"I'm on a break right now"

CoffeemateCNA · May 23, 2010

It makes me mad. MAAAAD.

Half the time they are not even really on a break. They just see that there is some unpleasant task to be done and all of a sudden pull the "I'm on a break card" because they know someone else (YOU!!) will have to take care of it.

One of these days I will pull out my gait belt and CRACK IT LIKE A BULLWHIP.

*snap*

Poi Dog · May 23, 2010

It makes me mad. MAAAAD.
Half the time they are not even really on a break. They just see that there is some unpleasant task to be done and all of a sudden pull the "I'm on a break card" because they know someone else (YOU!!) will have to take care of it.
One of these days I will pull out my gait belt and CRACK IT LIKE A BULLWHIP.
*snap*

:dancgrp:

Go get em!

:lol2:

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · May 23, 2010

It sounds like they're just saying they're "on break" when they don't want to deal with something- right? Because if they're on break you should not even be able to talk to them. They should be off the floor, away from everything... like, um, in the break room. Punched out.

Mom02895 · May 23, 2010

I have seen CNAs and Nurses do that when they really are not on break. First you are supposed to tell your Co workers your going on break. Its illegal to not have lunch break, supper break etc.. But I totally get the not have time thing, which is usually the facilities fault for giving one CNA way to much, being a CNA i think its wrong.

I was fired, for being a good CNA. While 4 CNAs were in the residents Day room watching TV when they were NOT on break. I worked 2nd shift. I had 14 residents of my own, and 10 lights going off and only 1 other co worker helping me, and we for saying something to them were fired. Why? I dont get it, I still dont 3 years later. That place was terrible. All those CNAs stunk. My aunt worked there 11 years and quit one day because The Director and Nurses were not doing anything about the Lazy staff.

mcnasty · May 23, 2010

trust me, this girl has never missed a break. she also takes 45 minute lunches and leaves us other 2 with a 15 minute lunch. we cant take the full 30 because lunch trays come out at 12 and we have to be on the floor to pass & feed. i found out today that she also has taken it upon herself to come in an hour early and leave an hour early. (a litttle deal her and the nurse made) .... (dont get me started on the nurse) i found out on my own. she did not tell anyone she was leaving. and apparently, she does this all the time. this especially irks me because i asked if i could do this because of child care reasons and was told no. whats good for the goose HAS TO BE good for the gander, but maybe thats why they were keeping it a secret. meanwhile from 2-3pm her residents lights are ringing nonstop. its abandonment as far as im concerned. in a recent staff meeting, we were told specifically by the DON that we are not even allowed to leave at 3pm unless our replacement cna (3-11) shift has arrived. so, if they are late, we have to stay late. failing to do so according to her was ABANDONING YOUR RESIDENTS so i ask myself, how can this be going on? this is the worst, most thankless job i have ever had. did i mention i took a 60% pay cut to become a CNA? i love my residents, but my co workers are seriously making it unbearable. i'm reconsidering the whole thing.

Poi Dog · May 23, 2010

trust me, this girl has never missed a break. she also takes 45 minute lunches and leaves us other 2 with a 15 minute lunch. we cant take the full 30 because lunch trays come out at 12 and we have to be on the floor to pass & feed. i found out today that she also has taken it upon herself to come in an hour early and leave an hour early. (a litttle deal her and the nurse made) .... (dont get me started on the nurse) i found out on my own. she did not tell anyone she was leaving. and apparently, she does this all the time. this especially irks me because i asked if i could do this because of child care reasons and was told no. whats good for the goose HAS TO BE good for the gander, but maybe thats why they were keeping it a secret. meanwhile from 2-3pm her residents lights are ringing nonstop. its abandonment as far as im concerned. in a recent staff meeting, we were told specifically by the DON that we are not even allowed to leave at 3pm unless our replacement cna (3-11) shift has arrived. so, if they are late, we have to stay late. failing to do so according to her was ABANDONING YOUR RESIDENTS so i ask myself, how can this be going on? this is the worst, most thankless job i have ever had. did i mention i took a 60% pay cut to become a CNA? i love my residents, but my co workers are seriously making it unbearable. i'm reconsidering the whole thing.

The bolded is a common thing to read around here. I wish I could choose my coworkers. They can make or break one's shift, yes?

My rule of thumb is this: take care of MY residents first. If I have time, than I will "assist" others but I make it clear that if my call light goes off, I am out. I wish my facility made people clock out for breaks. It's amazing how a time clock makes or keeps folk honest. :rolleyes:

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · May 23, 2010

i really dont mind helping out. i really dont. i find myself answering the call bells of my coworker as much as my own. but sometimes it is impossible to help your fellow cna's. sometimes you are in the middle of bathing or toileting a resident, or have a crisis of your own with your own assigned residents and sometimes all you can do is tell your fellow cna that she is needed because her resident has been calling her for 10 minutes waiting to use the bathroom (needs lift), and her roommate is covered in blood with a bloody nose (true story) but i think that the worst possible thing another cna can say to me is "mmmm hmmm they be alright, cuz im on my break right now"
makes my blood curdle.
deep breaths. deep breaths.
(i have NEVER had time for a break on day shift. NEVER)

When I worked day shift in "hell"(my nickname for my last facility,lol) I never had time either. I think I only took a lunch break twice in the two months I was there. Sure, I'd punch out, but only because if I didn't punch out for 30 minutes I would not get paid for that shift.Sucks huh? But the #1 that ****** me off about that place is ppl saying that they can't help because they're on break. If you're on a break, then *** are you doing standing around the nurses' station & carrying on a casual convo? Go outside, go to the break room..I don't care where you go, JUST GET OFF THE FLOOR!

caliotter3 · May 23, 2010

I would make it a habit to spend time in my resident's rooms so that I could not be forced to do this person's work for them. Go from room to room, looking for things to do for your residents and let the nurse worry about the call lights going off for the other CNA. The nurse won't be bothered to do anything about her if other CNAs can be counted on to answer her lights as well as their own. This sounds irresponsible, but really it isn't, as there is always something to be done for the residents that are assigned to you. Or, alternatively, make mention each time this happens to the charge nurse. Make it known outright that you don't feel you should be doing your assignment as well as the other person's. Tell the nurse you don't want to be known as a complainer, but it would be fair for the other person to do her work instead of spending time on a break when her call lights are going off. The nurse might supervise the other CNA if you cosistently bring this to her attention.

nobhill · May 24, 2010

I had to comment on this thread. While I'm still a student [i'm going into nursing from another career [employment attorney] and am taking classes right now.]

I can't believe how poorly run so many of these facilities so blatantly violate the wage and hour laws. At least in California, a lot of what you are saying, being forced to clock out but not taking breaks, not getting lunch, etc. would be grounds for a great wage claim lawsuit. Those cases are pretty straightforward. A good lawsuit might change things....

Maybe I should go back to practicing law? [Just FYI, the answer is no, the legal field has its own issues and jerks.]

annacnatorn · May 24, 2010

In my opinion, if your feet are on the floor, then your working...

If your patients need you, then you are to work....

If you are NICE TO YOUR FELLOW Nurses, they will help you...There is no I in team work....

NM nurse to be · May 26, 2010

My issue about breaks are the 'smoker's breaks'. My facility has scheduled times when the smokers take the smoker residents outside to gasp at their ciggies. This happens at least 3 times during day and evening shift. So at these times, ALL the smoker CNAs disappear outside for the 15 minute (PAID) smoke break.

So not only are they getting paid for 45 minutes that they did nothing but sit at the table and talk to each other, there is no one but the non-smokers left on the floor. Do you think we could get away with 'non-smoker fresh air' breaks with the non-smoking residents? I highly doubt it. It makes the rest of us angry but the smokers have rights too, according to management. And we don't, apparently.

It's almost enough to take up pretend-smoking just to even things up! I can hold one and cough like the rest seem to do I have no issue with smokers who manage to do it on their ACTUAL breaks but the ones who take advantage and leave at prime call-bell ringing time, 3 times per shift, really tick me off!