Rant

[bakpakr]

I just have to blow off some steam here so.....

I have been working as a CNA for the past 2 weeks. I work at a county facility. I am scheduled to take my test on the 10th of Jan and right now plan on canceling the test appointment. Last friday we got a new admit. He was in my room and is the type that as soon as he hits the call bell he expects someone to appear before he releases the button. I explained to him numerous times that I have other residents to care for so it may take a few minutes to get to him. He still feels that we should jump as soon as he hits the button but thankfully he is not mine anymore as he is in another section. Well this same individual claimed on the day of his admit that he received no care. I was called on the carpet and they investigated and found his claim unfounded. I was informed that this same individual was admitted to another facility 3 times and each time made the same accusation. His wife informed us that he likes to make claims of mistreatment and neglect. Than GOD I don't have him anymore.

Now for tonight. In my section I have a number of 2 assists and a few mechanical lifts and our facility requires that with mech lifts 2 cna's must be there. There are 4 of us on the floor and one is great at helping as needed if she is not real busy. The other two when I ask for help get an attitude and mumble under their breath. I get my residents set up that all we have to do is the lift or transfer prior to asking for help. Tonight I had one lady set up got the help I needed to lift and transfer her to her bed so I could do her care. Now this lady likes to climb OOB and is a fall risk so she sleeps in a fallout chair. Well I completed her PM care asked for help placing her in the fallout chair. I had to wait 45 minutes before someone would help me. With her on the bed I could not leave her alone if I would have I would have had to fill out an incident report because she would have climbed out of bed and fallen. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR now I had another resident who was a mechanical lift all hooked up and ready to lift. I asked for help. It took 1 hour before someone came to help me. In that time she fell asleep. While waiting I was able to do the PM care on some other residents. Needless to say I fell way behind. Now I can physically do the lifts and some of the transfers myself but I REFUSE to jeopardize my job by doing things against policy. The two girls on with me were extremely upset with me because I fell behind. And when I opened my mouth about having to wait for help that really set them off. Also the way they treat the residents appalls me. The roll them around like sacks of potatoes. The residents really have no say in their care. I am not talking about demented or mentally impaired residents either. If the don't want to eat they are forced to eat. I was taught that the residents are the boss and if the don't want to do something they don't have to.

I made the decision that I am not retuning to that facility. I may be way off base here and still have that newbie mentality but come on. Sorry this got long winded but I needed to blow off steam. Thanks for letting me.

[Button2006]

i really hope you don't give up. i say stand your ground and stick with it at least until you have something else lined up. please take the exam. being a cna is not an easy job and the politics involved in nursing will always be there.

i am not a cna yet but i have already heard about 'experienced' cnas who will try to get you to do things their way but not the facility's way. i have already made up my mind to never take dangerous shortcuts. i think not using the proper material to move and life patients in dangerous. i happen to like my back. so, if me and that patient have to wait and things get behind then so be it. they can be upset all they want but someone should have made more of an effort to help you out so that you don't get behind.

attitudes and lazy people are always going to be around. you will constantly run into cnas, lpns, nurses, and mds who probably shouldn't have even entered the medical field. and you are going to want to :trout: and you will get :angryfire sometimes but know that this is part of the job.

do your very best, do your job right, and that will teach people not to try to get over on your. they will know that when bakpakr is working it is time to be about the business. those who don't do things right may not like you. i would rather be disliked then to put my patient's health and my own health at risk.

best of luck to you,

~button

[dria]

i don't have any advice to offer...i just wanted to comment that it's nice to see you back online and using that cna. i'm sorry you're having such a rough time...hope things turn out well for you.

how have you been?

[Diary/Dairy, RN]

Bakpakr - I am glad you were able to get a job as a CNA, sorry to hear that things have been difficult. It's just good to see that you did not give up on your dream......

[bakpakr]

Well tonight was a total 180. We had our normal crew on tonight and things went great. Everyone worked together. The two girls that gave me a major headache on Thurs were not there. Thank GOD hehe. I have been told by everyone that the work is hard. But I am not seeing it. But then again when you enjoy what you do it makes it seem easy. I do work hard but my background prior to getting back into the Med field was more physically demanding so that makes my perspective on being a CNA different. On the way home tonight I was on such a high because I had a great time at work. And one of my favorite residents once again ripped my heart out. She told me tonight that I do a good job and make her comfortable. I enjoy my residents so much. Another one of my residents keeps telling me she is going to fix me up with her daughter hehe. Well time for bed catch yall later.

[mrsraisinkain]

I'm glad to hear tonight went better, bakpakr. I was going to say that you worked so hard to get into and get through your CNA classes that it would be a shame for you not to use them. I can tell you're an excellent aid. You have overcome so many obstacles, don't let another one get you down :)

[DreamyEyes]

Yikes! I just wanted to say that I know how you feel, so you're definitely not alone! Some days are pure hell, others remind you why you went into this field. And the co-workers that you work with DEFINITELY make the day either great or horrible.

I'm glad to hear that your night went better. :icon_hug:

[JaredCNA, CNA]

i am not a cna yet but i have already heard about 'experienced' cnas who will try to get you to do things their way but not the facility's way.

i concur.

as a somewhat 'experienced' cna (about a year now, 5 nights a week) please don't follow what 'experienced' cna's do.

we have bad shortcuts. lol

[bakpakr]

I think another update is in order. I feel things have finally clicked for me. I have been able to get my work done on time and completely. It feels good to be able to do that.

My residents are so great. They do have their moments though. One in particular really pulls at my heartstrings. She asked me lastnight if I was working today and I told her I was off today. Well she started to cry. I assured her that I would be back on Thursday which helped her to relax a bit. I told one of the other girls about this and she just said well she does that. Well I don't care if she just does that or not. I know it upset her that I was not going to be her caregiver tonight. She made me choke up a bit I had to beat a hasty retreat or I would have lost it myself.

At first I was questioning myself and wondering if I had made the right decision. Well now I KNOW I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. I really like what I do. Well like is to soft a word I LOVE WHAT I DO.

[Button2006]

i am so happy things are working out for you! excellent! :balloons:

[dria]

hooray!!!!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

You will see lazy people all over the place from the DON on down. It also takes time to get used to working in any position, so, I am glad that you were patient with yourself. If you see that your co-workers are not assisting you, tell the nurse. She is ultimately responsible for patient care-it is her license. A question I have is do these lazy aides ask for your assistance? If they do, you can say "Sure, I can help you, but while you are here, I need your help with this..." If they don't, then, say that it is not fair that you exert yourself and they don't do the same. Good luck. And, I am glad you are enjoying your job.