Update

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

Thanks for the update Sue. I think you sound like a great manager!

allnurses Guide · Apr 16, 2012

Thanks for the update. At least she used the incident to reflect on her life situation instead of maintaining the defensive and obfuscating behavior she showed the day you were able to hear her interactions with other staff members. :up:

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2012

Ahh.. yes . Nothing like the last word.

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Apr 17, 2012

It's funny, but as I was reading your original thread it occurred to me that this sounded like a nurse who didn't give a rats behind. The fact that she was "caught" several times, and then persisted in the behavior is not someone who wants to keep their position. She had already moved on in her head I guess. She had quit some time ago and was just going through the motions of showing up.

LobotRN, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

Sue, I would work for a manager like you any day. Recently I had 5 ortho post ops (POD 1) and 2 medical on my assignment with a CNA who was primarily mine, but I had to "share" a little bit. Anyway, let me say that my CNA is fantastic and the backbone of a fresh load like that. Water, BR, reposiitoning, I/O docs, VS, CNA hourly rounding, etc she does with amazing accuracy AND speed.....but when the IV goes off, she won't touch it! I don't blame her. How hard is it to ask a pt to place their left arm relatively straight position and then press "reset" and "start?" Not hard at all, BUT that is not her scope of practice, and she is well aware that a "distal line occlusion" doesn't always mean "bent arm." Sometime it is, and sometimes not, and more recently it has been an IV going bad that needs RN assessment and intervention.....

Franjcamp · Apr 17, 2012

I did not read the original thread, but I just want to reflect on my life's experiences as a nurse who has worked in the same hospital 25 years. I saw nurses who were in their forties and by the time 25 years passed, they were tired and frazzled and truly did need a change of pace. Sometimes 25 years doesn't have to pass to need a change of pace. I have been full-time, part-time, PRN and have worked 3 floors and some other jobs while I was on PRN status. Maybe she was just burned out. I went PRN once because I didn't like the nurse manager I was working under. When a nursing position makes ones life miserable, its time to bail. Nothing is harder to work with then an individual with a negative attitude. You are right to wish her luck and hopefully she will be happier.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

once the real issue comes to light, one can appreciate the acuity...thanks for the up-date, wishing the parties involved the best.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2012

Last week I started a thread about a nurse I had written up over some things that had happened at the nurse's station with one of the CNAs. This morning this nurse brought me her two week notice. She admitted that she has been looking for an easier job for some time, and will now be working in a local clinic. She feels that the Monday through Friday hours will be better for her, and the work will not be as difficult. I wish her luck, but feel that this job may not be as ideal as she thinks it will be.
I also want to clarify some of the issues from the last thread. That thread went way off track. Instead of discussing accountability and integrity, we ended up discussing whether or not an RN should be required to perform "CNA work. I am not complaining because I participated as well. But there were details I did not disclose in the thread, both for brevity and so that the situation could not be easily identified if anyone familiar with the issue happened to be a member of this board. There was much more involved in this situation. There was the issue of the RN refusing to help the aide with an IV, something the aide was not permitted to do herself. And there was also the matter of the RN lying about what happened. The dishonesty was the major issue she was written up for.

Sue....As a manager/supervisor, I too, would have not tolerated that behavior. It drives me insane when I see these posts about how can I gain the respect of the CNA"s or how do I get the CNA's to do their jobs. My feeling is that if you lead by example the rest will follow. I have spoke to many nurses about the "patient in 202 needs a pan" when they just left the room and "I have nursing things to do" doesn't fly. Put the patient on the pan, tell the aide you have xyz to do could they please go check on her in a minute. It's a combined effort.

If I distinctly heard something and called the nurse in the moment and she lied.....I would reprimand them as well. If they can bold face lie....what else are they not forthright with and lack integrity over all. I am not an advocate of your, patient, my patient they are OUR patients. While a RN duty may take precidence over what is the customary CNA responsibility it doesn't mean she should never assume the CNA's "responsibility" because it is "beneath" her.

I hope this employee finds the clinic "easier". But during flu/cold season I'll be willing to bet she will get her behind handed to her on a platter on an occasion or two......and it won't seem so easy.

I think you acted as a good manager would.....consequences for your actions.

Vespertinas · Apr 17, 2012

And you don't look like the bad guy for firing her