Unruly CNAs

Skippingtowork · May 28, 2017

Exactly what behavior then should nurses model for support staff? I had no idea that CNAs had such extensive criminal records.

I was not talkng about CNAs. Why would you say that? I was talking about the the people out there who have bad behaviors, but had positive behaviors modeled for them. They made poor choices in behavior despite the positive behaviors they saw. And of course nurses should model certain behaviors, but it does not guarantee the same behaviors in return.

NedRN · May 28, 2017

This discussion is about CNAs. How would we know you changed the subject very far afield indeed. In a workplace, we know the benefits of modeling behavior. You are talking about a much bigger topic with more variables. Even so, I can make a relevant comment now that I know you have changed the subject. The vast majority of child abusers were abused as a child. Environment is an important factor in drug abuse, crime, and gangs. I think such behavior in people raised in healthy environments represent a minuscule proportion of the bad behaving.

I stand by modeling best behaviors and setting a good example.

Skippingtowork · May 30, 2017

This discussion is about CNAs. How would we know you changed the subject very far afield indeed. In a workplace, we know the benefits of modeling behavior. You are talking about a much bigger topic with more variables. Even so, I can make a relevant comment now that I know you have changed the subject. The vast majority of child abusers were abused as a child. Environment is an important factor in drug abuse, crime, and gangs. I think such behavior in people raised in healthy environments represent a minuscule proportion of the bad behaving.
I stand by modeling best behaviors and setting a good example.

I always agreed with setting a good example, but the OP has a problem that needed addressing and I was pointing out that just because she sets a good example does not mean that the CNA behavior will change. My point about the criminals is that it is possible for people to make poor choices in behavior, despite the positive behaviors they have been exposed to. We don't even have to look at jailable offenses. Look at people with poor work ethics, those who are not always honest, taking things from their employer without permission, etc. It is not always someone else's fault.

NedRN · May 30, 2017

Blaming others is not a positive action and can only have negative results. That is what the OP did, and that you appear to be reinforcing as appropriate workplace behavior in defense of the OP. It is not. Identifying destructive behaviors and corrective action is positive, and that includes examining one's own behavior and others in the workplace to get the full picture. That is the manager's job of course, but everyone should take responsibility for their own actions and see if their own behavior is contributing to the negative behaviors. I'd suggest that much of the time one's own behavior is part of the problem (even if the issue predated your employment).

Were you not required to take sociology, communication, and psychology as part of your nursing program?

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 30, 2017

I always agreed with setting a good example, but the OP has a problem that needed addressing and I was pointing out that just because she sets a good example does not mean that the CNA behavior will change. My point about the criminals is that it is possible for people to make poor choices in behavior, despite the positive behaviors they have been exposed to. We don't even have to look at jailable offenses. Look at people with poor work ethics, those who are not always honest, taking things from their employer without permission, etc. It is not always someone else's fault.

How do we know that the OP is setting a good example? Because they said so? Because they're the one writing about the problem? What we know -- the facts of the situation -- is that the OP SAYS the CNAs are rude and lazy, not that they actually ARE rude and lazy. We also know -- just from reading the OP's posts -- that the OP has difficulty accepting constructive criticism and that they blame others for their problems. The CNA behavior probably won't change -- in all likelihood, the OP hasn't even bothered trying to work with them to establish a rapport or a working relationship. The OP has decided that the entire problem lies with the CNAs being rude and lazy, and not in their interactions with the OP.

Horsebytes · Jun 6, 2017

This is like watching a dog fight. One dog took the first bite and the pack came in to help finish the victim off. I used to come here more often but I get so sick of the frequent flyer's here monopolizing every post and conversation. Too bad we couldn't have a chat about those lazy good for nothing CNAs that we have to deal with every now and then. I once quit a job because management wouldn't back the nurses. I had a CNA tell me she didn't work on Sundays, as it was her day of rest! What the heck, then why was she on the clock and at work? No thanks, I took my license and went elsewhere. I now work with some of the best CNA's ever and if we have a problem, management backs us up to resolve it.

NedRN · Jun 7, 2017

You are staff? I cab completely sympathize as much of these issues are management and you are stuck for a remedy long term if management is poor. Quitting your job is the only real fix other than becoming a manager. Travelers only suffer short term so we have little recourse or particular incentive have a positive effect. However, travelers can be the problem fitting into an existing culture in a limited amount of time. I was the first response to the OP, and it wasn't a bite at all if you read it again. But all of her posts suggest that in this case her attitude was the problem. I can only guess that is why others "piled" on. Certainly in no way does she appear to be a good example and set a positive precedent for travelers that follow her.

As to a constructive conversation about cliques in the hospital that underperform, I'm sure you can start such a conversation better than this OP did. Not doubt there are many very long threads about CNAs here, but of course the culture and personalities involved are very different in every hospital, and indeed unit (travelers or floaters know this well). There is little we can do from here to really diagnose the problem and suggest constructive actions and of course that is always a hospital or unit management issue (or HR).

fifita2010 · Jun 12, 2017

While I understand Ned's context on this subject, I have been where you are many, many times.

I have heard CNAs telling patients they are the nurse. I've had them be rude and lazy. But now after a long time dealing with that, I work in the NICU and we don't use CNAs. So instead of spending my time being diplomatic and understanding of this behavior, I can now use all the extra time taking more care of my patients.