Sleeping aides at work

[sasha2lady]

I had the pleasure tonight of walking in a room that is supposed to be for charting by aides and nurses and discovered one of our slackest aides with her head down eyes closed fast asleep . I stood beside her and looked at her she never even heard me open the door she never budged. I thought at first 'she must just have her head down she can't be asleep surely..' then I saw that her eyes were closed. We were already short a nurse and an aide so I just thought about my options: A give her a rude awakening and send her home B write her up C do nothing. So I ended up quietly backing out and I slammed the door telly hard to get her up which worked within minutes but she didn't know I was the one who came in on her. Then I informed one of my three superiors of my plan of action. Then I wrote it up and put copies on the ADONs door sealed. I had my co nurses sign with me. She was on a hall that needs close monitoring and she failed to do this plus she couldve been out helping the other aides because I know they were struggling. As much as I dislike her job performance my hands are tied . She already hates me and doesn't take instruction well at all. She is extremely moody and unpredictable except for her slackness. I didn't want to write her up but she gave me no choice. The DON never follows up on writeups or anything when we complain about bad aides so that's why I left it for the ADON she's new and seems to be no nonsense. She might actually do something about it. I know she will deny being asleep but I know what I saw. Her breathing didn't even change when I walked in nor did a single part of her move in any way. If by some chance she gets fired (she's had multiple writeups) or suspended it wl be quite tense between us I'm sure and I dread that. I despise drama and tension with any. Coworker but sure enough if I left this alone I would be the one to get in trouble. Any advise on how to deal with tension w coworkers? Did I do the right thing? I think this would be a huge safety issue.

[HealingBalm]

I wish you the very best. :redbeathe

[regnurse1995]

Thank you so much. This was a hard dilemma to deal with but the good news is that there seems to be less tension between the rest of the aides since she's been gone. There are some that still need to improve but that will need to come from mgmt . I've done all I can do for them. I think it scared the others thy barely go in that room I caught her sleeping in now. Now, if mgmt would just do something about the ones who call in all the time we might get ahead for once. I don't think pay rates make it ok to nap. I did cna work for 6 years and never slept. They are paid to perform a job and to do it safely and effectively. The excuse " I napped because I make 8/hour" wouldn't hold in court

No, it's no excuse, I just think the help would improve overall with higher pay. Why in the world are we paying CNA'S such crummy rages and expecting them to do some things people would never dream of?

[calif-me]

I've seen RNs on duty taking catnaps. I'm the new kid on the block, so I haven't said anything, but one of the aides told me the unit manager came in one night just to catch the "sleepers". I do know that these two nurses in particular have another job. I could never even try to hold down another job in addition to this one. I need my coffee and to keep moving!

[regnurse1995]

I've seen RNs on duty taking catnaps. I'm the new kid on the block, so I haven't said anything, but one of the aides told me the unit manager came in one night just to catch the "sleepers". I do know that these two nurses in particular have another job. I could never even try to hold down another job in addition to this one. I need my coffee and to keep moving!

You should be able to speak to someone about this if you ever feel any patients lives are in danger.

[sasha2lady]

ahhhh...well...the communication has went straight to the sewers since our DON took over 3 yrs ago.....all communication we had in the building nursing wise....left when she came in. You can talk and talk and talk to her.....she never hears a single word you say. You can put it in writing, same thing. You never get a response from her. Now....when its a family member or a higher up crawling on her about something....then we get some communication in the house. I didnt make near what I make now as a nurse...when I was an aide but I feel like if one desires to make more money....then do what it required in order to reach that goal....I actually didnt pursue nursing for the money....I only wanted job security and to have a job that I could do well into my later years without ruining my body physically with all the lifting. I do like making more money but every dollar I make is well earned. I lived off of pocket change the entire time I was in school....barely scraped by on working weekends as an aide. I had to let my health insurance go and everything just to go to nursing school. It was worth it despite the many hurdles Ive had to jump over since Ive been licensed. My favorite thing about this work is that it keeps my mind sharp...I learn something every day. Thanks for all your advice fellow posters.