unprofessionalism?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

I just started my first job as a LTC CNA (two days in) and I almost walked out yesterday, not because of the residents or the demands of the job of any of that. It's just that the staff (mostly the CNAs) are so crude and unprofessional. Most of them spend half of the shift on smoke breaks, cut corners whenever they can with resident care, and sit and text on their phones when they should be working. Also, the girls that were supposed to be "orienting" me basically ignored me the whole time and walked off and left me to stand at the nurse's station to wait from direction from someone, but I was the only person standing there, so then I got yelled at by another CNA for not answering call lights that were going off. I really want to stick this job out because I became a CNA as my first step to becoming an RN (I started pre-nursing classes this week, too). I wanted the clinical experience of being a CNA, and the nursing program here requires it as well.

So, fellow CNAs, does it get any better? Is the work environment like that for anyone else? Any advice?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I got out of the Navy I worked as a CNA for a while. I never had the experience you are going through. I did mostly travel/PRN jobs. I wouldn't really worry about it too much. Just do your job and watch your back. The RN's and LPN's along with administration will notice your work and it should be noted accordingly in your evals and pay raises. You'll be someone who they can trust and someone who families will seek for care of their loved ones. Not to mention it will make you much more comfortable in the clinical setting with your professors looking over your back. :D

Erick, RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I too just started my first CNA job and have never come across co-workers like this in my life. They are mean and nasty. They totally ignore me. I'm there ready, willing and able to help and learn the job and they won't help me. They don't like me to follow them around and get annoyed when I ask questions. I've now done 2 different floors and have gotten the same terrible attuitdes from everyone. Now I'm a nice person, and I'm always nice to people, I just don't get it. I love the residents, and the place is close to my house, the pay is great, but the co-worker are really making me not want to go there. They all go out a hundred times to smoke, I don't smoke, so I'm left there by myself to watch all the rooms. The other night I didn't get a dinner break or a break at all because I had so much work to finish, meanwhile everyone else took their breaks, and where sitting around talking and watching tv, while I ran around like a nut!! I hope it gets better....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I worked as a cna years ago. That is how it was back then too. but I learned my job and once I was able to work more on my own it was better. I am not sure what shift your on I started on nights but before long they moved my to days cause they said they needed a worker like me on days. So good luck keep with it I know it is a hard job but I truely think it is the most rewarding job I ever had. that is why I am trying to get back in school to become a nurse. oh also find a budding with your same work ethic and have her be your helper I know I use to ask a fellow cna to help me lift someone and they say yea and i would go wait in the pt room and they would never come help. I got a buddy she was on a differnt floor but she would come across to help me and I would go across to help her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I've worked in places like this before. My advice is to give it another day or two and see if it gets better. If it doesn't, then speak to the DON or charge to see if you can precept with a person who better fits your needs. It may be difficult because you don't want to tell someone that those training you don't train well, but you also need to learn and are willing to learn. That's important and I would want you to stay and would put you with a preceptor who is more positive and will actually show you the ropes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also just started a CNA job about a month ago. My facility doesn't sound as bad as yours (NOBODY can "hide" from the floor on a smoke break that long and I have seen people get written up for cutting corners with residents), I think there's some element of that with any type of CNA job you have (or, heck, ANY job). I guess my suggestions for you would be the following:

1.) Orientation was probably the most awkward time for me. You don't know the residents' routines/needs and you're at the mercy of whoever's doing your orientation. So just realize, as others already said, that you might be able to do things in a way that makes you much happier/more comfortable when you're on your own. If, however, trying to "make do" with a less-than-stellar person isn't working, I would start by trying to find a civil way to let them know (I had one orientator who worked wordlessly while I watched:rolleyes:-so I finally asked her if everything was ok, and then if she could TELL me some of what she was doing as I watched). If that doesn't work, I would approach the charge nurse/DON, and simply say that your orientation is not properly training you to take care of residents!

2) Tell those lazy CNAs that you're an orientee-if I'm not mistaken (at least in my facility) they don't answer lights independently!

3.) There will always be some lazy people who are cutting corners on their work. If you decide to stay, you just have to try and work around them and work as well as you know how. If smoke breaks are taking some off the floor for an eternity, maybe make a complaint to the administration (I know they recently started really trying to address the issue of some smokers taking extra-long breaks where I am). But I would say to leave if others' laziness is jeopardizing your job and ability to care for residents safely. For ex., if no one is around to help you with a two-person transfer or hoyer lift, that is too risky for everyone involved. You could be written up or fired and the resident could have any number of injuries.

Sorry about my loooong post :yawn:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked in places like that before.

Talk to your DON now- if that doesn't improve- find another place to work where they want to train you- Not all places are like that- so please don't quit we need people like you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Hello,

I am an LPN in a LTC facility, have been for 8 years, before I got my nursing license I was a CENA for 7 years. I have seen people like that in my opinion, people like that are only there for the paycheck, and basically don't care about their job, or the people they take care of. Just remind yourself why you are there, and where you are going. You are there to take care of the residents. When I go home at the end of the day, I know I have done my best that is what counts. I work with people like that, and that is what I do. I take care of my patients, there is not much that can be done about the "uncaring people" The nursing/cena shortage is to bad, management will not get rid of them. (have to have so many working hours to make state requirements) I don't want to sound like everyone is like that. I work with a lot of great caring CENA and Nurses. I also love my job despite some of the "bad apples"

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi CNA's,

I understand a lot of the frustration in the previous posts. I am now a RN but before i became one i was a CNA for 13 years. I had to constantly "fight" for respect from the nurses, other cna's, and other coworkers. I'm sorry for what i have read here because not all cna's are like that, unforunately, sometimes management thinks that because you are not a nurse that you come a dime a dozen. I once "let" sorry cna's and nurses talk me out of wanting to be a nurse, i started working in a bank because i was fed up with the treatment and the bad attitudes around me. Needless to say i was miserable, but tried to keep working there anyway. After two years, a lot of prayers to god, having people always tell me "oh you would make a great nurse! and some serious soul searching i decided that i must have been meant to be a nurse and in the nursing field. From that point on i realized that there are people who will not do their job, and will talk about you if you do yours, that's just the way things are.As i stated earlier i was a cna for 13 years and believe it or not looking back on my experiences i wouldn't change a thing! I had some bad things happen to me as a cna but i learned so much from being one. And although i'm a nurse now i love my cna and respect the ones whom really care about the pt's. So to those of you out there who really want to make a difference in someone's life; don't be discouraged by the negativity of others.

CNAS ROCK!!!!!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would tell the charge nurse that you feel you are not receiving the orientation you expected. This may not change people, but it puts the nurse on alert that you need more and she would have to deal with the behavior. It does get easier in time, though. I remember praying for an angel to help me to turn, lift and care for these people and suddenly, it started getting lighter and easier. Sometimes, people have to get used to the new person on the block. I am not saying that these CNAs you are working with are the best, but, sometimes, knowing one or two of them a bit better, you may see that they aren't ALL bad. But, if it continues, look for greener pastures, because bottom line is that you need the proper orientation/experience to be successful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I blame management for all of it.

No one needs a cell phone on the job...period. The hospitals have phones all over them. I have never worked for an employer that during an emergency, that you couldn't take a call if needed.

I also blame the RN's for not reporting it.

Try to stick it out, get your requirement for nursing school and get out...everything you learn in CNA school you will learn in your first semester anyway of nursing school.

No one needs that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I would tell the charge nurse that you feel you are not receiving the orientation you expected. This may not change people, but it puts the nurse on alert that you need more and she would have to deal with the behavior. It does get easier in time, though. I remember praying for an angel to help me to turn, lift and care for these people and suddenly, it started getting lighter and easier. Sometimes, people have to get used to the new person on the block. I am not saying that these CNAs you are working with are the best, but, sometimes, knowing one or two of them a bit better, you may see that they aren't ALL bad. But, if it continues, look for greener pastures, because bottom line is that you need the proper orientation/experience to be successful.

good advice pagandeva:up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment