Resigned from my job yesterday.....

[jpoetic3]

I resigned my CNA position yesterday. Sometimes the hardest things to do are the easiest decisions. This puts me ina state of financial crisis, but at least I can look myself in the mirror and feel good. I received an invite for an exit interview, but I feel as if I said it all in my letter of resignation...what are your opinions?

I have been employed with ********* since 10/4/04 and have been uncomfortable with some of the practices that I have witnessed at ******* in regards to patient care and the practices of some C.N.A's.

I have been through an "orientation" period of three weeks. During this orientation period, I was introduced to the various healthcare units and began to become familiar with the residents and their needs. Initially, I felt this process was being handled efficiently, and in an educational manner. However, when staff was short, I was thrown into assignments. I felt the orientation lacked in training of how different prosthetic devices are used. I received no training at all concerning residents who are on any kind of precautions. I learned about precautions as I entered a room with a specific "cart" in front of then room, not knowing what that meant until afterwards. I feel that considering the number of residents, and that I was expected to work with them all, I did not have enough time to learn what each individuals needs were to work independently. Although I did the best I could under the circumstances, I still felt that if I had been properly orientated, I could've done better.

I found that there are language barriers existing. For instance, a majority of the C.N.A.s employed are of Indian descent and speak the Indian language on a regular basis. This is during working hours, and while working with residents I find it difficult to understand.

I have come to find that this facility seems to have C.N.A.'s that in general, are more concerned about their break times, who they will be on break with, and to make sure that this schedule is not interrupted. I was recently admonished by another C.N.A. for not retrieving two room trays, which made her late for her break. The residents were still eating. I will not take nourishment away from elderly residents that need all they can get. The C.N.A. ignored me for the remainder of the day when I informed her of the aforementioned.

Another occasion that sticks out concerns the lack of guidance the other C.N.A.'s are willing to give. There are things that are not taught in Allied Health courses, such as how to apply a prosthetic leg or prosthetic devices in general. On one of my assignments I had two residents that had such apparatus. Luckily, the first resident was alert enough and independent enough to instruct me on how to properly apply her leg. I could find no help at the time. Unfortunately, the second resident was unable to speak, so could not help me. She needed to be showered and brought to mass services per the family's request. After searching for a standing hoyer lift for 45 minutes, I was able to get the resident to the toilet. This is after I asked ****, who was assigned to a different unit, to explain to me how to properly apply the lift. She did, thankfully, because no one else would. I then brought the resident to the shower and showered her, and started to dress her. Not wanting to leave her in the shower alone, I pulled the cord to get the attention of one of the aides to help me apply her prosthetic "boots" correctly. The C.N.A. admonished me for using this method to get her attention, as "she was busy with residents as well." I told her I have never applied these kinds of braces before and would like to be shown how. She said it was "no big deal", just put them on her feet, left and right accordingly, and stand her up. Then she left me, laughing on her way out. The residents' feet were severely contracted and did not fit the boots properly. If I applied these incorrectly and stood the resident up, and the resident fell due to my ignorance of proper procedure, that would be my fault, and that would be the end of my aspirations of becoming a nurse, for which I am currently attending school for.

I have witnessed C.N.A.'s being forceful with residents, and raising their voices in frustration at the residents. I have witnessed C.N.A.'s hiding in locker rooms on their cell phones, while call lights go unanswered. I have witnessed "private caregivers" napping alongside the residents they are hired to be a companion of. I have been given advice from C.N.A.'s to add a diaper to a resident on the special care unit (SDAT), and then to add a pullup over the diaper so to facilitate changing him after lunch, because he was difficult. I was then cautioned to keep this practice to myself should I choose to use this course of care. This has set up red flags in my mind in almost every unit to which I feel I cannot, in good conscience, be a part of. It seems that when proper procedure is followed, it's only under the threat of an auditor being present. I cannot and will not compromise resident safety. I cannot work under the conditions that seem very hostile and uninviting to new C.N.A.s. I cannot work in an environment exhibiting such unprofessionalism.

Therefore, it is with great regret that I feel I must resign my current position of C.N.A. with ********** effective immediately.

Do you think this is enough said? Also, I want to report my observations of this facility. Would this info go to JACHO?

Unemployed but conscience intact, I'm going back to office work. When I get my RN, my goal has switched to becoming a DON in a LTC facility so that this will not happen.Sheesh.

[boulergirl, CNA]

Yay! You finally did it! :balloons:

Everyone I know has been begging me to leave my job for four years because of the crap I've put up with (your experience was 10x worse than mine though). You at least had the guts to walk away from a bad job even though it put you in a financial bind. Carpe Diem! Good luck in your next job, and in pursuing your RN.

[Vanfnp]

I think a letter of resignation should be to the point, along the lines of "I submit my resignation effective whenever, my last day will be whenever". Your concerns about the facility need to be aired during the exit interview. Otherwise I fear your letter will go unread or dismissed and you do not want to burn any bridges. Articulating your concerns regarding staff and orientation is more appropriate to an exit interview. Remember, healthcare staffing is mobile, you do not want to burn bridges!

[SmilingBluEyes]

I agree with Vanrn.

[MryRose]

I resigned my CNA position yesterday. Sometimes the hardest things to do are the easiest decisions. This puts me ina state of financial crisis, but at least I can look myself in the mirror and feel good. I received an invite for an exit interview, but I feel as if I said it all in my letter of resignation...what are your opinions?

I have been employed with ********* since 10/4/04 and have been uncomfortable with some of the practices that I have witnessed at ******* in regards to patient care and the practices of some C.N.A's.

I have been through an "orientation" period of three weeks. During this orientation period, I was introduced to the various healthcare units and began to become familiar with the residents and their needs. Initially, I felt this process was being handled efficiently, and in an educational manner. However, when staff was short, I was thrown into assignments. I felt the orientation lacked in training of how different prosthetic devices are used. I received no training at all concerning residents who are on any kind of precautions. I learned about precautions as I entered a room with a specific "cart" in front of then room, not knowing what that meant until afterwards. I feel that considering the number of residents, and that I was expected to work with them all, I did not have enough time to learn what each individuals needs were to work independently. Although I did the best I could under the circumstances, I still felt that if I had been properly orientated, I could've done better.

I found that there are language barriers existing. For instance, a majority of the C.N.A.s employed are of Indian descent and speak the Indian language on a regular basis. This is during working hours, and while working with residents I find it difficult to understand.

I have come to find that this facility seems to have C.N.A.'s that in general, are more concerned about their break times, who they will be on break with, and to make sure that this schedule is not interrupted. I was recently admonished by another C.N.A. for not retrieving two room trays, which made her late for her break. The residents were still eating. I will not take nourishment away from elderly residents that need all they can get. The C.N.A. ignored me for the remainder of the day when I informed her of the aforementioned.

Another occasion that sticks out concerns the lack of guidance the other C.N.A.'s are willing to give. There are things that are not taught in Allied Health courses, such as how to apply a prosthetic leg or prosthetic devices in general. On one of my assignments I had two residents that had such apparatus. Luckily, the first resident was alert enough and independent enough to instruct me on how to properly apply her leg. I could find no help at the time. Unfortunately, the second resident was unable to speak, so could not help me. She needed to be showered and brought to mass services per the family's request. After searching for a standing hoyer lift for 45 minutes, I was able to get the resident to the toilet. This is after I asked ****, who was assigned to a different unit, to explain to me how to properly apply the lift. She did, thankfully, because no one else would. I then brought the resident to the shower and showered her, and started to dress her. Not wanting to leave her in the shower alone, I pulled the cord to get the attention of one of the aides to help me apply her prosthetic "boots" correctly. The C.N.A. admonished me for using this method to get her attention, as "she was busy with residents as well." I told her I have never applied these kinds of braces before and would like to be shown how. She said it was "no big deal", just put them on her feet, left and right accordingly, and stand her up. Then she left me, laughing on her way out. The residents' feet were severely contracted and did not fit the boots properly. If I applied these incorrectly and stood the resident up, and the resident fell due to my ignorance of proper procedure, that would be my fault, and that would be the end of my aspirations of becoming a nurse, for which I am currently attending school for.

I have witnessed C.N.A.'s being forceful with residents, and raising their voices in frustration at the residents. I have witnessed C.N.A.'s hiding in locker rooms on their cell phones, while call lights go unanswered. I have witnessed "private caregivers" napping alongside the residents they are hired to be a companion of. I have been given advice from C.N.A.'s to add a diaper to a resident on the special care unit (SDAT), and then to add a pullup over the diaper so to facilitate changing him after lunch, because he was difficult. I was then cautioned to keep this practice to myself should I choose to use this course of care. This has set up red flags in my mind in almost every unit to which I feel I cannot, in good conscience, be a part of. It seems that when proper procedure is followed, it's only under the threat of an auditor being present. I cannot and will not compromise resident safety. I cannot work under the conditions that seem very hostile and uninviting to new C.N.A.s. I cannot work in an environment exhibiting such unprofessionalism.

Therefore, it is with great regret that I feel I must resign my current position of C.N.A. with ********** effective immediately.

Do you think this is enough said? Also, I want to report my observations of this facility. Would this info go to JACHO?

Unemployed but conscience intact, I'm going back to office work. When I get my RN, my goal has switched to becoming a DON in a LTC facility so that this will not happen.Sheesh.

I applaud you!! Your candor regarding the situation is detailed in a professional manner and having trained as a CNA I completely understand the frustrations you have mentioned. I personally chose not to work as a CNA after training as I knew morally I would have daily conflicts with the care given around me. The things you relate certainly are indicative of the facility that trained me.

The stories I hear from my pre-nursing buddies who are working as CNA's while attending school make my skin crawl! One resident was dropped from a lift a distance of 4 ft onto her skull by a CNA who was not trained for that lift. The pt was put back into bed and the staffing spent the remainder of the day trying to determine how this could be handled so no add'l paperwork would have to be written. The doctor was not called.... the pt received only add'l watches. Several days later she ended up comotose, transported to the hospital with hematomas to her brain. She barely survived after a lengthy stay however she can no longer speak or communicate. By the way, she had no family members to speak for her.... this was something that the nursing staff seemed to be thankful about.

I think you should attend the exit interview in order to calmy reiterate the situations stated in your letter. To me it would be imperative that the facility knew the letter was not written in haste, but reflected my genuine concern for the care and health of the residents. I do not think I would express my desire to return as the DON, but of your plans to return to LTC with the desire to instill better resident care.

I hope you are ableto find another job quickly. I think you totally rock tho!

MaryRose

[no er holds]

You are my hero! Do the exit interview...and submit the letter to Medicare (they have different fraud investigations units in each state). Most SNFs change their practices when their primary source of income starts an investigation. These residents did not spend their entire lives working to make sure they had Medicare when they retired only to be treated so poorly. Good Luck!

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Medicare AND the state ombudsman, and the state dss...most ECF clients are on Medicaid where I live. I might even include the governor's office and the AARP.

My resignation letter would have been. I resign my position at ___. My last day at work will be ___/___/____.

_____signature (NO yours truly etc)

[Maggie in NC]

Medicare AND the state ombudsman, and the state dss...most ECF clients are on Medicaid where I live. I might even include the governor's office and the AARP.

My resignation letter would have been. I resign my position at ___. My last day at work will be ___/___/____.

_____signature (NO yours truly etc)

I totally agree! If you're going to go through the trouble to tell the facility how you feel (which I admire) you need to tell EVERYONE!!

GOOD FOR YOU!!

[jpoetic3]

Thank you all for your input. I have no one else to go to for advice concerning the politics of this type of situation. I appreciate the help and advice.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

Jen, that is a great thing you're doing! I don't have any advice about the letter, I've never had to give a resignation letter, but I think the other posters have given great advice regarding that.

I give you major kudos for standing up like that, and being such a great advocate for all of those clients at the LTC :) Good luck with school, you're going to be a fabulous nurse!

[no er holds]

Good luck to you...a smart employer will have gotten themselves a gem when they hire you!

[lifeisbeautiful]

I totally agree! If you're going to go through the trouble to tell the facility how you feel (which I admire) you need to tell EVERYONE!!

GOOD FOR YOU!!

I was just going to say that!

I worked in an extended care facility when I first graduated from Nursing school. I could tell you horror stories that would make our head spin. I am just amazed that the State turns their head to all of the problems. Very sad to say the least.

I have had a lot of jobs over the years/growing up (including being a CNA) and I have to say that the job as a CNA is one of the most difficult, under paid and thankless jobs out there. It's too bad because facilities cannot survive without great CNAs.

From your letter, you sound like an extremely intelligent and articulate person. This is the facilities loss that you are leaving and I commend you for standing up for yourself and for what is right.