Tired of feeling unappreciated and disrespected.

[allisontodd]

I am a CNA in a Skilled Care Facility. I've been here for almost two years, and me and many of my coworkers have had the misfortune of dealing with administration that treats us like crap! For example, there is a Floor Nurse, an LPN, that talks to us with no respect, is never polite, and is the type of nurse who will walk into a room with a call light on, walk in, not turn it off, and then get an aide to pull the covers over a resident. I mean, come on!!! I went to administration about this and was basically told, "She's your supervisor, she doesn't have to be polite to you." Now correct me if I'm wrong, but that is complete crap. Not only that, but I had hurt my back last week and I was put on light duty. Since then I have been working a 7a-3p shift instead of my usual 6a-2p. I take vitals, pass water, and help with any ADLs that do not require me to lift, bend, or twist. Because of that, I often find myself with not much to do. Today I was supposed to go to a baby shower that started at 3pm, so I called the on call nurse to ask if I could leave a mere hour early since light duty work couldn't be covered by another aide. She told me no, and I said thanks anyway. She barely said two words to me and then hung up. I am always friendly and greet her in the mornings when she gets to work and she never says hello back, or smiles at me. Am I just overreacting? I just wanted to be treated like a normal human being, not some speck of dirt beneath administration's shoe. Sorry, I just had to rant! Any others feel the same way?

[bmenyea]

Greetings,

I empathize with you in regard to your feelings. I have been an RN for the past three years. I happen to look very young and many times older RNs give me a hard time. Unfortunately, some people at various levels try to feel more important than they really are. The situation you described sounds like the LPN could be on a "power trip," or "ego trip." More often than not, many unhappy people love to transfer their negative energy onto others. Your cheerful Spirit may potentially make her blood boil! At the end of the day, never let another human being steal your joy.

Even as a RN, there are many times that I recently question myself and my future towards nursing. My current place of employment has discouraged me and has broken my Spirit towards nursing. I try to stay encouraged with the help of fellow nurses, but nursing can be grueling and nasty. I will do my best to learn better ways of coping with such as negative situation.

The saddest part about the not being happy as a RN is that I worked extremely hard to become an RN, and I feel like I am being defeated by nasty unhappy nurses. My best advice to you and anyone els who may share similar feelings is to stay strong, remain focused, and enjoy life!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

This does not have anything to do with age. Nasty doesn't discriminate. There can be a ton of contributing factors, but non of them excuse this type of behavior. The type of interactions described by the OP may be construed as a "hostile work environment" - from a legal perspective.

I encourage the OP, and anyone else who is experiencing this, to make a written, formal complaint via their existing chain of command. If the supervisor is the source, you need to go up the ladder. Make sure you also report this to HR. Be very specific in terms of dates, times, and exactly what happened. Of course, there is a very real risk of termination, but if this happens, you could take legal action.