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.
Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.
Just to let you know you're not alone, I resigned from my nursing assistant job last week. Quite frankly, I just didn't want to be an aide anymore and I wanted to be able to be fully devoted to school.
Congratulations on your decision and don't burn your bridges with the pen.
Personally I would have not written the letter that you did. I would simply state that I was resigning give the date and leave it at that. I also do not do exit interviews.
Exit interviews are not for your benefit. They are to cover the back side of the employer. For example to insure that you state that you were treated fairly or some such. Often getting you to sign statements that protect the employer. (I know this because I am an employer and business owner and have been educated in the use of exit interviews.)
With that said, your letter was dispasionate and you said exactly what was wrong. You demonstrated that you care. The person who just leaves or the customer who just leaves without explaination does not care. The one who complains loudely and who tells you what the problem is should be listened to and thanked because he does care.
This DON has no excuse now not to fix this because there is now written documentation about exactly what the problems are. If she is a mature person (developmentaly not physically) she will recognize the gift you gave her and sincerly thank you. She will not condem you.
On the other hand if she is defensive she will not appreciate this nor will she fix it. That being the case you do not want to work with her in the future at perhaps another place. But if this is the case you would not want to work with her even if you had not told her how you feel.
wonderbee, BSN, RN
1 Article; 2,212 Posts
Just to let you know you're not alone, I resigned from my nursing assistant job last week. Quite frankly, I just didn't want to be an aide anymore and I wanted to be able to be fully devoted to school.
Congratulations on your decision and don't burn your bridges with the pen.