation

public flogging

firing squad

electric chair

Just Kidding on the last 3. Disciplinary procedure should be spelled out in your eployee handbook or policy manual or on the website under the HR section. Usually employers do whatever they want, despite contradiction with written policies.

If this was your first offense and you have been walking on water up until now, you will likely just get a reprimand and told to not do it again.

Maybe, if you have a good boss, she will try to help you figure out why you were so aggravated and fix the root cause - like too many patients, CNA taking too many breaks or violating too many rules and backtalking or complaining too much. Or hiding and being lazy or incompetent or on her cell phone while on duty, or someone is not feeling well and bringing personal problems to work, etc.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

We work essentially unsupervised with a vulnerable population and unless there were some kind of reasonable explanation (I can't think of any) I would let you go.

Without any knowledge of the specifics of the situation? Even if she wasn't cussing at the patients? Or in front of patients or visitors? Even if she was a great nurse otherwise?

Roda dendron · Jul 31, 2016

This particular CNA was in my patients room bad mouthing me in front of my Patient and two other CNA's. I told her to pack her **** and go home for the day. This all transpired after i Asked another CNA to get a patient out of bed and down for breakfast, whom refused to do ask i instructed her to do. keep in mind i am/was a shift supervisor over the floor and have recently left this job because the higher ups wont back up their LPN's in such events. Seems to me the higher up's just want a warm body in the building who holds a license to practice and they give the CNA's and Med Tech's the run of the place. Since i have been employed there we have had CNA's cut each other with box cutters in the building, Cars being vandalized in the parking lot, a long with a high turn over rate, this place is like a revolving door. This particular CNA works long hours due to the short staffing, Because she works long ours the Higher ups let her get away with pretty much anything, we as supervisors are Told to enforce the rules, however when we enforce the rules they don't have our backs especially when it comes to this particular employee. she comes to work wearing what ever color scrub she likes, she has long acrylic fingernails which she has scratched a patient with. it makes it hard for us to do our jobs, and i feel like this is why I lashed out like i did. Needless to say i dont work there anymore by my own choice.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

I think this would be an eye rolling event for the BON, there are much more pressing issues for them to deal with. A foul-mouthed nurse with no professionalism should be terminated perhaps, but it isn't a license-yanking situation, I don't believe.

As a Nurse has anyone ever raised their voice and cussed at a CNA when you feel they crossed the line with you. If so how did it play out and did you get in trouble with the BON? can you lose your license for Cussing at a fellow coworker?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

As a Nurse has anyone ever raised their voice and cussed at a CNA when you feel they crossed the line with you. If so how did it play out and did you get in trouble with the BON? can you lose your license for Cussing at a fellow coworker?

I've never known of any nurse who faced censures from the state BON for swearing/cursing at a coworker.

On the other hand, I've known several nurses who received censures, fines, suspension, probation, remedial education and other punishments issued by the state BON for swearing/cursing at patients. The offense is called verbal abuse, and BONs frown upon nurses who verbally abuse patients.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

I am highly professional at all times because it is what I need to be to go ahead with my life. At my job, I could get "angry" every 10 mins....but it doesn't benefit me to lose it. Always think about how what you does effects you and others.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · Jul 31, 2016

This particular CNA was in my patients room bad mouthing me in front of my Patient and two other CNA's. I told her to pack her **** and go home for the day. This all transpired after i Asked another CNA to get a patient out of bed and down for breakfast, whom refused to do ask i instructed her to do. keep in mind i am/was a shift supervisor over the floor and have recently left this job because the higher ups wont back up their LPN's in such events. Seems to me the higher up's just want a warm body in the building who holds a license to practice and they give the CNA's and Med Tech's the run of the place. Since i have been employed there we have had CNA's cut each other with box cutters in the building, Cars being vandalized in the parking lot, a long with a high turn over rate, this place is like a revolving door. This particular CNA works long hours due to the short staffing, Because she works long ours the Higher ups let her get away with pretty much anything, we as supervisors are Told to enforce the rules, however when we enforce the rules they don't have our backs especially when it comes to this particular employee. she comes to work wearing what ever color scrub she likes, she has long acrylic fingernails which she has scratched a patient with. it makes it hard for us to do our jobs, and i feel like this is why I lashed out like i did. Needless to say i dont work there anymore by my own choice.

I have worked at a couple of these "places". When I have, it was because I needed a job. I didn't stay long. They are terrible but they are not rare at all. :/ About the "cussing"....I agree with others on it perhaps being a grounds for termination or at least a write up.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 31, 2016

As a Nurse has anyone ever raised their voice and cussed at a CNA when you feel they crossed the line with you. If so how did it play out and did you get in trouble with the BON? can you lose your license for Cussing at a fellow coworker?

It doesn't matter what the CNA did or didn't do, when you use foul language or raise your voice, you are in the wrong. You might lose your job, you will certainly lose the respect of your colleagues.

Libby1987 · Jul 31, 2016

Without any knowledge of the specifics of the situation? Even if she wasn't cussing at the patients? Or in front of patients or visitors? Even if she was a great nurse otherwise?

I said unless there was some reasonable explanation.