Question

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 3, 2014

Why is it so critical to work independently in this business? The only reason I see is lots of work. However, I was trained and raised to help all others, which I do.

Not sure what this means? Can you clarify the "independence" factor??

I don't see "independence", I see "interdependence"...although as licensed nurses, we have a certain responsibility and nursing judgement that requires a form of independence in a conclusion after all factors have been weighed.

Why are some of the nursing/cna staff so unpleasant? ***I thought we were in this business to help others and enjoy
it.****

YOU had that thought; not everyone you work with shares that philosophy; sometimes you have to run your own race in this business...

I certainly do not want to be fired for not working independently and do not want to be dragged down into a rut of unpleasantness... These are just questions not complaints.. I am a CNA...

What "rut" are you referring to?

If you are having an issue at work, then I rather you provide a general description than be vague; venting can be healthy to a point.

mstearns09 · Jan 3, 2014

I will answer this in the context of where I work: If we don't work independently at my job part of the time, half the patients would not get any sort of care which would reflect badly on our facility. We have a top notch hospital and we provide the best patient care I have ever experienced as a staff member and as a patient. If there are only two of us on the floor, and I have to help another CNA with a patient who is a one-assist, there are call lights going off, and our nurses are tied up in the ER, who's getting cheated or who's in danger of falling and breaking something?

Poor attitude is a matter of how we let the attitude of our work environment develop. We each are a contributor to the atmosphere where we work and nothing gets changed unless someone sparks the fire that leads to change.

clarinets, CNA · Jan 4, 2014

The reason why I asked because I am deciding between several branches of healthcare. A. Hospital RN B. Clinic RN. C. Music Therapist. D. Home Health Nurse.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 4, 2014

The reason why I asked because I am deciding between several branches of healthcare. A. Hospital RN B. Clinic RN. C. Music Therapist. D. Home Health Nurse.

Sounds like 3/4 of the issues are nursing...

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 4, 2014

The reason why I asked because I am deciding between several branches of healthcare. A. Hospital RN B. Clinic RN. C. Music Therapist. D. Home Health Nurse.

Sounds like 3/4 is for nursing...

I've posted this response in a variable form; however, I will continue to share :yes: :

I been through nursing since the early 2000s. I have been a CNA, LPN, and a RN...If I wasn't happy with this profession, or felt I couldn't be objective and assertive or personally happy with this profession, I would've probably found something else to do, or found a rich man, lol. Seriously. I have friends in healthcare, public safety, military, education, research, business, IT, real estate, construction, public health, social work...people are people are people...personality does not always transcend professions....the most important aspect in interacting with people; especially peers and the public is your expectations of YOU...

The only expectations that I have of myself in this profession is to remain objective and to maximize myself and my profession; I have the attitude of "what can be done?" MOST of the time throughout my time in this business in each role I have been in; and I have been able to be an Independent contractor, a W-2'er ( basically employee, lol :) ); worked in nursing specialties such as Peds, Home Health/Community Health, Rehab (Spinal Cord Injured, Trauma/Traumatic Brain Injury), Wound Care, and Skilled Nursing.

Do I vent? Sure; but I vent and move on; tomorrow is another day; life is too short to be unhappy.

As far as discouragement; I remember going to a career day when I was in middle school in the mid 1990s-around the time when the other financial crisis occurred, there were new changes to insurance and the delivery of healthcare back then as well; a nurse outright told me not to go into the profession; I'm very fortunate that I was very objective at the time; she was VERY negative; and if I think back on what she stated, it was most of the venting that people talk about ad nauseum; if I had listened to her instead of remembering the nuggets of what my parent and family instilled in me, and being the objective child I was, I would've missed out on a career that has been a wonderful fit in my life.

OP, I suggest to be objective; seek out nursing chapter leaders and organizers; nursing union and organizers your area. I found this place as a new grad LPN in 2004; the most popular post was "RN vs. LPN" :blink: ; however, I found valuable information on a thread on how to become IV therapy "certified" (now called competency). I've found wonderful resources, venting sessions, and threads that I found to be informative, entertaining, and found my way to help contribute with my two copper pieces that I choose to rub together. I find the Admins and guides and most posters to be intelligent people who provide resources and opinions for professional practice, career experiences, and venting (when applicable) to be a GREAT resource; I am serious; to me, they remind me of the team I am a part of at work, although they are across the country or across the world; across GENERATIONS, yet, have millennials of information and experience that makes this site enjoyable. :yes: Branch out and find the Nurses Rock! Forum; there is also a recent brag thread as well; and plenty of "positive" and inspirational threads as well. Seek and ye shall find...personally and professionally

If you decide to be a part of this business, understand the various people and the intimacy that is invoked with patients and peers of various backgrounds, culture and personalities; this business is NOT for the weak or faint hearted :no: but it can certainly be as satisfying as any other profession, it's what YOU put into it. :yes:

MendedHeart · Jan 4, 2014

Why is it so critical to work independently in this business? The only reason I see is lots of work. However, I was trained and raised to help all others, which I do.
Why are some of the nursing/cna staff so unpleasant? I thought we were in this business to help others and enjoy it. I certainly do not want to be fired for not working independently and do not want to be dragged down into a rut of unpleasantness...
These are just questions not complaints..
I am a CNA...

My opinion is that there is definitely a difference between Autonomy and independence. We really shouldnt be completely independent working in healthcare as it takes a team to holistically care for people. We should however be able to perform duties independently when possible and ask for and give assistance when needed.

Being Autonomous mean we have the knowledge and education to act without the advice or direction of others. This does not mean one has to work alone.

There are a lot of people that have bad attitudes and poor teamwork skills in this profession, I have learned to not let it rub off on me as energy is contagious. I dont take it personal, and will find others to help and not them. Keep smiling and talk super sweet to them. Kill them with kindness, you never know, it may rub off on them:)

i_love_patient_care · Jan 5, 2014

I've been in work environments where people are of the "every man/woman for themself" mentality. I agree with a PP's point of view that we do need to split up when working with 1person assists. However, I've been in facilities (LTC/SNF) where the CNAs don't help eachother out with the Hoyer lift or people who should be a 2person assist. Then, when I would ask for help they would act like I was being lazy for not wanting to have a permanent back injury. I would have everything ready up to the point that I needed to go get help and people still had major attitudes. I think it's because people get used to not working as a team, and compromise the patient/their safety by "getting by". This is why I work in home health now.